Thugs VS longbeards

[Red Huck]

Last year thugs where the rage. This year it looks to be longbeards, Anyone compared them on the range yet.

[mr perfect]

are you talking about the new X R shells ?

[d.winsor]

I just patterned the long beards #5 shot in my gun and the pattern is so tight at 40 yards I won't hunt with them, if I am a little off one way or the other with aiming I will miss a turkey.  I will use winchester supreme HV #5's.  If thugs shoot anywhere near long beards anyone that likes a tight pattern will like LB and Thugs.

[Red Huck]

are you talking about the new X R shells ? Yes

[mightyjoeyoung]

are you talking about the new X R shells ?

What other shell with the name "Longbeard" on the box could he be talking about?

[owlhoot]

I have had no luck with the thugs in a 870 Sm 26"
.660 carltons 3" thug 5's  at 81 in the 10".
Remington straight rifled 3"thug 5's  at 81 in the 10".
Hevi-tube thug 5's at 93 in the 10".
Hevi-tube thug 6's at 111 in the 10".

.660 carltons 3" 5's Lbeards at 139 in the 10".

Hevi-tube Lbeard 3" 5's at 140-174 in the 10".
Hevi-tube Lbeard 3" 6's at 189 in the 10".
40 yards lazered from the muzzle.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Carlson, not Carlton.

Based on all of your numbers, a barrel deep cleaning and bore polish would make you smile.

[owlhoot]

Carlson, not Carlton.
ooops
Based on all of your numbers, a barrel deep cleaning and bore polish would make you smile.

been done , deep cleaned that morning, bore snake between shots

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Hevi-tube Lbeard 3" 5's at 140-174 in the 10".
Hevi-tube Lbeard 3" 6's at 189 in the 10".

There's nothing wrong with those numbers.

[Tom Foolery]

I tried 3.5" Thugs in 5's and 6's from a great shooting 835 and they did not beat the old Winchester HV lead loads.  I tried 3" Thugs in 5's and 6's from my short 870 and they patterned about like a 20 gauge lead load.   I was one of the very few that did not get great results from the Thugs.

[owlhoot]

Me too, was really disappointed with the thugs.       Seems  they don't  hold a candle to the grand slam.
Well i still have the ventilator .655 to try.   And have not tried the .640  CARLSONS CARLSONS CARLSONS, LOL

Looked at 5 sets of notes and wrote carltons everytime, had about 10 of those chokes.

It is going to have to wait , it snowed here (MO) again and on the weekend   

[Punisher]

owlhoot, your numbers with the LB XR 3" #5s are about what I am getting, and other people I have shot with, at a TAPED forty yards.  I am sorry but some of the patterns I see I really have to question if they were at a true forty.  I mean I have several different chokes and constrictions for all my guns and deep clean all of them and still I see some patterns where people are getting 40-50 more shot in the 10" than I average.  I am not saying it can't happen, but I know that every gun I have is not the worst shooting gun out there.  Not calling anybody out, just think some patterns may be stepped 40 instead of a true 40.

[owlhoot]

IDK, two lazer range finders, a marked conservation dept. range.
Used a tape and rangefinders at the range we built at the old little farm.
As far as the thugs go for now , not impressed. Have used Federal shells alot, these are the worst for me so far that i have used with what i have tried.

I am happy with the Longbeards in the 10" in the hevi-tube.

[Mike Honcho]

The Thugs are a good load.  The Longbeards are just in a whole different category above the performance of standard lead loads.

In my 37 Turkeyslayer Thugs 3" , 6's did 97 and 102 in 10" at 40.
Win Longbeard FIVES , 3" did 147 and 151. Choke was .670 Pure Gold.

Same day , same choke, same range...barrel cleaned between each shot.

In my Stoeger 3500 3 1/2" Longbeard 6's did 276 in 10" at 40 with Jellyhead , didn't have any 3 1/2" Thugs to compare but I don't think I needed too.

[surehuntsalot]

thugs have been good in my guns,wasn't all that impressed with the longbeards