Longbeards too tight?

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poorhunter

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I have used basically the same load since I started turkey hunting 25+ years ago, Winchester Supreme #5s. Have yet to miss or not cleanly kill each time I have pulled the trigger, but I always try to keep up with the new loads that have come out. I've never ended up using any mostly because I can't see spending that kind of money on shells when what I've been using works! That being said, I am thinking of trying the longbeards. My question is how much of a pattern do they have at 20 yds? In looking back at all the turkeys I have killed, at least half were right at that 20 yd mark, and I don't want to miss because they're too tight a pattern. I've looked at some of the patterns that y'all post on here, but I don't see the 20yds ones. Can someone put one up if you've got one, or just let me know what you've seen with them at 20?
 
I don't know if this helps, but I saw a 20 yd pattern last year at an outdoor store displaying various loads at that range. They were all out of the same gun/choke I think, but I may be wrong on that part. Anyway, the longbeards were VERY tight, definitely the tightest on display. There was a golf ball sized hole in the neck of the turkey target, with the pattern opening up just around that. I'm guessing the bulk of the load was around 5-7", with that golf ball sized hole in the middle. That is just my estimate and the best I can remember though. I remember a guy walking by me and saying he thought it was way too tight. Anything inside of 20 would be tough as you wouldn't have any room for error really, but at longer ranges they should be deadly.
 
AXL is right. Depending on choke constriction LBs at 20 yards is going to be very tight. Using a more open choke or killin'em before they get too close may be your only options with these shells. I shoot 3.5" #6s through a .660 Rhino ported choke tube and have never tested at 20 yards, but at 40 yards it'll put 260-270 pellets into a 10" circle.
 
If the majority of your shots are 30 and under, and you have the track record you state with the current setup, there is no way I would change. Confidence is key in killing turkeys consistently and it appears you have that now. Good luck with your final choice.
 
I have a 835 Mossberg and it shoots the tightest pattern with the Longbeard shells.If I were you and you decide to use the Longbeard shells,I would be leary of letting him get that close(20 Yds)
 
Mike Belt":1icdvwcq said:
Can't help you but "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" comes to mind.
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^^^^^This!!!

I've shot Winchester Supreme 3.5" #5's 2 oz loads for almost 20 years and killed heaven only knows how many turkeys with them from ranges of 10 feet to 50 yards. I've steered clear of the trendy loads because what I use works and works really well.

The patterns people want these days are insanely tight IMO, and it comes from a lack of confidence I guess in getting a bird to close inside 30 yards or field hunters wanting to pick them off at long ranges. If you're used to lead loads the htl loads could cause you issues you don't need imo
 
Setterman":2kd8wq91 said:
Mike Belt":2kd8wq91 said:
Can't help you but "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" comes to mind.
Click to expand...

^^^^^This!!!

I've shot Winchester Supreme 3.5" #5's 2 oz loads for almost 20 years and killed heaven only knows how many turkeys with them from ranges of 10 feet to 50 yards. I've steered clear of the trendy loads because what I use works and works really well.

The patterns people want these days are insanely tight IMO, and it comes from a lack of confidence I guess in getting a bird to close inside 30 yards or field hunters wanting to pick them off at long ranges. If you're used to lead loads the htl loads could cause you issues you don't need imo
Click to expand...

This is what I've used for years as well. I also use the modified choke that came with my SBEII. When I switched loads and went with a super full turkey choke, I missed more turkeys than I ever have. I switched back and haven't missed since.

I think turkey chokes and the new loads are overrated in 12 gauges. However, I do think the new loads are great for 20 gauges and essentially give you the killing power of a 12 gauge.
 
this is out of a .655 per winchester not sure your choke restriction....compared there patterns vs mine and its farely close as far as results i had.
 
At 20 yards out of my carlson longbeard choke its nasty. Honestly too tight. Its baseball size and at 30 just larger than softball size. Opens up more at 40-50 but still good at those distances.
 
beardnbone":fy0ixa3b said:
At 20 yards out of my carlson longbeard choke its nasty. Honestly too tight. Its baseball size and at 30 just larger than softball size. Opens up more at 40-50 but still good at those distances.
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I'll 2nd that.
The reason I switched to the long beard shells is I can now shoot a 3" and still have more pellets in the zone around the 40 yard area than I could with a 3.5" xx magnum with less recoil which makes me more comfortable. 25 and under you better be holding dead on him. So I agree they are really too tight at close distances.



Sent from the barrel of a model 70 at 3300 fps
 
String Music":2vvvewgx said:
Setterman":2vvvewgx said:
I've shot Winchester Supreme 3.5" #5's 2 oz loads for almost 20 years and killed heaven only knows how many turkeys with them from ranges of 10 feet to 50 yards.

The patterns people want these days are insanely tight IMO . . . .
Click to expand...

This is what I've used for years as well. I also use the modified choke that came with my SBEII. When I switched loads and went with a super full turkey choke, I missed more turkeys than I ever have. I switched back and haven't missed since.

I think turkey chokes and the new loads are overrated in 12 gauges. However, I do think the new loads are great for 20 gauges and essentially give you the killing power of a 12 gauge.
Click to expand...
I TOTALLY AGREE! :tu:
To use these "rifle"-like options, you really NEED an optical sight, as well as quality time at the target range in getting your shotgun "rifle" sighted in.

I've been saying for years that the average turkey hunter would likely go home with more birds annually if he were simply using a factory "modified" or "full" choke, and totally forgot about the super-tight "turkey" chokes.

In many if not most turkey woods environments, most of your shooting opportunities are going to be under 40 yards. I know it's a little different on some field set-ups, but still, giving yourself a little edge on long shots is often at the expense of greater handicap on the typical shots that present.

There is however one fairly recent "development" I don't find to be a gimmick:

When we obtained #7 and smaller HTL and/or TSS pellets, we could effectively cause a more open choke to produce the pattern density (and per pellet energy) of tighter chokes using #5 and/or #6 lead pellets. This alone has made my 20 ga "turkey" gun be more effective at all ranges than the 12 ga I've killed the most turkeys with over time.

To those who would like to improve their odds across the board without sacrifice, consider just using whatever choke you have, but loading up with #7 (or smaller) HTL loads. Most of those handloading their turkey shells are now using #9 TSS shot.
 
Don't change unless you add some more set up to your gun a good sight is a must for some of this shells. If not stay with what you got. Why change I'd you've never missed a bird? I wouldn't!
 

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