doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hevi Shot "Classic Doubles" /Best Value non-tox?

Hi all, sorry if this has already been discussed ....I ran a couple searches but could not turn up anything recent.

Anyhow, as waterfowl season approaches I'd like to pick up some non-tox ammo for use in English doubles, primarily a Holland "Northwood," which is a fairly modern gun. Obviously I cannot shoot steel, so I am looking for the next best value.

I see Hevi-Shot is offering a $50 rebate, so I am interested in opinions on their "Classic Doubles" loads.....anyone?? They are 1 1/8oz loads, claim to be safe for fixed chokes and only 1150fps. Sounds good to me...what are your opinions? I am considering picking up a case of the #5 for blasting ducks. After postage and the rebate the cost would be around $2.70 per shot. Are there any alternatives that offer a better value? BTW, for multiple reasons reloading is not an option. Thanks.

Hi Garten,

I just bought a case of the HeviShot Classic Doubles and used the $50 rebate myself.

A couple of things:

1. The Classic Doubles line is very soft and is safer for the bores of old guns than any of the other hevi shot products.

2. The line is selling poorly and in fact, Cabelas is clearing them all out. I bought 10 boxes for $25.88 each and then got the $50 rebate. Buying a few boxes and sending rebates for friends at $10 a piece is even a better way to go. Head to Cabelas and stock up while you can!

3. The pressure "safety" of these shells is dubious. I have in writing from Hevi Shot that the pressures of the shells are between 7500-8500 psi each. That is the difference between under proof and over proof tolerances for an English gun proofed to 850 bar / 3 tons. Buyer beware that they aren't quite as nice as you might hope.

4. They have pathetic stopping power. Every review compares them unjustly to 3" magnum steel it seems, so they aren't completely comparing apples to apples. I'll tell you that they don't hit like lead and you really need to hit ducks squarely to get a knock down. I'd suggest the #4 for duck and the #5 for pheasant and partridge.

Those are pretty much the facts for light loads these days.

The Northwood is proofed 3 1/2 tons (it is a 3" gun) and I also have a Lang and a Greener each at 3 1/4 tons. The Classic Doubles cartridges should be perfectly fine for these particular guns, no?

Yes, pressure wise, you should be fine. The stopping power of the non-toxic load leaves something to be desired but a well placed shot out of the correct choke within reasonable, responsible distances should be just fine. It worked for me last year.

Could you explain how these "reviews" were done ?

Take a look at some of the online reviews. (unscientific, but many opinions that point in a direction)

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hevi-Shot174-Classic-Doubles-Waterfowl-Shotshells-Per-Box/740165.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dclassic%2Bdoubles%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=classic+doubles&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I bought a bunch when they first came out. To say that the shell performed dismally would be a compliment. I contacted the factory and they promptly replaced all my ammo with regular hevi-shot. They tested the ammo I sent back and it was all within their specifications. Now I'm not saying it won't kill a duck, but when it takes at least 3 shots to bring to hand every bird hit, it just isn't worth it no matter what it costs. Buy some Kent Matrix and you'll think its 1975 all over again. JW

I bought a case of 12.ga 2 & 3/4" # 4's and at 35 and 40 yards it looks very impressive on the steel pattern board.

Why do you think it doesn't (or wouldn't) kill well ?

As an aside about steel & no tox shot: "inside 40 yards" can be quite elusive for many.

One way to assist judging 'within range' is to place several decoys [one more or less center & one ea. on the flanks] at 35 yards out from the blind; a hand held laser range finder may be used to great advantage placing those decoys. You can use a stick or even a pole rather than a decoy if you prefer, but it needs to be something readily identifiable & easily seen.

FWIW, I have found 1&1/8oz. 2&3/4" 12ga. steel loads of #4's in the 1300fps. range [hardly 'MAGNUM'] to be quite effective on ducks inside 35 yards. #3's are even better, but not always readily available. And Hevi Shot of sufficient size kills as well as lead for distance shooting and does not require Mach 1.5 velocities to do it. Also might wanna take a box of steel #7 target loads for use as 'swatters' when needed.

Best in sport & good shooting, tw

I have used a lot of "hevishot" loads, not in the "Classic" loading, it seems (seat of the pants) very impressive. Depending on how the geese are working that day, I will either use steel bargain price #3's or hevishot. I have seen several less tha favorable comments on the "Classic" loading but have no experience with it. I will say that 3 1/2 10 bore loads "Hevishot" kill geese a long way out...just like back in the day...Steel 3's for ducks...