Winchester Blind Side

[Drakeshead]

Winchester Blind Side

Hex-shaped pellets put more steel shot on target by L. P. Brezny

Winchester is making a move in the premium steel shotshell category with the introduction of Blind Side, a non-toxic option featuring hexagon-shaped pellets.

One primary advantage of non-round shot is increased packing density in the bull. Because Blind Side pellets have six sides, the shot stacks, increasing the pellet count and allowing a larger payload. A basic 12-gauge, 3-inch shotshell holds a maximum of 1 ¼ ounces of pellets in a 3-inch hull---a stiff payload for an iron shot load.

TESTING VELOCITY
Blind Side has a stated muzzle velocity of 1,400 feet per second. I measured the velocity at 1,351 fps 3 feet from the muzzle using an Oehler Chronotech Model 33. My test barrel was 28 inches long, and the choke was a 40-point Invector-Plus full.

Flad-sided pellets raise the question of faster velocity loss downrange because of added wind drag. Using a 3-inch, No.2 Blind Side load, I turned to my own self-designed downrange chronograph system to answer the question. Shooting at 40 yards from the muzzle over my armored Chronotech photo screens, the Oehler returned a measured downrange velocity of 634 fps. The calculated reading was based on a modified-choke muzzle velocity at 1,354 fps at time of the downrange velocity test. Standard round No. 2 steel will return close to the same velocity. I say “close” because on any given day, plus varied altitude, air temperature, barometric pressure and wind, the number can increase or decrease. Please also not that muzzle velocity testing is always at 3 feet from the muzzle and slower than the actual muzzle velocity. Winchester states that the new load runs out at 1,400 fps, which agrees with my velocity test.

DATA
Remington CTi 105-II----Full Choke------------------70% Pattern at 40 yards
Remington CTi 105-II----Mod Choke-----------------54% Pattern at 40 yards
Remington CTi 105-II----IC Choke-------------------51% Pattern at 40 yards
Winchester Super X3----Full Choke------------------81% Pattern at 40 yards
Winchester Super X3----Mod Choke-----------------62% Pattern at 40 yards
Winchester Super X3----IC Choke-------------------54% Pattern at 40 yards
Winchester Super X3----Hevi-Shot Super Full Choke--98% Pattern at 40 yards

PATTERNS AND CHOKES
During testing, Blind Side produced varied patterns with small changes in choke dimension. When fired through my Remington CTi 105-II in three choke configurations, the level of performance was very different from test rounds through the Invector-Plus choke-tube system in a Winchester Super X3. No.2 Blind Side printed an average of 81 percent inside of a 30-inch circle at 40 yards based on three test rounds downrange.

Non-round pellets don’t generally fly as straight as round pellets. Winchester Ammunition engineers thought out that yes, the shape of the shot had greatly been altered, but each pellet was altered in exactly the same way. Pellets with a uniform design tended to fly true.

The above data table illustrates the full, modified and improved cylinder patterns produced by Winchester Super X3 and Invector-Plus factory choke tubes, and the Remington CTi 105-II shooting the same series of choke sizes in the Remington choke-tube wrapper. Note the different patter downrange was major. Don’t assume anything about your choke system, and always put shot on paper before hunting. I also shot the Winchester Super X3with a Hevi-Shot extended special high-performance super-full choke for an aftermarket choke comparison. That choke was my long-range ace in the hole at 98 percent with a tight core for a three-round average.

MORE PELLETS
A problem associated with steel shot from day one in its development was the fact that when pellet sizes increased, payload space was squeezed. The 3 ½-inch, 12 gauge shotshell was designed to hold larger pellets to pattern well enough to kill large ducks and geese. Winchester hex-sided pellets allow more steel to fit in the same space. The No.2 payload in Blind Side 1 3/8-ounce loads count out to 169 pellets. More pellets in the shell should equate to more pellets hitting the bird.

The new diamond cut wad seems to generate additional positive payload control downrange. Wads were all recovered close to the same place when fired in windless conditions during pattern testing and chronograph velocity work. As previously illustrated, the ability of the payload to print solid patterns is clearly evident. Winchester has used two-piece wads in other non-toxic ammunition in the past, and that design is applied to Blind side. The primary payload container (shot cup) is separate from the gas seal plastic wad that sits independently under the diamond cut wad.

ENERGY TRANSFER
I employed two test systems to gain understanding of the net effect of hex shot on soft targets downrange. First, I fired test rounds at 40 yards into ballistic gelatin, and then at pinned dead birds. Pellets recovered from a previously harvested and pinned Canada goose, as well as an observed energy channel against ballistic gel, indicated the pellets in Blind Side loads transfer energy to tissue quite well. The “smoke line” in the gel that develops as a temporary expanded wound channel was larger at times as per the first contact point than that found when shooting standard round iron shot loads side by side against hex shot.

Penetration was about the same as standard No. 2 steel. Blind Side was more than adequate to reach vitals, break bones or disrupt the nervous system in even large birds at decoy ranges.

