3" vs 3.5" Magblend Numbers...

[TheSportsman]

What have you guys noticed numbers wise on 3" vs 3.5" magnum blend loads??

[decoykrvr]

Historically, there has been such variability on shot sizes and percentages/number of shot by lot, I have found it extremely difficult to attempt to obtain hard numbers data on both the 3" and 3 1/2" MagBlends.  I don't even count numbers on MagBlends like I do with other turkey loads, however, I evaluate the patterns by looking at a 5" core, 10" core and 20" even dispersal.  I stands to reason that with more shot you will have more "shot on the pattern" w/ the 3 1/2" vs the 3" shells, but interestingly, I have patterned several 3 1/2" shotguns which pattern the 3" MagBlends better than the 31/2" shells.  Most shotguns pattern the MagBlends better w/ a more open choke than used w/ straight 6's or 7's.  Other than Nitro's, the MagBlends are the hardest kicking 3" and 3 1/2" turkey shells which I have ever shot, but the overall patterns and tremendous knock-down of the shells is impressive.

[allaboutshooting]

Historically, there has been such variability on shot sizes and percentages/number of shot by lot, I have found it extremely difficult to attempt to obtain hard numbers data on both the 3" and 3 1/2" MagBlends.  I don't even count numbers on MagBlends like I do with other turkey loads, however, I evaluate the patterns by looking at a 5" core, 10" core and 20" even dispersal.  I stands to reason that with more shot you will have more "shot on the pattern" w/ the 3 1/2" vs the 3" shells, but interestingly, I have patterned several 3 1/2" shotguns which pattern the 3" MagBlends better than the 31/2" shells.  Most shotguns pattern the MagBlends better w/ a more open choke than used w/ straight 6's or 7's.  Other than Nitro's, the MagBlends are the hardest kicking 3" and 3 1/2" turkey shells which I have ever shot, but the overall patterns and tremendous knock-down of the shells is impressive.

I have shot quite a few of the MB shells in the last 12-18 months patterning guns and chokes for some of my readers. I've shot the 5,6,7 and the 4,5,7 shells in 3". I have a couple of cases of the 3.5" shells but have not shot any of them in quite a while.

The "original" MB in 5,6,7 had a lot of recoil. The newer 4,5,7 shells are mild by comparison. They have the same m.v. and the same shot weight but are much more pleasant to shoot, for whatever reason. I at first thought they were the "Reduced Recoil" shells but they were not.

I can also attest to the damage these shells do to targets and target holders. I can normally fires 50-60 standard Hevi-13 shells, WLB or any other shells before I have to replace backing. With the 4,5,7 MB shells, it's destroyed in 15 or so. They rock the targets like nothing else I've seen.

I see good coverage in 10" with a halo pattern with both versions. It takes some adjustment of thinking when counting the hits with the MB shells with the #4 shot, Numbers seem low until you consider the percentage of #4 shot in that load and the retained energy that it has at 40 yards. The other day I shot 20+ of those shells and did not have one pattern that had any gaps of 2" or more. I might add that was with several different choke tubes of varying exit diameters.

I'll probably keep those 3.5" shells right where they are. The 3" shells do the job quite well.

Thanks,
Clark

[gatrkyhntr70]

Historically, there has been such variability on shot sizes and percentages/number of shot by lot, I have found it extremely difficult to attempt to obtain hard numbers data on both the 3" and 3 1/2" MagBlends.  I don't even count numbers on MagBlends like I do with other turkey loads, however, I evaluate the patterns by looking at a 5" core, 10" core and 20" even dispersal.  I stands to reason that with more shot you will have more "shot on the pattern" w/ the 3 1/2" vs the 3" shells, but interestingly, I have patterned several 3 1/2" shotguns which pattern the 3" MagBlends better than the 31/2" shells.  Most shotguns pattern the MagBlends better w/ a more open choke than used w/ straight 6's or 7's.  Other than Nitro's, the MagBlends are the hardest kicking 3" and 3 1/2" turkey shells which I have ever shot, but the overall patterns and tremendous knock-down of the shells is impressive.

I have shot quite a few of the MB shells in the last 12-18 months patterning guns and chokes for some of my readers. I've shot the 5,6,7 and the 4,5,7 shells in 3". I have a couple of cases of the 3.5" shells but have not shot any of them in quite a while.

The "original" MB in 5,6,7 had a lot of recoil. The newer 4,5,7 shells are mild by comparison. They have the same m.v. and the same shot weight but are much more pleasant to shoot, for whatever reason. I at first thought they were the "Reduced Recoil" shells but they were not.

I can also attest to the damage these shells do to targets and target holders. I can normally fires 50-60 standard Hevi-13 shells, WLB or any other shells before I have to replace backing. With the 4,5,7 MB shells, it's destroyed in 15 or so. They rock the targets like nothing else I've seen.

I see good coverage in 10" with a halo pattern with both versions. It takes some adjustment of thinking when counting the hits with the MB shells with the #4 shot, Numbers seem low until you consider the percentage of #4 shot in that load and the retained energy that it has at 40 yards. The other day I shot 20+ of those shells and did not have one pattern that had any gaps of 2" or more. I might add that was with several different choke tubes of varying exit diameters.

I'll probably keep those 3.5" shells right where they are. The 3" shells do the job quite well.

Clark,  Whats an average 10" circle count you get with the 4,5,7 blend in 3" shell?

Thanks,
Clark

[albrubacker]

For me it was a 20-30 pellet difference at 40 yrds in 10"

[Farmboy27]

Who cares?  If it's a good pattern, run it. If not, try something else!  Every gun is different.