any thoughts??

[dannysdaddy]

What's everyone's thought on all these fancy new shotgun shells.  I have used the kent fasteel and black cloud but haven't really seen any difference from the cheaper stuff. Am I missing something?  Let me know your experiences with them.

[ducklab]

The real difference I have seen is in the patterning. This is because when you get cheaper shells you will get more deformed pellets. With the nicer shells all the pellets are uniform. Consistancy is the game. As for decreasing cripples percentages I have seen a small improvement.

[jordano]

I have shot Kent Fasteel, Winchester Xperts, Blackcloud Snow Goose, Hevi Metal... I will say that if you are a good shot it doesn't matter what you shoot.. what I will say is that sometimes if you are having a little bit of an off day and just a little behind/off birds or the shooting conditions are really tough, the Blackclouds and Hevi Metals will be the difference between crippled and killed.. its like the difference between a good beer and a great beer, the good one gets the job done but the great one is just that much better. 

[White Tornado]

I have shot Kent Fasteel, Winchester Xperts, Blackcloud Snow Goose, Hevi Metal... I will say that if you are a good shot it doesn't matter what you shoot.. what I will say is that sometimes if you are having a little bit of an off day and just a little behind/off birds or the shooting conditions are really tough, the Blackclouds and Hevi Metals will be the difference between crippled and killed.. its like the difference between a good beer and a great beer, the good one gets the job done but the great one is just that much better. 

         

[h2ofowlr]

30 yards and under.  I don't have any issues killing the birds with any of the shells mentioned.  If you stretch the shot, that is where the difference is noticed.  You can pattern all day at 30 yards and get various results.  For the most part you have plenty of shot to cover the target.  I used to shoot solid BB's for everything.  I was consistent, I knew what the round could do and my lead was dialed in.  If I didn't have as many pellets hitting my target with brand x, I dropped a size in shot.  Maybe I can use B, in Hevi-Metal, but had to use #1 or #2 in Kent and #2 in Winchester Super X.  Knowing the results that is how I would buy my shells.  The only shell that I kind of enjoyed shooting, but won't anymore are the Remington Hypersonic shells.  To much pressure on the auto loader.  It broke up my Benelli SBEII.  Just because it's out there doesn't mean it should be shot through all guns.  As we talk about uniform shot or shot deformation, have you guys cut into a load of Hevi-Shot.  Many brag about going strictly to this.  They look like little snowmen.  They create a great wound channels.
I would pick up some shells and take them out and shoot some trap and see how you do with them.  Most will throw them on a pattern board, but will never shoot trap with them.  They go buy a box of lead and shoot a round or two.  Smaller shot size, slower speed, unless using a handicap sporting clays load.  Practice with what you hunt with and you will see improved results.

[Rhinoron247]

I say learn to shoot well, then buy the cheap shells and the expensive beer, iit will all balance at the end of the day! 

[dannysdaddy]

I don't have any problems shooting just curious if the new craze is just that or if its  legit.  the consistancy troughout the shot seems to be the biggist plus in the more expensive shells.

[Alan K]

For me, the benefits don't outweigh the costs. Not being the best shot to begin with, I have to be able to afford my shells!