Presmyk Report post Posted November 22, 2015 I plan on shooting the winchester long beard and a test shows that jeb patterns best then trulglo ssx 2nd . Just trying to figure out if 20 more pellets in the circle is worth $100 for Jeb compared to a trulglo for $40 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 22, 2015 Jeb performed best in THAT test. Your gun may differ. I use an HS Strut UnderTaker Xtra Full. It has killed all 3 turkeys it has seen DRT from 30 to 60 yards. Does just fine for $25 in my Remington 870 12ga.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smith2260 Report post Posted November 22, 2015 +1 on the undertaker. But one of our 12ga patterns 4 shot best and the other 5 shot best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Presmyk Report post Posted November 23, 2015 Ya they were testing best choke for the winchester long beard with the resin coating. But ya I just don't see how there cam be that big of price difference in a choke tube . What size shot you use lance? I was thinking a 3 inch #5 out of 12 gauge so have less holes but I still want to be able to reach 55 60 yard if had to so would you take it down size or 2? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I shoot 12ga. 3" #4 shot. Everything fell like a sack of hammers. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Presmyk Report post Posted November 23, 2015 Have you done some shell testing? I'm between the winchester long beard xr and the hevi shot blend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted November 23, 2015 My moss burg 835 with their ultra full turkey choke has leveled several birds at 100y. Don't over think these things. Do some pattern testing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I thought I had read some reviews that the Winchester Long Beard didn't do as well past 40 yards. It opened up quite a bit more than you would like for a turkey load. I'll have to see if I still have those articles. I still use #4 shot Remington Wingmaster (had a bunch leftover from back in the day) and #4 Hevi shot with a Cabela's Hevi Shot choke tube. They pattern great. I have my daughter set up with the Hevi Shot blend (#5-#7) and an HS Strut Undertaker and it patterns awesome. I'd have no problem with her unleashing her 20 gauge at 20 yards with her set up. Like Oz says, though, there's not much need to overthink it. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted November 23, 2015 If my memory is correct my guns happy with federal copper plated #4 with their flight control wad in a 3.5in mag. You should get to one of the many free turkey seminars......and ignore anything you hear from an eastern turkey hunter. The Arizona hunt is complete diferant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThomC Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I am just skeptical of shotgun pattern test. I would like to see a comparison of ten shots. I don't see how a bunch of shot randomly packed in a shell that will fly out the same every time. It would be like a group of hunters on CW all agreeing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Presmyk Report post Posted November 23, 2015 If my memory is correct my guns happy with federal copper plated #4 with their flight control wad in a 3.5in mag. You should get to one of the many free turkey seminars......and ignore anything you hear from an eastern turkey hunter. The Arizona hunt is complete diferant. I'm not new to turkey hunting I have my goulds and Merriams under belt, I'm just talking chokes and shells. T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Presmyk Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I thought I had read some reviews that the Winchester Long Beard didn't do as well past 40 yards. It opened up quite a bit more than you would like for a turkey load. I'll have to see if I still have those articles. I still use #4 shot Remington Wingmaster (had a bunch leftover from back in the day) and #4 Hevi shot with a Cabela's Hevi Shot choke tube. They pattern great. I have my daughter set up with the Hevi Shot blend (#5-#7) and an HS Strut Undertaker and it patterns awesome. I'd have no problem with her unleashing her 20 gauge at 20 yards with her set up. Like Oz says, though, there's not much need to overthink it. Good luck! was that the regular shells or the ones with the resin in it. From what I've heard the resin cover shot is suppose to have less flyers bc the shot is not deformed I'm not sure. I guess some shells.are like fishing lures don't have to catch fish just the angler lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Little Creek Calls Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I don't have any experience with jebs chokes but if you can get tighter patterns shooting Winchester longbeard without switching to a heavy shot tungsten blend shells you will pay for $100 choke in savings after 3 or 4 boxes of shells. Just be aware the manufacture of the gun and barrel length also contribute to the pattern. Different guns will not pattern the same using the same shot and choke. In the next couple months I plan on doing some range test with Winchester longbeard in 12 gauge 3 1/2" shells in #5 & #6. I will not be using a jebs choke but I will let you know what I find. I am looking into a less expensive alternative to the tungsten blend that I am currently using and getting great results with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I don't have any experience with jebs chokes but if you can get tighter patterns shooting Winchester longbeard without switching to a heavy shot tungsten blend shells you will pay for $100 choke in savings after 3 or 4 boxes of shells. Just be aware the manufacture of the gun and barrel length also contribute to the pattern. Different guns will not pattern the same using the same shot and choke. In the next couple months I plan on doing some range test with Winchester longbeard in 12 gauge 3 1/2" shells in #5 & #6. I will not be using a jebs choke but I will let you know what I find. I am looking into a less expensive alternative to the tungsten blend that I am currently using and getting great results with. 3 or 4 boxes? That would last me 30-40 turkey hunts. I originally bought two boxes of 10 shells each. After 3 hunts and 3 birds, I still have 17 left. Turkey hunting isn't like dove hunting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Little Creek Calls Report post Posted November 23, 2015 I don't have any experience with jebs chokes but if you can get tighter patterns shooting Winchester longbeard without switching to a heavy shot tungsten blend shells you will pay for $100 choke in savings after 3 or 4 boxes of shells. Just be aware the manufacture of the gun and barrel length also contribute to the pattern. Different guns will not pattern the same using the same shot and choke. In the next couple months I plan on doing some range test with Winchester longbeard in 12 gauge 3 1/2" shells in #5 & #6. I will not be using a jebs choke but I will let you know what I find. I am looking into a less expensive alternative to the tungsten blend that I am currently using and getting great results with. 3 or 4 boxes? That would last me 30-40 turkey hunts. I originally bought two boxes of 10 shells each. After 3 hunts and 3 birds, I still have 17 left. Turkey hunting isn't like dove hunting. I try to hunt two or three states each year and most other states I hunt allow you to shoot two birds. Also on the Arizona youth hunt I usually let the youth I hunt with use my gun and ammo. I also check my sights each year before doing any turkey hunting (my sights are fully adjustable and not the normal shotgun bead). I find myself using around 1 box of 10 shells each year. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
