20ga HTL

[quackaddict]

Ordered a Carlson's .575 last night for my Franchi 720. I picked up a box of Winchester XX #5's yesterday and am trying to decide which HTL load to pick up. I'm between the Magblends, Hevi13, and Fed HW 6s. Worried about the Feds because of the wad. I don't want to overchoke it, and I know how good the Magblends pattern in a 12ga. Not interested in buying a box of each, because I just don't want to spend the extra $...it costs me enough to make a trip to turkey land from my house as it is. What would you guys suggest?

[BowBendr]

HW 6's if the choke is non-ported, Hevi's if it's ported, would be my first try...too many variables to just go buy 1 box of shells.

[jdub2041]

Heavy shot #7s shot best for me

[jordanz7935]

I get my best patterns with Fed HW #7s

[BandedSpur]

Why would you try HW 6s unless required by law? The 7s will outshoot them by a wide margin and have more than enough penetration way past where you should be shooting.

[quackaddict]

I haven't seen any HW 7s anywhere.

[mightyjoeyoung]

Why would you try HW 6s unless required by law? The 7s will outshoot them by a wide margin and have more than enough penetration way past where you should be shooting.

And if he can get the 6's to pattern to a min of 100/10" at 40 the point is moot either way right?  I have probably 15 boxes of the 6's and they put up right about 120, +/- 5 in the 10" circle at 40 yards and are very even.  When and if I ever run out of 7's I have no hesitation loading up a bunch of 6's and RUINING a gobbler's day to 40 yards and a bit further.

[timberjack86]

The 7's are a nightmare to find so I use the 6's

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

I haven't seen any HW 7s anywhere.

MidwayUSA has the 7s in stock, and on sale.

[mossyoakpro]

My local Bass Pro has a ton of the #7's right now...

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

If I couldn't find the HW 7s, or didn't want to get killed on shipping for one box, I wouldn't hesitate to try the 6s.   I patterned the HW 6s on Friday and shot 172, 159, and 161 in 10" at 40 yards.  That's crazy tight.  If I had only shot one, I would have thought for sure that it was a fluke. I'm sure our 6000 ft altitude helps. This is significantly tighter than the 7s in my gun (1187, 26" barrel, RSF choke).  The 7s averaged ~150 or so, as they usually do for me.  I like the extra margin for aiming error the 7s give me, but the 6s could be an option.

quackaddict, do you ever get up to Albuquerque?

[mightyjoeyoung]

If I couldn't find the HW 7s, or didn't want to get killed on shipping for one box, I wouldn't hesitate to try the 6s.   I patterned the HW 6s on Friday and shot 172, 159, and 161 in 10" at 40 yards.  That's crazy tight.  If I had only shot one, I would have thought for sure that it was a fluke. I'm sure our 6000 ft altitude helps. This is significantly tighter than the 7s in my gun (1187, 26" barrel, RSF choke).  The 7s averaged ~150 or so, as they usually do for me.  I like the extra margin for aiming error the 7s give me, but the 6s could be an option.

quackaddict, do you ever get up to Albuquerque?

Extra margin for error?!?!?!      That's the kind pattern MOST guys are getting with 7's!!!!     There wouldn't be a gobbler on the planet safe from you to-dare I say it?- FIFTY YARDS, easy with that kind of pattern in HW 6's! 

[BandedSpur]

If I couldn't find the HW 7s, or didn't want to get killed on shipping for one box, I wouldn't hesitate to try the 6s.   I patterned the HW 6s on Friday and shot 172, 159, and 161 in 10" at 40 yards.  That's crazy tight.  If I had only shot one, I would have thought for sure that it was a fluke. I'm sure our 6000 ft altitude helps. This is significantly tighter than the 7s in my gun (1187, 26" barrel, RSF choke).  The 7s averaged ~150 or so, as they usually do for me.  I like the extra margin for aiming error the 7s give me, but the 6s could be an option.

quackaddict, do you ever get up to Albuquerque?

67% of the total charge in the 10 @ 40 is really, really strong. Never heard of a combo with that kind of efficiency. Congrats...aim small.

[quackaddict]

If I couldn't find the HW 7s, or didn't want to get killed on shipping for one box, I wouldn't hesitate to try the 6s.   I patterned the HW 6s on Friday and shot 172, 159, and 161 in 10" at 40 yards.  That's crazy tight.  If I had only shot one, I would have thought for sure that it was a fluke. I'm sure our 6000 ft altitude helps. This is significantly tighter than the 7s in my gun (1187, 26" barrel, RSF choke).  The 7s averaged ~150 or so, as they usually do for me.  I like the extra margin for aiming error the 7s give me, but the 6s could be an option.

quackaddict, do you ever get up to Albuquerque?

Not really. Thanks for that info though. I'm sending you a PM.