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Hi I am new to the forum and all types of hunting. I was wondering about the 3 " 12 gauge Winchester Blind Side was as good as Winchester says it is. They claim high velocity and 15% more pellets and more powder. Has anyone used it ? Is it any good ? Is it all just B.S. ?

I haven't used it to allow me to answer your question.

Seemed like a gimmick. No need to spend that much on shells to kill ducks...

Mostly BS in my opinion. It did pattern pretty good out of my gun though. I never have it a fair chance in the field, but I don't like spending $20+/box for shells. I've heard mixed reviews on penetration. Some say it rips them a new one and others say the pellets won't break the skin.
I wouldn't say it's any better than the cheapo loads. Try federal blue box, kent fasteel, or Winchester expert. They all nock the birds down pretty good.

kent

Remington sportsman is good stuff too.

Flightstopper wrote:kent

This was my choice before I started making my own. From BB-#4 it all patterned great from my 870.

I bought a few boxes of the black cloud on sale and don't have any issues with them. Wouldn't pay full price for them but for 14 a box said screw it. They knock down ducks just as good as the winchesters and the Kent's and the Remington's and the rio's. Haven't had any destroyed birds either.

Probably a few more pellets but #4 shot is still #4 shot and, an ounce and a quarter is still an ounce and a quarter. That said, under certain circumstances, it is probably great. On the other hand round shot has been killing ducks and geese for over a hundred years. I don't think it is worth the extra money.

My dad and I swear by it now. I know not everyone is going to have the same experience, but we have seen less cripples. Obviously if you are always spot on shots, you will see less cripples, but the damage those things create gives you more leeway with how well you are hitting ducks. I don't believe the diamond cut wad giving you a better pattern or whatever it says on the box, the only thing I have notice is the shot does more trauma, which makes sense because the shape of the b seems like it would carry more air behind it. Now, I am not sure if my dad and I are seeing less cripples because of this shell, but I am going to go ahead and assume it is, and continue sing them. Whether or not you use them is totally up to you. If you really want to know, pick up a box and try them for yourself, and see if you see any differences.

The best shell is the one you have the most confidence in.

NuffDaddy wrote:The best shell is the one you have the most confidence in.

Bingo.

I found it on sale last year. Thought I'd give it a try basesld on the extra payload. 1 3/8 instead of 1 1/4 oz of shot. Seemed to do well. Can't speak to to magic diamond cut was as I didn't pattern it but caused pretty good wound channels and bleeding. I'll make up a number and call it about 15% better than a federal load

I've heard a lot of stuff about the hex pellets tangling up in the feathers.

We have picked a LOT of blindside pellets out of birds the last few years, nobody in our group shoots blindside.

jehler wrote:We have picked a LOT of blindside pellets out of birds the last few years, nobody in our group shoots blindside.

I heard you say this before oddly.

jehler wrote:We have picked a LOT of blindside pellets out of birds the last few years, nobody in our group shoots blindside.

The meat or feathers?

rebelp74 wrote:

jehler wrote:We have picked a LOT of blindside pellets out of birds the last few years, nobody in our group shoots blindside.

The meat or feathers?

mostly right under the skin

I like Experts. That "welding slag" (thanks jehler) already has all sorts of crazy shapes.

jehler wrote:

rebelp74 wrote:

jehler wrote:We have picked a LOT of blindside pellets out of birds the last few years, nobody in our group shoots blindside.

The meat or feathers?

mostly right under the skin

I always wondered how that shit flew straight

The one thing "specialty" ammo doesn't do is make you a better shooter; time on the range does. I used to shoot black cloud but went back to Xperts because they work just as good when I did my part.

Tungsten will make it better.

You don't even have to hit them with tungsten. The shear sight of it will make them fall from the sky.

NuffDaddy wrote:You don't even have to hit them with tungsten. The shear sight of it will make them fall from the sky.

Hevimetal