I harvest 3 to 10 toms a year in multiple states and have great results with Longbeard 6's. Most of my shots are in the 15 to 45 yard range. I've found that if I can get within 40 yards and make a good shot that every shot is a dead bird. I don't miss very often....and if I do it's not due to the shell it's because of me! I would have missed the shot with every shell made! The one thing I've learned over the years is not to take shots longer than 50 yards and make sure I take my time and line up a great kill shot. If I wait things out for a good shot it usually ends up in success!
When I first started turkey hunting I watched quite a few youtube videos on shell comparison and reviews. Some of them compared shot sizes and different shell manufactors. From what I remember #6 hold their pattern better at long range and had more pellets on a turkey head than larger shot (4's and 5's). There is more shot/shell in 6''s vs 4 or 5's.
Buffered and moly-coated pellets produce a denser pattern than conventional shot. Hevi-Shot broke the World Record with a pattern that scored 42 pellet holes in a 3" circle at 40 yards, and holds world record titles in every class! It also delivers 20% more knockdown energy and up to 40% longer range than lead shells. HEVI-13 pellets are about 20% denser than lead and penetrate far deeper. Is it worth the high price/shell....the choice is yours to have the ability to shoot a little farther? Most of the toms I shoot are almost too close and I often have to wait for them to move farther out to shoot.
Longbeard shells are no slouch. Shot-Lok™ Technology, your shot is protected during in-bore acceleration, launching the round in a near-perfect circle for hard-hitting and extremely tight long-range patterns. The results – 10% greater penetration over standard lead loads beyond 50 yds and twice the number of pellets in a 10" circle out to 60 yds.
Longbeards are medium priced. The past few years there are always mail in rebaits for a couple $ off. If you ask me, it's really not worth double the price for the high dollar shells.....I've had great success with Longbeard 6's so will likely continue using them unless there is significant price drop in other shells.