Here are the results from the range. For the record I was using a 12 gauge USH with a Nikon ProStaff 2-7x-32. I would shoot a 3 shot group at 50 yards, and if the groupings were satisfactory I would shoot again at 100. I had a slight cross wind at about 5-10 mph. I would run a bore snake through the barrel every 3 shots.
Load #1- Hastings Laser Accurate Slug 2.75"- This shot very well, 50 yard groups were 1 LARGE ragged hole. 100 yards was approximately 3".
Load #2- Lightfield Hybred 2.75"- Pretty much the same as the Hastings above.
Load #3 Winchester Platinum tip- 2 shots grouped pretty much in the same hole, the third shot was a flier about 5" away. 100 yards these opened up to about a 5" group.
Load #4 Federal Barnes Tipped Expander 2.75" 1900fps- These loads were horrible. I had a hard time keeping them on the 12" paper at 50 yards.
Load #4 Federal Barnes expanders 2.75" 1450 fps- 50 yard group of approximately 2" and 100 yard groups of 3". All 3 of these shots at 100 had the same verticle impact point, the spread was horizontal. I don't know if this was due to the wind?
Load #5 Federal Barnes Expander 3" 1530 fps- Very good load. 50 yard group of around an inch, and a 100 yard group of around 2.5"
I wanted to try a variety of different types of loads in this gun. I had read that the fast loads (1900fps) wouldn't fly well, and that was definately that case. I also heard that the platinum tips were prone to an occasional flyer, which I believe I saw. At $20/box, I think I am done experimenting with those.
Both of the Lightfield/Hastings and the slower Barnes shot well. I would have to give the overall nod to the 3" Barnes, with the Lightfield a very close second.
This was my first time shooting a slug gun, and had a few observations. 1. 100 yards is far. Maybe after a little more range time I will become confident to shoot past that, but as of now that is all I want to try. 2. The kick of the 12 gauge USH is nothing. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't like shooting a trap load, but in comparison to a 3" turkey load (let alone a 3.5") the recoil was hardly noticable. I did install a limbsaver pad, but I don't think that was nessessary. 3. Lightfield/Hastings slugs leave a HUGE hole.......