PATTERN

[woodshed]

I'm getting 8-12 pellets in the head and neck at 40 yards. I've read at times I should be shooting for 20.

do I need to make more changes or is this normal/acceptable?

On my paper target I have pellets hit down low where the neck would meet the body. Do these count too? What about in the body?

[snapper]

It only takes 1 to kill 'em! However, these 8-12 pellets...is there anywhere else on the paper that there seems to be a more concentrated area of pellets? Just wondering if maybe adding a scope and adjusting so that the majority of your shot is where you want it.

I personally would like a few more than 8-12 at 40...but that will work if you don't have the means to try different chokes/shells. How many do you get at 35 yards? 30 yards? May have to limit your shot to a certain distance...what are you shooting? 12, 20? 3" or 3 1/2"?

[Strut10]

The hits at the base of the neck count, too. But don't put too much faith in body hits. A gobbler can take a ton of lead to the body and run off. Sounds like you may want to try a different shell or choke tube or both. Either that or just limit your shots to 30 or 35 yards. I like to see 50 or more head & neck hits from my guns. Don't count the "line cutters" or beak and wattle hits either.

[woodshed]

wow, 50 or more would be a long way to go for me.

I'm using a Mossberg 835 I just got. It has the factory choke 12GA.

I tried the 3.5's but the pattern was high right. For some reason the 3" was more centered but still slightly right. It didn't seem that if I moved it over the density would change, but that's hard to tell without doing it.

so I've shot only at 40 yards at this point. With Winchester Supremes 5 shot 3" I got a better pattern than with remington nitros. I have some steel shot on hand but didn't try them because I didn't know if I can with this gun yet.

I'll try #4 and #6 load. Wally World was out of the true glow and HS strut choke tubes today. I'll get them a bass and try them as well.

I'd really like to nail this down with more pellets like yours.

[snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried the 3.5's but the pattern was high right.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you thought of a red dot or 2X scope? The more lead you throw...the better chances you have.

I know I know...you don't need to use 3 1/2" to kill a turkey. I just had this discussion with a fellow from work...he asks (kinda sarcasticly) "why do you use 3 1/2" and take the recoil?" I replied...recoil isn't that bad shooting at a turkey...he says..."but you don't need 3 1/2" so why shoot it?" I ended the discussion by saying...because no one makes a 4" yet! LMAO!

[woodshed]

LOL,, I actually have a red dot on my 1300 and love it. It is all sighted in and ready to go. I'm just hoping to get the 835 going because it's camo with a shorter barrel. If I can get it right I'd like to use it.

the 1300 hundred doesn't get more than 20 in the head and neck either though. Strut10 gets 50! That seems like a lot. I want that. I have "pattern envy" I guess.

the 1300 has 28" barrel plus 2 for the choke and glossy barrel. I know these things are not a big deal, but I'm just trying something new.

[Strut10]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm using a Mossberg 835 I just got. It has the factory choke 12GA.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's probably the root of your problem. The factory Mossberg tube has been a total disappointment very time I've shot one. Get yourself thebest aftermarket tube you can and try your 3 1/2" Winchester Supreme #6's again. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[woodshed]

O.K. Strut10,, I'll do that and hope for better.

[woodshed]

just confirm for me though. What is the minimum you feel comfortable with in the head and neck?

I know you get 50, but what would be acceptable?

[snapper]

I've always had my best luck shooting Remingtons? Which reminds me...Strut...next time we hook up for something, remind me to bring a box of Winchester 3 1/2" flight controls for you....they don't shoot worth a darn outta my gun...you can have 'em!

Don't remember exactly...pretty sure I was getting somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 shooting my 870 with a factory extended turkey tube...3 1/2" Remington hevi-shot. Once I can no longer find Rem. hevi....I'll go back to the M.A.D. max tube shooting Rem. #6's.

[snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
What is the minimum you feel comfortable with in the head and neck?

