just wondering what folks use and why when it comes to lead 5 or 6 shot and why. Ive always shot 6's with lead for no other reason then more pellets in the shell, just thought id see why others shoot the same or why you like 5s better.
I prefer #6 lead because it has the highest density pattern (more pellets) and retains just enough foot/pounds of energy at 40 yards to kill. No further than that though.
6's for me too! More pellets on target and they seem to have PLENTY of killing power at 40 yards!!! More pellets is better...right ;D :TooFunny: ;D
6's for me for the same reasons as the others. I would shoot 5's if they would put up reasonable patterns but they havent in any of my gun's. I will be tryin the new WIN. long beard in #5's tho.
I use lead #6's (when I don't shoot hevi), because they stopped making my #7.5's. ;)
Quote from: reynolds243 on February 03, 2014, 10:28:51 AM
just wondering what folks use and why when it comes to lead 5 or 6 shot and why. Ive always shot 6's with lead for no other reason then more pellets in the shell, just thought id see why others shoot the same or why you like 5s better.
It's a good question. For years the largest selling lead shot size for Winchester in their turkey loads has been #5s. Most believe it has to do with the compromise factor. In 12 gauge they offered #4, #5 and #6 shot, so a large percentage of shooters chose the one in the middle.
On forums like OG today, it's pretty normal to see shooters state that they use #6 shot. That's quite a change from the time when I started and everyone I knew used #4 shot and thought anything smaller was unsportsmanlike to use on a bird as big as a turkey.
Times change and trends change over the years of course. With the introduction of tungsten-based shot, about 14 years ago, the need for anything larger than #6 kind of vanished, when using those shells.
The introduction of #7 shot really changed perceptions of what size shot was acceptable and effective.
Lead retains the same retained energy that it has over the years, changed only by an increase or decrease in terminal velocity. Maybe a new generation of turkey hunters will change what size shot sells and what doesn't.
Thanks,
Clark
I used to shoot mostly 5s and a few 6s depending on the gun and its preference. But now that I'm seeing what these new Winchester Longbeards are doing I've changed up to 4s and 5s!
Quote from: SCDieselDawg on February 03, 2014, 02:33:12 PM
I used to shoot mostly 5s and a few 6s depending on the gun and its preference. But now that I'm seeing what these new Winchester Longbeards are doing I've changed up to 4s and 5s!
thats kinda what sparked my question. I have shot magblends and HV for years and still have a large stock pile of them. I have a box of the new winchester 6's but how well this shell is shooting i wondered how much the benefit of 5s would be in the grand scheme of things. I may get a box to test them out but thought it is a good discussion as i haven't been in the lead "world" for a long time.
Most of the time if I am using lead 5's or larger it means I am hunting thick timber with overgrowth and my shots are no more than 20-30yds tops. If i am shooting over a bean field I normally use 6's for better pattern density but I still keep all my shots well under 40. I like seeing just how close I can get'em before I need to pull the trigger :funnyturkey:
I like #6, they seem to pattern the best in my turkey guns. I use Winchester "Supreme" 3 1/2" HV 2oz. loads of #6 shot in my 12 ga. Benelli SBE and the same load in my Browning BPS 10 Ga.
I've killed a bunch of turkeys with Win HV #6 both 3" and 3.5" and a few were around 45 yards so but you had better know your gun when your pushing it past 40. That load has shoot great from both of my 870's.
Being a former #6 lead shooter I will be trying the #5 long beards now. If I can get 150+ lead 5's that's better than anything I ever got with 6's with a little extra insurance.
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number 4 and 5 for me ,more energy when shooting lead :OGturkeyhead:
I've shot mostly 6's but also killed several with 5's. Oftentimes it was just a matter of what I could find at wally world when I was needing shells haha. Of course I'd shoot a couple for pattern purposes but back then I had no idea about using 10 in circles. We just shot at turkey head targets. I've used hevi 6's for the last 3 or 4 years but may go back when I'm out.
Quote from: SCDieselDawg on February 03, 2014, 02:33:12 PM
I used to shoot mostly 5s and a few 6s depending on the gun and its preference. But now that I'm seeing what these new Winchester Longbeards are doing I've changed up to 4s and 5s!
When I shot lead it was 5's as well. I might be going back to 4's lookin at these new patterns from L.B.
