Hevi or Win XR will definitely blow lead patterns away, but you can get good killing patterns with lead out to 45yds. Some rigs will even make it a touch further.
My SX2 and SX3 shoot good with Win grey box 1-7/8oz #6, Win 3" HV 1-3/4" #6, and Win 3.5" HV #6 lead loads with a Primos Jellyhead .670 or Star Dot .667 choke. The grey box loads will give 130s counts at 40 and flat hammer a tom out to a touch past 45.
Whatever you get, pattern on large sheets of paper at 40yds and draw a 10" circle around the densest portion of the pattern after you shoot. If the circle is not catching your bullseye on the target then you need to get adjustable sights. Find you best patterning choke and shells and repeat the test for several rounds to ensure the counts are consistent. You need 100 hits for a sure thing, but 80 evenly dispersed will get the job done. Keep dropping the target back until you reach that 100 hit range and you now have the max range for your set-up. Also remember that 100 hits consistently in calm warm conditions is a far cry from windy or cold conditions in the field.
Good Luck