[/ QUOTE ]

I personally would feel comfortable if I were to get 20 constantly!

[LifeNRA]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm using a Mossberg 835 I just got. It has the factory choke 12GA.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's probably the root of your problem. The factory Mossberg tube has been a total disappointment very time I've shot one. Get yourself thebest aftermarket tube you can and try your 3 1/2" Winchester Supreme #6's again. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep! Thats what I did with my 835! Comp-N-Choke XXX Full with Winchester Supreme's 3.5" #6's. 49 head and neck shots! But since every gun is different, you might not get the same results. Worth a try though. I tried four different chokes, C-N-C won hands down. Good luck!

[woodshed]

great, thanks everybody. I'll be out again Wednesday for some new results.

[Strut10]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What is the minimum you feel comfortable with in the head and neck?

[/ QUOTE ]

I personally would feel comfortable if I were to get 20 constantly!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. 20 would work.....yep. But I'd be happier with twice that number and satisfied with 3 times.

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried the 3.5's but the pattern was high right.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does your gun not have adjustable sights? My 1300 patterned just a little off until I adjusted my sights.

[woodshed]

sorry for delay,,out of town.

My gun has fiber optic sights that adjust. I have it moved over as far as possible for windage. I did have a cross wind that day. I'm sure that is causing the slight right pattern. (forgot to mention that)

The screw adjustment for up/down is useless and makes no change.

I'll be home tomorow and able to shoot wednesday. I'll let you know how it looks with a different choke and I'll also try 4 and 6 shot!

[turkeygirl]

I shoot a Mossberg 500 20 ga. and used the factory full choke for a while. Got the H.S. Undertaker choke for turkey...haven't got a turkey yet with it to know how it really performs, but seems to pattern decently.

[MrWiggely]

Another thought, I shoot the same gun and the best shell that I ran through it were the Federal Extended Range shells. I had a much more dense pattern. Then I adjusted my sights to bring it to center.

Wigs

[Bowtech_archer07]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm using a Mossberg 835 I just got. It has the factory choke 12GA.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's probably the root of your problem. The factory Mossberg tube has been a total disappointment very time I've shot one. Get yourself thebest aftermarket tube you can and try your 3 1/2" Winchester Supreme #6's again. http://www.realtree.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I discovered the same thing only with a Mossberg 500. I bought the UnderTaker choke tube and love the pattern i'm shooting with it.

[woodshed]

O.K. I'm down to the wire. season opens on Monday but my only day to shoot is tomorow for final preps.

Today I got 3 tubes to try. ($$$$ ouch) HS strut Undertaker, Primos tight .690, and the Tru Glo Gobble Stopper.

I'll try Winch #4 & #6's since I haven't and the Federal Ext range for you Mr Wiggley.

Let you know tomorow how it goes.

[woodshed]

O.K. The winner seems to be the Tru Glo Gobble Stopper choke with either Federal #5's or Winch. Supremes #6. At 40 yards I got 26-38 pellets in the turkey head and neck. Most shots were in the mid 30's though. I had one at 26 with the winch. supr. The Federals #5 were consistantly about 4-8 less pellets, but still a good pattern. I'd be interested to see the #6's, but no more time left. They have less recoil wich is interesting.

The HS Strut tube was horrible! The Primos was slightly less dense than the Tru Glo.

It's not Strut10's 50 pellets but I guess I'll go with that.

At 50 yards I still had 14-18 pellets> If I miss judge
distance, I'll still prob. get a kill

So,,, thank you all for your help and advice. Do you have any opinions with my results?

[MrWiggely]

sounds good, I would still try and limit my shots to 30 or less if possible, but you can still feel comfortable to 35-40. Good luck let us know how you make out.

Wigs

[gobblergetter15]

Thats much better. Good luck!

[huntinguide]

im getting 50+ at 35 yards and prob 25 at 45, then only 15 or so at 50-55