Hevi-Shot Magnum blend help

[Rick Howard]

This maybe a little bit of a repeat post.  I apologize for that. 

I have been messing with getting a better pattern out of my Remington 870 Express Magnum 20ga.  I was really turned onto the idea after a friend showed me his pattern (different gun).  I knew then, that I have lots of room for improvement. 

I am not far into the project.  My spare time is still going to turkey hunting and call making but, on and impulse, I picked up some Hevi-Shot Magnum Blend and a Tru-Glo gobble stopper choke.  Results were no better than what I was shooting before. (Remington Nirto Turkey #5 from a lead only Rem Turkey choke).

The Magnum blends are fairly easy to find.  I thought about the Fed HW loads but they are always out of stock everywhere I go. YOU CAN NOT MAIL ORDER AMMO IN NY  I do not want to have to fight the hording and I saw rumors that the HW is going away or shot sizes wont be available or something like that...  I kicked around the idea of loading my own shot shells but for several reasons I am not going that route.  That said, I want to get the Mag Blends to shoot well if I can.       

I would like to hear some recommends on a choke that will put the Hevi Mag Blends where I want them.  I am not trying to create a long range shotgun but I would like to feel confident between 20-50 yards.

Maybe I am asking more than this little gun can handle?

[Greg Massey]

From what I understand the mag blends don't pattern all that great ...the Federal Hw 7 are not going aways . Its just going to be a while before they are back in stock.. you should for now be able to fine some HW 6 or hevi 7 in stock..try those.. also look at trulock chokes they make a choke just for the hw 7 or hevi 7 ... don't forget these shells have a rebate...and trulock has a 60 day return if you don't like the choke...they are great people to work with and great service.

[Rick Howard]

So the availability of the Magnum Blends may be because no one likes them lol.  My buddy just dropped off a Primos Tight Wad for me to try.  He picked it up at wally world for $15 bucks.   

[Rem Man]

   I have the same gun with a tightwad choke and it shoots mag blends great to 35 yds! I think I got around 170 with them at 30 yds. I will double check that.

[Dtrkyman]

the hevi straight 7s shot better than the blends for me!

[Terry]

The Hevi #7's are really hard to find in NY. I did recently see them at the cabelas in Buffalo. Their limited availability after we couldn't order them online anymore is why I switched to the magblends. I am getting around 170 in a ten inch circle at 40 yards. It's decent, but not the 290's I was getting with the 7's. I am using the Hevi .662 choke and 3-1/2" shells.


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[Dtrkyman]

 Terry we are talking 20ga here!

[Terry]

Terry we are talking 20ga here!

Doh!

[Rick Howard]

Thank you fellas.  Do t sweat it terry, you were still helpful. 

[njdevilsb]

It's too bad that you have trouble finding the Federal HW loads.  My local Gander Mountain has had them in stock for the last 2 or 3 years.  That's what I shoot out of my 870 20 gauge.  I don't get the great patterns that some people get with them out of my gun, but it's a 40 yard gun all day long.  I currently use a Remington Super Full in mine.

I have never shot Magnum Blends in 20 gauge.  I didn't really like the patterns it threw out of my 12 gauge.