Test Results: XLR Bulrush Max 5

On the range, I broke my evaluation of Fabarm’s XLR Bulrush Max 5 semi-auto shotgun into three components. First, I patterned eight mixed steel and non-toxic premium waterfowl loads at 40 yards using a full choke. Next, I switched to a modified choke and patterned six mixed steel and non-toxic duck loads of #3, #4, and #5 shot using Birchwood Casey mallard splattering targets. Finally, it was off to the trap range where I had my son, Brent, handle the honours for one round. Throughout, the gun cycled both light target and heavy magnum loads with ease, although off the bench the recoil generated by those magnum loads reminded me of just how light this gun is.

Other than Remington Hyper Sonic Steel, the waterfowl loads patterned low and to the left. As a corrective measure, the comb would have to be raised along with a cast-off adjustment. However, if I were to shoot nothing but the Remington load, I would make no adjustment. When I switched to a modified choke for the six duck loads, meanwhile, the pattern location and density showed some improvement (see the charts below). These results reaffirm why patterning a shotgun with different loads and chokes is essential for ensuring clean kills and a full game bag. On the trap range, with the gun choked modified, neither it nor Brent disappointed, as he did not miss a single bird. With all the ducks counted, this is a well-made, quick-on-point shotgun that would be right at home in any waterfowl blind.

40-yard 30-inch Circle Shot Pattern Density and Distribution – Full Choke

Ammunition	Upper Left Pattern Density	Upper Right Pattern Density Advertisement	Lower Left Pattern Density	Lower Right Pattern Density
Hevi Tungsten 3”, 1 1/4 oz. BB, 1450 fps	4	2	24	3
Winchester Blind Side, 2 ¾”, 1 1/4 oz #2, 1400 fps	15	7	64	32
Federal Black Cloud FS Steel 3”, 11/4 oz #3, 1450 fps	18	12	70	33
Remington Hyper Sonic Steel, 3”, 11/8 oz, #4, 1700 fps	48	45	30	24
Bowning Wicked Blend, 3”, 11/4oz, #2 steel & #4 bismuth, 1450 fps	10	3	42	11
Kent Impact Tungsten Matrix, 3”, 11/4 oz, #5, 1525 fps	21	10	71	45
Hevi Shot, 3”, 11/2 oz, #4, 1350 fps	22	6	98	20
Kent Bismuth, 3”, 11/4 oz, #3	12	8	65	40

 

40-yard Birchwood Casey Mallard Splattering Targets – Modified Choke

Ammunition	Hits 10” Circle
Federal Black Cloud FS Steel 3”, 11/4 oz #3, 1450 fps	17
Remington Hyper Sonic Steel, 3”, 11/8 oz, #4, 1700 fps	31
Bowning Wicked Blend, 3”, 11/4oz, #2 steel & #4 bismuth, 1450 fps	12
Kent Impact Tungsten Matrix, 3”, 11/4 oz, #5, 1525 fps	31
Hevi Shot, 3”, 11/2 oz, #4, 1350 fps	20
Kent Bismuth, 3”, 11/4 oz, #3	16

For more on the XLR Bulrush Max 5, see Outdoor Canada’s July/August (Summer) 2024 issue.