I've always been a fan of #5s in lead. I've used lead 4s,5s,& 6s to kill birds all with great results. I like 5s for the added power over the 6s and because 5s produce a better patterns than the 4s. I will be going back to lead this year in my 935 and will be using 3.5 Longbeard 5s
always have used and loved #4's and 5's
have used 6's,but never been a big fan of them and don't trust them
Guys keep saying "I've always used them" and "I've always been a fan" my question really is WHY and I don't mean just it patterned better that part I get.
Always been a #5 man for lead. It seemed like it was always the best median in pattern density and knock down power. I have never been comfortable using #6 lead. I know it will kill, but my confidence was down when I used it. I have even used 4's which will flat knock a turkeys head from its shoulders, but you had to get them close. That's why I am so interested in trying the Long Beards, especially the 4's, because if you can put 140 shots in the 10" circle at 40 yards with 4's, then you have yourself one very very mean turkey load.
Quote from: reynolds243 on February 03, 2014, 08:23:26 PM
Guys keep saying "I've always used them" and "I've always been a fan" my question really is WHY and I don't mean just it patterned better that part I get.
#5's have always been my favorite,one reason is that they are a perfect balance between pellet #'s and pellet energy,the other reason is that they have patterned pretty good in just about everything that I shoot
I like em both, but you'll have more down range kinetic energy with 5's than 6's. But I do prefer 5's for that very fact.
I guess I was trying to say that I really don't have a preference between the two. Seemed like I could mix and match and the end result was always a dead turkey.
6s because they kill turkeys!!
5s to CMA. In case I think he's hung up at 40 and he's actually 46-48. :OGturkeyhead:
I think 6s have historically been the better choice due to the greatly increased number of pellets in the load. It used to take a good bit of effort with some guns to achieve 100/10 @ 40 yds with any lead shell, and 6s gave you the best chance. But a lot of people got some great patterns last year with 5s in the Turkey Thugs shells. And now, the new Winch LBs are throwing some pretty mean patterns with 4s, 5s, and 6s, which might make me lean toward the 5s. The increased energy of the 5s vs the 6s is great as long as you are still putting up killing patterns at whatever your max range is.
i shoot winchester supremes 3.5" #5's out of my browning bps and have no reason to change,it works.
I plan on shooting winchester #6 out of my 20 gauge.
I like the 5 and 4 shot , if you have a good pattern ,use the large shot i believe.
I think it retains energy and maybe velocity better, just shoot it against boards or metal and see the difference.
If you need the 6 shot for a pattern in the ten, that's fine, but 6 lead shot barely penetrating in the neck does not give me confidence in the field.
Was the pattern the only thing you noticed with HTL SHOT ? Or was the kill power that you paid for too? The larger heavier lead shot sizes help in this way too i believe. High velocity 4's slam turkeys. :morning:
Just my opinion.
As a general rule I like #6s as they give denser patterns and my shots are usually 30 yds and under, so 6's fit the bill quite nicely for that. However , I let the choke/shell/gun combo tell me what it likes best. #5s are capable of more bone fracturing and have more energy than 6s if at the same velocity and I would have no problem shooting them at all.
Whatever you prefer is my answer, both will kill a turkey.
As far as 6's not being able to penetrate bone at 40-45 yards, I know better ;D having done several autopsies in the past :OGturkeyhead:
Quote from: owlhoot on February 04, 2014, 09:24:33 AM
I like the 5 and 4 shot , if you have a good pattern ,use the large shot i believe.
I think it retains energy and maybe velocity better, just shoot it against boards or metal and see the difference.
If you need the 6 shot for a pattern in the ten, that's fine, but 6 lead shot barely penetrating in the neck does not give me confidence in the field.
Was the pattern the only thing you noticed with HTL SHOT ? Or was the kill power that you paid for too? The larger heavier lead shot sizes help in this way too i believe. High velocity 4's slam turkeys. :morning:
Just my opinion.
X2
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I done a test when I first started hunting turkey using winchester 3 1/2 4,5,6's my target was paint thinner cans ( like Colman fuel cans ) at 50 steps 6's put a lot dents in a can , 5's around 50 went in the can 4's 26 went through the can . After that I've never bought lead. 6's . Thank goodness for heavier than lead
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