Went out today and patterned in prep for Turkey season. I have been reading some good things about the Long Beard ammo and decided I would pickup a box a few weeks ago.
My shotgun: Winchester SX2
Back in 2013 I pattered a bunch of stuff through my shotgun and found that the Federal Mag Shok Turkey Load worked best for me. I took my first turkey with that shell @ around 30 yards with a Kick's Gobblin Thunder (.680).
After doing a bunch of reading people had suggested using a more open choke to better utilize the flight control wad, so I tested the Federal with both the Turkey Choke and improved cylinder chokes. Not sure about the flight control wad having an issue with the tighter choke, as mine went out and actually broke the wing of the turkey.
Here is it @ 30 yards w/ both chokes
w/ Turkey Choke
w/ Improved Cyl.
To be honest I remembered much tighter patterns @ 30 yards when I tested a few years ago. I actually should go back and look at the pattern tests as I have them somewhere.
Anyways....here are the Long Beards @ 30, 40 and 50 yards. I stuck with the Turkey choke as it seemed to perform well.
Counted 25~ish hits @ 50 yards.
Judging by trail cam pics so far I doubt I will be needing to reach out that far in the field, but good to know what my limit will be.
I'm pretty impressed with the long beards pattern and will probably pickup another box so I have them for the next few years.
oh....and my shoulder hurts (used slugs before the turkey loads to make sure my sight was on zero)
My shotgun: Winchester SX2
Back in 2013 I pattered a bunch of stuff through my shotgun and found that the Federal Mag Shok Turkey Load worked best for me. I took my first turkey with that shell @ around 30 yards with a Kick's Gobblin Thunder (.680).
After doing a bunch of reading people had suggested using a more open choke to better utilize the flight control wad, so I tested the Federal with both the Turkey Choke and improved cylinder chokes. Not sure about the flight control wad having an issue with the tighter choke, as mine went out and actually broke the wing of the turkey.
Here is it @ 30 yards w/ both chokes
w/ Turkey Choke
w/ Improved Cyl.
To be honest I remembered much tighter patterns @ 30 yards when I tested a few years ago. I actually should go back and look at the pattern tests as I have them somewhere.
Anyways....here are the Long Beards @ 30, 40 and 50 yards. I stuck with the Turkey choke as it seemed to perform well.
Counted 25~ish hits @ 50 yards.
Judging by trail cam pics so far I doubt I will be needing to reach out that far in the field, but good to know what my limit will be.
I'm pretty impressed with the long beards pattern and will probably pickup another box so I have them for the next few years.
oh....and my shoulder hurts (used slugs before the turkey loads to make sure my sight was on zero)
