Video: Turkey Test, Winchester Long Beard XR Ammo at 20-70 Yards
Melissa Bachman 03.31.17
Spring is finally in the air! Turkey seasons are opening across the country, and it’s time to ensure your guns are spot-on.
I’ve been using Winchester Long Beard XR ammunition for a couple of seasons, but I’m excited that this year they are also offering it for 20 gauge. I usually shoot a 12 gauge, but it’s nice knowing that people have the option. This weekend I’m taking a young boy out for his first turkey, and he’ll be putting the 20-gauge Long Beard XR to the test.
For my own setup, I wanted to do a little test. I often use the Winchester’s Pattern Board App to compare loads side by side, and see how many pellets are in the kill zone at various distances, but I still like to test my skills as the shooter at the range.
This year I dialed in my gun with a new EOTech 512 optic, then shot one time at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 yards. Personally, I like to aim right above where the feathers meet the neck. This way, I get more pellets in the neck and head, and less wasted over the top.
The results were truly incredible. My gear included a 12-gauge Winchester Super X3 NWTF Cantilever Turkey Shotgun with 3½-inch No. 5 Long Beard XR ammo. As for a choke, I was using the Invector-Plus Extra-Full Turkey Extended Choke Tube, which comes with this shotgun.
Watch the video to see each shot, the patterns, and how lethal the Long Beard XR will be this spring.
