Some opinions please

[Rzrbac]

I'm shooting a Benelli SBE2, 24" barrel and a Kicks GT .660. For years I've shot 3.5 Federal Premiums. I stocked up on these a long time ago. I'm now pretty low and just mounted a scope so some shooting is in order.

Until I got on this forum, I had never heard of Longbeards. Just no need to look at shells, I had a stockpile and I was satisfied. Now that it's looking like I am gonna have to get more shells, what she'll do you shooters think will perform well in this setup.  I'm not concerned about numbers so much just a good shell to kill out to 40 and maybe an extra yard or two should I misjudge the distance. It also has to kill close and not be too tight as I shoot way more at 30 yards.  Thanks.

[Tom Foolery]

3.5" LB #5 or #6.


The 6's were much more even with no large gaps from my 870.  I gave the 5's to a friend and his 870 throws a great pattern with them with no gaps.

[Rzrbac]

So LBs are compatible with a Kicks choke?

[davisd9]

If you are wanting to stick with lead then Longbeard 5s, but they will be tight up close.

If you want to try HTL then I would do Hevi 6s or Mag Blends 5,6,7.

[taylorjones20]

As already mentioned, the LongBeards are super tight by design so anything close is going to be crazy tight.  Magblends give a good pattern up close and at 40 yards as well.

If you're staying with lead, you should be fine with the longbeards using a scope...

[Rzrbac]

How tight at 30 and less?

[Gumby]

How tight at 30 and less?

Too tight for my liking. I use Hevi13 6s. I just couldn't get past the softball size or smaller patterns in close

[Tom Foolery]

So LBs are compatible with a Kicks choke?

I shoot H13 #6's and #7's through my Kicks choke.


I've shot the longbeards and they do a great job, but when it comes to killin' give me some HTL.

[bbcoach]

Rzrbac, Something that you may not have thought of since you are mounting a scope.  Don't use your Feds to zero your scope.  Use some dove loads at 12 1/2 yards until your POA matches your POI.  Then shoot 1 Fed at 40 to verify.  I can't help much with your LB question since I am shooting Hevi-13 7's thru a .670 Pure Gold choke in a 835.

[dirt road ninja]

If all your looking for is a 40 +/- yard gun, just about any factory turkey load will get you there. Of the lead shells I like Winchesters XX 2.25 oz load of 5's or 6's. They are adequate at 40, plus open up close.

http://www.winchester.com/products/shotshell-ammunition/Advanced/Double-X/Pages/XXT12L5.aspx

If your going to move up to HTL, I like the Hevi 7's in the 2.25oz load.

[Rzrbac]

Appreciate all the advice. I'll be in a store tomorrow that carries a bunch of shells so I'm gonna pick up some to try. 

Softball size at 30 is pretty dang small. 

It's been a long time since I patterned my gun but I don't recall any patterns that were that small. Seems like there are a lot of options. Those LBs may be a little tight for my liking.

[Rzrbac]

Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?

[bbcoach]

Appreciate all the advice. I'll be in a store tomorrow that carries a bunch of shells so I'm gonna pick up some to try. 

Softball size at 30 is pretty dang small. 

It's been a long time since I patterned my gun but I don't recall any patterns that were that small. Seems like there are a lot of options. Those LBs may be a little tight for my liking.

If you are putting a scope on your gun, then don't sweat the tight patterns.  With today's tight chokes and tight loads think of your shotgun with a scope or red dot as you would shooting a rifle.  We aren't shooting our Grandfather's 30 inch full choke 2 3/4" guns anymore.  Aim the shotgun, don't just point and spray.

[dirt road ninja]

Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?

Kicks says no to hevi 13, but yes to the Winchester X range. Go figure. I would and not worry about.

[Tom Foolery]

Can you shoot Hevi 13 through a Kicks?

I've ran over 100 rounds through mine. 


They're built like a tank.