Help me decide please...SBE2 and jellyhead 660

[kyduck1]

I have been shooting winchester supreme loads in the past, but was wanting a small upgrade in shells this season.  I have been doing a lot of research on the internet and forums, but no real consensus.  I know every gun patterns different, but if you were going to purchase some new shells with this setup what would it be?
I have been really focusing on the hevi 13's, winchester extended range, and hevi mag blend. 
Please help me pick one to try!!

Thanks guys

[ridgerunner]

I don't see how you can go wrong with Hevi 13, 3.5, 2oz #6.

[sbe2#]

I have shot the jellyhead .660 out of my sbe II and had some good results with the hevi 13 6's and 7's. I got the best results with the 3 1/2" hevi magnum blends (220 in 10" @40yds). I also tried the Winchester xtended range hi-density and I would not recommend them. I ended up with a Wrights #3 choke (.650) which gives me a nice even pattern at 40 yards with either hevi 13 or magnum blends. The jellyhead is a decent choke for the $$ but the Wrights gave me the pattern I was after. Oh and by the way, the 3 1/2" magnum blends will give you a good thumping so if you are recoil sensitive I would stick to the hevi 13. Good luck!

[alabamabowman]

I've gotten outstanding results with the hevi13 3.5" #7s using my sbeII and jellyhead. Killed several birds 50 to 60 yds. I have total confidence in this combo.

[alabamabowman]

here's a pic

[kyduck1]

From other posts it seems like others are having pattern problems with that restriction on the choke and the heavy 13 6's and 7's???

[Hooks' n' Beards']

I Had great Luck with My Jellyhead ,But sold it and bought a Kicks Gobblin Thunder,Which i have not received yet.

[kyduck1]

Saw some posts on 3 inch magna blends outperforming the 3.5 inch heavy 13's with this combo also....anyone with any insight??  Thanks for the replies so far guys

[Philippe]

Winchester Extended Range 3.5" 6's or Hevi 3.5" 6's

[mightyjoeyoung]

How can you consider going from a MAX of barely able to get over 100 in the 10" at 40 yards from lead shot to easilly being able to get double that in virtually any HTL shot in that gun/choke a SMALL upgrade??!!  My SBE II prints 230+ easilly through a JH using almost any 3" or 3.5" HTL load of 6s or 7s...         

[kyduck1]

Well a small upgrade in that using those old shells, I have yet to not get the turkey I was shooting at.  However, they have been 35 yrds or less each time.  I am taking a trip to SD this year, and being unsure of distances that I might be shooting I was wanting to try something a little different and have better performance at longer distances.  I have never tried to pattern any of the hevi shot, mag blends, or extended range.  I was curious about everyones experience with combo's that have worked for them. 
Thanks

[mightyjoeyoung]

If you're going out west, I suggest and I'm sure other will concur, that you get a decent range finder.  Don't risk possible poor range estimation and a possible crippled bird. That said, if you are looking for that 40 yard with some wiggle room for a miss guess on the range load, I would most definetely look at the HTL loads and your jelly head is a great choke to start patterning with.  If you can get say a nice, even 200-240 in the 10" with a nice 20" you should have no trouble destorying every bird you drop the hammer on.  you mentioned just about every HTL load in your op so you pretty much answered your question with that post.  Just trying to shoot just one load and expecting...hoping. you'll have a winner, especially with a SBE II is just not reasonable.  You could easilly get drastically different results between all three.  The mag blends, win ext rng 6s, and hevi strt 6s & 7s will do the job but you're going to just have to pattern them and see which ones give you the best pattern in your gun.  You can ask what load to try and get a thousand different answers. Patterning is the only way to be sure you're gonna be good when it comes time to kill em.

[K9Doc]

If you're going out west, I suggest and I'm sure other will concur, that you get a decent range finder.  Don't risk possible poor range estimation and a possible crippled bird. That said, if you are looking for that 40 yard with some wiggle room for a miss guess on the range load, I would most definetely look at the HTL loads and your jelly head is a great choke to start patterning with.  If you can get say a nice, even 200-240 in the 10" with a nice 20" you should have no trouble destorying every bird you drop the hammer on.  you mentioned just about every HTL load in your op so you pretty much answered your question with that post.  Just trying to shoot just one load and expecting...hoping. you'll have a winner, especially with a SBE II is just not reasonable.  You could easilly get drastically different results between all three.  The mag blends, win ext rng 6s, and hevi strt 6s & 7s will do the job but you're going to just have to pattern them and see which ones give you the best pattern in your gun.  You can ask what load to try and get a thousand different answers. Patterning is the only way to be sure you're gonna be good when it comes time to kill em.

What he said.  Ammo is the least of your expenses when planning an out of state trip.  Get a box of each kind of ammo.  You and a buddy can split the cost and then figure out which is right for your gun and choke combo.  Spend the extra on patterning so when the moment of truth arrives you can take home your trophy.  good luck

[mdtkyhntr]

I shoot Winchester Xtended 3.5" 6's out of my SBE II. I also used this combo in SD and Nebraska a few years back and smashed every bird I shot at. Your shots in SD should not be farther than 40 yds anyway, or any further than you're used to shooting.