Winchester Rooster - Why Beat Yourself To Death?

[Loose Wire]

I shoot an 1187, 21" with Win 3" HD 6's and 5's.  Trulock .670.  Barrel is backbored to .740 and forcing cone lengthened and polished.  Outstanding patterns and the tungsten drops turkeys like a rock.

But, since my average shot over the years is 20-30 yards, went on a quest for a lighter load in a lighter gun.

Just happen to have an 870 21" with iron sights, Monte Carlo stock, backbored to .734, forcing cone lengthened and polished, that I hadn't spent enough time with.  So, bought some Winchester Rooster 2 3/4", 1 1/4 ounce @ 1,300 fps in 4, 5 and 6.  These are 15 packs as some of you know, and identical to Longbeards in construction.

Went to the range today, with my "box of chokes"  Tried four with all three shot sizes.  And the winner is;
"Indian Creek" .665.

Hits in 10" circle @ 40 yards;

#4 - 96/167 = 57%

#5 - 116/217 = 53%

#6 - 167/281 = 59%

Yes, those are 1 1/4 ounce loads. What's not to like? 

Next step, now that I have 40 yard benchmarks, is to pattern at 35 and 25 yards.

BTW, also tried the Rem WM Turkey/Predator (.670), and Trulocks Longbeards .665 and .660.  All were pretty good, but the "Indian Creek" was the clear winner in all three shot sizes.

I did not cut the shells open to count pellets.  Using the chart for total load count.

[surehuntsalot]

I like your idea of the idea of light recoil loads

[BandedSpur]

I'm with you on low recoil. I shoot TSS for the huge number of pellets and wiggle room that they afford. I load 1&5/8 oz 9s for the tight barrel and 1&1/4 oz 9s for the open barrel. The 1&1/4 oz load is devastating to 40 yds through a lt mod choke with lots of pattern spread and very light recoil in a lightweight O/U.

[Loose Wire]

Rem 870, 24" backbored to .734, forcing cone lengthened and polished, bead site barrel.  3 1/2" chamber. Carlson's Long Beard .660 choke (Creamator design with triple ring)

Winchester Rooster 2 3/4" 1 1/4 ounce @ 1,300 fps;

10" circle @ 40 yards

#4 - 102/167 61%
#5 - 111/217 51%
#6 - 167/281 59%

10" circle @ 35 Yards

#4 - 105/167 63%
#5 - 140/217 65%
#6 - 195/281 69%

This choke shoots as well as the Indian Creek .665 with this load.  Top two chokes with this load. Interesting that both have the internal step rings designs. 

Interesting the #4 didn't loose anything going from 35 to 40 yards.  Or gain anything going down to 35 yards if you prefer.  The #5 shot showed the biggest difference.

Wads look perfect coming out of this choke.  I experienced none of the Long Beard wad tearing some have experienced, with either the Indian Creek or Carlson's Long Beard.  Or any other choke for that matter.

24" barrel cleaner then 21", probably getting a better burn.

Personally, I think #6 run out of gas for turkey at 35 yards, and I would use this #6 load up to 35 yards without hesitation.

[ahfox16]

Are those roll crimped the same way the Long Beards are?

[Loose Wire]

Yes.  Construction is exactly the same as "Long Beards".

And I see that Winchester is now offering this  2 3/4" 1 1/4 ounce load under the "Long Beard" label, in #5 shot only, in 10 packs.  Haven't seen any on shelves though.

And BTW, I paid $17.66 per box of 15 ("Rooster").  That is equivalent to $11.83 per 10 the LB come in.

[ahfox16]

Yes.  Construction is exactly the same as "Long Beards".

And I see that Winchester is now offering this  2 3/4" 1 1/4 ounce load under the "Long Beard" label, in #5 shot only, in 10 packs.  Haven't seen any on shelves though.

And BTW, I paid $17.66 per box of 15 ("Rooster").  That is equivalent to $11.83 per 10 the LB come in.

Thanks.  I've got an old 12 gauge with 2 5/8" chambers and because they are roll top crimped, they shouldn't open up beyond that 2 5/8" length once fired.

[Loose Wire]

I had saved some fired hulls so just measured them.

Three all were just a hair over 2 1/2"  Certainly less than 2 5/8".  So you should be fine for length.

[ahfox16]

I had saved some fired hulls so just measured them.

Three all were just a hair over 2 1/2"  Certainly less than 2 5/8".  So you should be fine for length.

Super.  Thanks much.

[ahfox16]

Found some of these at the local gander mountain in size 6.  Hoping to try them out this coming weekend.

[davisd9]

How is shooting 5-6 shells a year beating yourself to death?


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[Loose Wire]

Ever notice on posted pattern pics how many can't hit their aim point?  All kinds of reasons listed.

My bet; flinching ranks near the top (amongst other reasons). But somehow, this won't happen on a live bird.  Right?

[Loose Wire]

Found some of these at the local gander mountain in size 6.  Hoping to try them out this coming weekend.

Good.  Let us know how they shoot in your gun.

[Tom Foolery]

I snagged a box of Rooster 2.75" #5's to shoot from my great grandfathers 1929 Stevens.  30" barrel fixed choke .687"


3 shot average at 42yds was 48 pellets in the 10".  The old gray box Winchesters out shot them. 


Oh well