New Winchester Long Beard shell. Looks to be legit

REN

REN

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If i have not kept up with it this winter Winchester has come out with a new shell...the Long Beard.

some of the guys on OG have started testing it and it seem to be LEGIT and almost unbelievable for a lead load. Cost is good at $20 for a box of 10 as well. I ordered a box (its on backorder but thats fine) to try out...i still have plenty of magblends but always looking for something affordable

here are a few pics and patterns from early testing....200+ with a lead load at 40yds is almost unheard of!

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/t ... 472.0.html

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/t ... 457.0.html
 
Much better cost than the magblends.

They would have to be very good to get me to switch from the magblends though.

Let us know what you think of them.
 
I saw them very interesting but I would be very happy if they do pattern better out of my gun then magblends but I don't see it happening. but they do look very good so far people really seem to like them on paper from what ive seen.
 
PalsPal said:
Much better cost than the magblends.

They would have to be very good to get me to switch from the magblends though.

Let us know what you think of them.
Click to expand...
I have yet to see lead pattern as good as the magblends but I would switch in a heart beat if lead would pattern ALMOST as good.
 
Unless something happens I'm purty well set for life for HTL in my 10 bore but I might look at these for the once a year I carry my 935 or my 5500
 
THX for the post! I have been watching these online since I heard about them in august. So far, looks good on everything I have read. I was a die hard x-tended range user! did everything I needed without spending a fortune for shells. Can't wait to try these and see if they compare.

If anyone else try's them out, let us know!
 
I have about 9 boxes of 3" and 8 boxes of 3.5" magblends so i don't really NEED more shells hahahah but i am without question gonna do some testing with these and if they can shoot 6's in the 180-220 at 40yds range then i am gonna get a few boxes!

the one issue to remember is usually these lead loads will not like the same choke as the magblends due to the pressure differences. May have to open the choke up a bit more for these if you are a magblend shooter but never know till you try it. I will run them through a few chokes and post all the results using my SBE2 and Stoeger M3500.
 
REN said:
. . . . testing it and it seem to be LEGIT and almost unbelievable for a lead load. Cost is good at $20 for a box of 10 as well.
Click to expand...
"HATS OFF" to Winchester for developing a better lead turkey load at a reasonable price. :)
At least it initially appears that's what they've done.

But doubt I'll be buying any, anytime soon, and here's why.

1) I'm already shooting some HTL loads that have been matched to my guns, which should be more effective than even the very best pure lead loads, even these new Winchesters.

2) The cost of all the HTL loads I shoot in a year (while turkey hunting) will remain much less than the cost of one tank of gasoline. While we may complain about the higher cost of HTL, for most of us, the cost of the shells is still a small part of our annual money spent on turkey hunting.

3) Switching to the new Winchester lead loads would cost me even more money than continuing to use the HTL for at least a couple or three more years. I would have to do extensive pattern testing with any new load ---- something I don't have to do if continue using what's already proven. Might even need a new choke tube for good patterns with the new loads.

For now, I'll remain content just reading about the new Winchesters. They sound good. :)
 
timberjack86 said:
Does anyone polish there barrel???
Click to expand...

I am a Remington guy and I do the deep cleaning on my barrels as recommended on Old Gobbler. I don't know if this is your definition of polishing but it leaves a mirror finish and helps the pattern.
 
Great post Wes. I agree about the cost of HTL. It's a minimal part of the hunt, and I want to shoot the best shell available off the shelf. I know it's crazy but I wouldn't feel as confident shooting lead, even though I limit myself to shots of 50 yards or less.
 
Spurhunter said:
timberjack86 said:
Does anyone polish there barrel???
Click to expand...

I am a Remington guy and I do the deep cleaning on my barrels as recommended on Old Gobbler. I don't know if this is your definition of polishing but it leaves a mirror finish and helps the pattern.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think that's it. How much difference do you see in your pattern since you started polishing??
 
I deep clean my barrels, but not my chokes. A kicks choke does not like to be cleaned or at least mine dont. My patterns went to crap
 
timberjack86 said:
Spurhunter said:
timberjack86 said:
Does anyone polish there barrel???
Click to expand...

I am a Remington guy and I do the deep cleaning on my barrels as recommended on Old Gobbler. I don't know if this is your definition of polishing but it leaves a mirror finish and helps the pattern.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think that's it. How much difference do you see in your pattern since you started polishing??
Click to expand...

I started deep cleaning my barrel about the same time I had my forcing cone lengthened. If I remember correctly I went from 200 in 10"@40 to 250 in 10"@40. I will have to pull my old patterns out to verify. I think the combination of those two things closed up the holes in my pattern some, which was what I was after.
 
Rockhound said:
I deep clean my barrels, but not my chokes. A kicks choke does not like to be cleaned or at least mine dont. My patterns went to crap
Click to expand...

I put an improved cyl. choke in for deep cleaning. I was told never do it with your turkey choke in. I don't know why it matters, but apparently others have had your same results.
 
Spurhunter said:
timberjack86 said:
Spurhunter said:
timberjack86 said:
Does anyone polish there barrel???
Click to expand...

I am a Remington guy and I do the deep cleaning on my barrels as recommended on Old Gobbler. I don't know if this is your definition of polishing but it leaves a mirror finish and helps the pattern.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think that's it. How much difference do you see in your pattern since you started polishing??
Click to expand...

I started deep cleaning my barrel about the same time I had my forcing cone lengthened. If I remember correctly I went from 200 in 10"@40 to 250 in 10"@40. I will have to pull my old patterns out to verify. I think the combination of those two things closed up the holes in my pattern some, which was what I was after.
Click to expand...
I don't remember exact numbers but I had a little over 200 in a 10 inch circle at 40 yrds. Mossberg 835 magblends and undertaker choke. Guess I shouldn't change anything. Do you ever shoot at the paper turkey head targets? Its unreal!
 
timberjack86 said:
Does anyone polish there barrel???
Click to expand...
I shoot a lot of 870s and I do polish the barrel. So far, everyone I have polished has shown great improvement.
Their is a great how-to @oldgobbler fourm in the shooting section.
 


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