POA/POI and pattern changes w/ Win Longbeards

[decoykrvr]

I recently was patterning a shotgun which had been dialed-in 2 years ago w/ Winchester 3" LongBeard 5's and 6's.  My friend had neglected to "stock-up" on the lot #'s which we had initially patterned the gun and had recently purchased "new stock" LongBeard 5's and 6's.  With the "new" shells vs. the "old" shells, in addition to the POA/POI change there was a significant drop in the 10" and 20" numbers and the quality of the patterns when we compared them.  Several of the 25 yard patterns w/ the "new" shells looked like they had been shot w/ a slug and had not opened at all.  I can only assume that it must be due to changes in the composition of the plastic matrix used to encase the shot.  I've advised my friend to look for the "old" lot #'s or different lot #'s from those we evaluated.  Has anyone else seen similar pattern reproducibility problems w/ the LongBeard shells?

[BowBendr]

I have an 835 that will shoot a blistering pattern with the #4's but the pattern moves around from shot to shot. Shells from same box. I quit using them. I thought it was a choke issue but it wasn't. Heard several reports of this.


2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions

[worth612000]

Think I would call Winchester on that one. Sounds like $20 a box thrown out the window. 

[wvmntnhick]

Sounds like the resin isn't breaking apart upon ignition. I'd give them a call and see what they can do for you. They're a fairly easy company to deal with.

[turkeywhisperer935]

I'd just try some of the new triple beards. Lb's are too tight at close range for me anyway.

[worth612000]

Just out of curiosity. They offer 2 versions one being being faster with less shot, and a new offering more shot less speed. Which version were you using? could be just a bad lot number.

[BDeal]

I had this problem with the 3.5 inch 5 shot. I kept moving my sights chasing it until I realized it was moving around on it's own. The 6 shot seems to be a little better for me

[decoykrvr]

I had initially evaluated both the 3" and 3 1/2", 5's and 6's when Winchester first released the LongBeards.  I've got a lifetime supply of tungsten turkey loads, so I wasn't interested in going back to lead loads based upon my results w/ HTL turkey loads.  However, the long-term uncertainty of HTL with regard to price and availability, and to assist several "new" turkey hunters w/ choke/load selections, we patterned the Win LB's w/ very impressive  results.  The problem has arisen w/ several shooters who are not getting the same patterning results w/ the "new" lot #'s of the shells we initially patterned their guns with.  Two years ago when I advised the boys to stock up on the lot #'s which patterned so well in their turkey guns, they felt that the shells were going to be made in the long term , so why stock up.  I've got years of patterns which document what slight changes in components can do to shot shell performance and based upon my experience, it appears that the Winchester LongBeards are no exception.

[357MAGNOLE]

I have an 835 that will shoot a blistering pattern with the #4's but the pattern moves around from shot to shot. Shells from same box. I quit using them. I thought it was a choke issue but it wasn't. Heard several reports of this.


2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions

I had this same problem with my Stoeger M3000 running a Sumtoy choke. I talked to Sumtoy and they said they have seen the patterns moving round with the long beards, so I swapped in a Indian Creek, it hits to poa perfectly. 

Nothing wrong with the Sumtoy, maybe too tight of a restriction or maybe the long beards like the ported chokes.... 

[SumToy]

I have an 835 that will shoot a blistering pattern with the #4's but the pattern moves around from shot to shot. Shells from same box. I quit using them. I thought it was a choke issue but it wasn't. Heard several reports of this.


2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions

I had this same problem with my Stoeger M3000 running a Sumtoy choke. I talked to Sumtoy and they said they have seen the patterns moving round with the long beards, so I swapped in a Indian Creek, it hits to poa perfectly. 

Nothing wrong with the Sumtoy, maybe too tight of a restriction or maybe the long beards like the ported chokes.... 

We can open the choke up some.  Now one thing with them is the temps.  I know stuff they have them put together with brakes up funny at times.  That is why they move around some.  Now I think with a bigger more open pattern you may not see the movement as much.   They chokes that give the high core or hot spot patterns you see it more. 

[Ihuntoldschool]

Like shooting a sabot slug, where the slug doesn't release the same every time from the sabot, same thing with the "shot lok resin"   JMO.

[357MAGNOLE]

I have an 835 that will shoot a blistering pattern with the #4's but the pattern moves around from shot to shot. Shells from same box. I quit using them. I thought it was a choke issue but it wasn't. Heard several reports of this.


2015 Old Gobbler contest Champions

I had this same problem with my Stoeger M3000 running a Sumtoy choke. I talked to Sumtoy and they said they have seen the patterns moving round with the long beards, so I swapped in a Indian Creek, it hits to poa perfectly. 

Nothing wrong with the Sumtoy, maybe too tight of a restriction or maybe the long beards like the ported chokes.... 

We can open the choke up some.  Now one thing with them is the temps.  I know stuff they have them put together with brakes up funny at times.  That is why they move around some.  Now I think with a bigger more open pattern you may not see the movement as much.   They chokes that give the high core or hot spot patterns you see it more.

I could see that. Which is why it won't stop me from ordering the Sumtoy for the 870 and Federal HW#7's