I liked the hevi 7s better than the blends as well but I have since stopped using both. Reason being...cost. I have since went to longbeards. I know I know....there is so much argument between the two but let me give you some info. I have tried many many many types of ammo in multiple shotguns with multiple chokes. For me the HEVIs (7s and MAG blends) were consistently great performers in all scenerios. The HEVI 7s patterned great at close 10 yard distances and still had a decent pattern at the dreaded no shoot zone of 50+ yards. Now here is why I went with longbeards...they still had the good pattern at the dreaded no shoot 50+ yards zone BUT not as good pattern as the HEVI 7s under 20 yards. I will admit that the longbeards do have a tighter pattern that close so misses could be more of a chance than the HEVI 7s. All that being said...I simply aim at the base of the neck/top portion of the body when they are in that close. Yes you will get a few more BBs in the breast meat but you can pick them out easily enough. I have yet to miss any birds and they are significantly cheaper than the HEVIs. If money was no object I would go with the HEVI 7s.