MAN guys, just got back from the pattern boards-
It just so happens the new .670 Pure Gold and my 870 make one mean azz team together. I started the patterning with the Hevi 6s 2 1/4oz load, the Mag Blend 2 1/4oz load, Win XR 2oz 5s or Win XR 2oz 6s....
Slight cross wind today, 67 degrees. Distance shot- 36 yards from end of barrel with rangefinder(sorry, couldnt get 40) Shooting straight beads, no aftermarket sighting. Cleaning throughly after each shot. Shooting off of bench with Caldwell Sled.
The 6s did pretty good coming in with 196 in a 10" circle at 36yds. The MBs came in at 222 pellets in a 10" circle(Seems like the Magblends had a whole lot more 7s in them than they did last year???. Both loads would be fine for hunting, however my gun shoots just a hair to the right(may of had something to do with cross wind from left to right?) The real suprise was the XR shells... The 6s did great, but then I shot the 5s......... With my gun, 23" SM 870, polished barrel and factory double beads and a .670PG, at 36 yds, I got 221 #5s Winchester Xtended Range pellets in a 10" circle! The 5s beat the 6s! I thought this was awesome! Pattern is very very even with the center of my pattern pretty much dead on.... Looks like the Winchester XR 5s are going in my 870 for the birds... Whats your opinion of the 5s in the XR shells? Would you hunt with it? Will i loose much going to 40 or 50? Shot the XR 5s at 15 yards, and the softball pattern was just a hair off to the right but the bird still woulda died. Comments please guys, thanks!
