A few months ago I had a strange batch of Kent Ultimate lead turkey loads with some oversized #6 shot. Kent Cartridge sent a prepaid FedEx label and picked up the remainder of the box. The folks at Kent disassembled the remaining shells and found the shot was slightly oversize, but was within specs for #6. They were troubled to find far too much wad pressure and the star crimps were pushed too deep into the hull. According to their customer service lady (awesome BTW) was likely causing greater than normal pressure and blown patterns as a result.
Kent Cartridge was kind enough to send two full boxes to replace my original box and a letter with their apologies for the inconvenience and for helping them improve their product. I mentioned that it might be helpful to buffer their loads even if it slightly reduces the payload somewhat.
FAST FORWARD TO THE TESTING: In an effort to compare the new data with existing data I already have, all shooting was done at 30 yards and the barrel was swabbed between each shot. The outdoor temp was in the 80's and it was quite windy. My previous best with the original box of Kent Ultimate shells was 145 hits in 10" at 30 yards with my .643" SSX choke.
All shots were fired from my Mossberg 535 Tactical Turkey with a 20" barrel.
Starting from the most open, to the tightest chokes.
Mossberg X-Factor .670" ported XX-Full: 159 hits
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d905b3127ccefde502bfef9100000030O08AbtG7Jm2buQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
Undertaker .665" non-ported: 234 hits
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d905b3127ccefde4aadfcfe900000030O08AbtG7Jm2buQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
Indian Creek BDS .660": 263 hits
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d905b3127ccefde463860e7c00000030O08AbtG7Jm2buQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
Wrights .650" non-ported: 231 hits
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d905b3127ccefde5b4a16ee400000030O08AbtG7Jm2buQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
SSX .643": 186 hits
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1d905b3127ccefde5346f6e6a00000030O08AbtG7Jm2buQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
I haven't shot these particular loads at 40 yards yet, but any of the above chokes are capable Turkey killers at 30 yards. The .660" range appears to be the sweet spot for my 20" barrel and these 2.25 ounce un-buffered payloads. The .650" and .643" chokes are likely too tight for the payload and resulted in slightly blown patterns.
The Indian Creek BDS .660 choke delivered the highest numbers, but the big surprise of the day was my el-cheapo non ported .665" Undertaker. For a $19 choke, it delivered a very nice and even pattern.
Next time I'm hunting tight cover, I just might use one of these loads and take Mr. Gobbles with lead and save $$$ instead of using HTL.
some very nice "hunting" patterns instead of "numbers"patterns you have there,they all will put Mr. Gobbler down for the count with no problems
Very nice, very even killing patterns. That IC really throws a killer pattern. I would love to see what that load does out of the IC at 40!
Quote from: chatterbox on July 29, 2011, 06:09:41 AM
Very nice, very even killing patterns. That IC really throws a killer pattern. I would love to see what that load does out of the IC at 40!
That's my plan! I need to get some more poster board and step back to the 40 yard line of my back yard range.
Nice even patterns. Impressed!
Very impressive patterns for Kent lead I gotta say! I only have one gun used for turkey (out of 5) that like those loads.
Any one of those patterns should get the job done, no sparrows flying through there.
I recently found the Kent 3 1/2 2.25 oz. #5's in my SX3 with a BDS .665 shot 133 hits in 10" circle at 40 yds..Where the Kent #6's only had 117 hits.. You might try some 5 shot.
I do have a box of Kent #5's in my basement inventory. I'll try them this Spring when the temps warm up a bit and the snow is gone.
I was shooting the 3 1/2" 2 1/4 oz #5 kent before i switched to the old rem hevi shot. I killed lots of birds with the kent, even got one at 72 yards( big miss judgement in a field) One thing for sure with those shells is that you feel it when they go off.. ouchie.!