Pinned (dead) waterfowl have been a common learning tool in ballistics. The subject is not going anyplace, can be positioned at exact range distances from the muzzle, and measurements can be done in an accurate and timely manner.

Shooting a Remington 870 turkey special with rifle sights, I put 22 pellets of Blind Side No.2 pellets into a pinned 10 ½-pound Canada goose at 40 yards. I was not looking for waterfowl performance patterns, but as many samples with one shot fired as possible for penetration evaluation when I took the bird apart. What I found upon examination was Blind Side No.2 pellets were a bit light for heavily feathered, large Canada geese. Penetration was adequate in about one-third of the recovered wound channel examples.

I had only 3-inch, No.2 Blind Side to test, but loads are now available in BB shot and 3 ½-inch shells. Goose hunters will welcome larger shot sizes and loads.

L.P. Brezny is a ballistics expert from Piedmont, S.D.

[Greenhead22]

Bought a couple of boxes at Mack's last year and liked them.

[Drakeshead]

What price range are they running? Until this article came out I had never heard of Blind Side.

[Greenhead22]

$20 a box for 3". Mack's had them last year for a "test market" deal with Winchester.

[Drakeshead]

Rogers or Dunn's doesn't show to be carrying Blind Side. Mack's has them for:

12 gauge 3" 1-3/8 ounces BB $199.90+$17 shipping and handling per case
12 gauge 3" 1-3/8 ounces 2 $199.90+$17 shipping and handling per case

12 gauge 3 1/2" 1-5/8 ounces BB $239.90+$17 shipping and handling per case
12 gauge 3 1/2" 1-5/8 ounces 2 $239.90+$17 shipping and handling per case

None are currently in stock.

[eSJay]

saw those in the new macks book last night. now at least i know they are not topwater since they have been endorsed by geeheadtootoo.

[Drakeshead]

saw those in the new macks book last night. now at least i know they are not topwater since they have been endorsed by geeheadtootoo.

Someone else probably paid for them!

I was just wondering when the new Mack's catalog was going to be out. I hope mine gets to me soon!

I see that Mack's tent sale is two weekends this year, September 22-25, and September 29-October2.

[driveby]

I read up on them but wasn't too impressed with the velocities.

[Greenhead22]

I read up on them but wasn't too impressed with the velocities.

Don't get too caught up in the velocity smokescreen that shell companies use. They promote "speed kills" so they can put less shot into a shell and still charge you the same price as if you were buying the premium, max payload shell. Just more profit in their pockets.

You give me a choice, day in, day out, and I'll choose the max payload shell with 1300 or less FPS.

I'm seeing a lot more 1 1/4 oz loads in 3.5" shells these days. So now you've got a choice. Spend $175 on that case of 3.5's, or spend $100 or less on that same load in a 2 3/4" shell and have the same or better results.

[Drakeshead]

I am seriously thinking about purchasing some of these Winchester shells and trying them out. I too like the "more payload".

[GET-N-RITE]

$20 a box for 3". Mack's had them last year for a "test market" deal with Winchester.

Didn't happen to put any of them on paper did you? Little curious as to how they will pattern

[hntrpat1]

I read up on them but wasn't too impressed with the velocities.

Don't get too caught up in the velocity smokescreen that shell companies use. They promote "speed kills" so they can put less shot into a shell and still charge you the same price as if you were buying the premium, max payload shell. Just more profit in their pockets.

You give me a choice, day in, day out, and I'll choose the max payload shell with 1300 or less FPS.

I'm seeing a lot more 1 1/4 oz loads in 3.5" shells these days. So now you've got a choice. Spend $175 on that case of 3.5's, or spend $100 or less on that same load in a 2 3/4" shell and have the same or better results.

Man do I miss estate 3 1/2 1 1/2 oz 1's going 1400 best damn shell ever

[Greenhead22]

Nope, just on ducks. Patterned well from what I could tell with a Light Mod choke.

Yep, I loved the Estate 3.5" #3's. However, I do know where there is about 5 cases of the 1 9/16 oz BB's.

[driveby]

I read up on them but wasn't too impressed with the velocities.

Don't get too caught up in the velocity smokescreen that shell companies use. They promote "speed kills" so they can put less shot into a shell and still charge you the same price as if you were buying the premium, max payload shell. Just more profit in their pockets.

You give me a choice, day in, day out, and I'll choose the max payload shell with 1300 or less FPS.

I'm seeing a lot more 1 1/4 oz loads in 3.5" shells these days. So now you've got a choice. Spend $175 on that case of 3.5's, or spend $100 or less on that same load in a 2 3/4" shell and have the same or better results.

I know what you're saying. Don't get me wrong, I don't shoot high velocity shells as it is. I just don't see paying twice what I'm already paying for the same speed. I'm shooting 1 1/4 oz loads @ 1400 fps. Being a cheap skate is what hinders me most.

[Greenhead22]

Well, steel shot is steel shot. There's nothing magical that shell companies can do to "enhance" the pellets and charge ungodly amounts of money for it. It is what it is. I've been paying about $100 a case for steel shot the past few years.