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Pattern Paper Doesn't Lie

BowhunterXC

BowhunterXC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
1,171
Location
N.W. Ohio
I always pattern my shotgun and choke tube combination, before hunting with it and it has always proven to be well worth the time. :) Plus, it's a huge confidence builder in the weapon's ability.

Today, I was using some 12 gauge 3" Winchester Long Beard, 1 3/4 oz. of #6 shot at 1200 fps. The choke tube is a Carlson .665 Non-Ported. My Mossberg 940 with a 24" barrel was very impressive with the patterns at 30, 40 and 50 yards. :cool:

30 Yards with #5s.

940 30 Yards.jpg

40 Yards with #6s.
940 40 Yards.jpg

50 Yards with #6s.
940 50 Yards.jpg
 
No offense but I wouldn’t shoot that gun/choke/shell combo beyond 30 yards at a turkey. Definitely not 50. Time would be better spent trying a different combo. The right choke shell combo and patterns will be exponentially better
 
Agreed with above, I’d never consider a 50 yard shot based on that. Do some searches for TSS and you’ll see some 40 yard patterns that are insane
 
My Mossberg 585 loved 3" longbeard 6's with a .660 Carlsons. I absolutely destroyed a coyote one time at a paced 50 yards after it ran off a gobbler.

That said I limited my shots with lead on birds to 40 and in. I use TSS now and 50 is no problem, if I could ever get a shot. I've been 9 days so far and have only heard 2 pitiful jake gobbles and 2 genuine gobbles, but not been in the game at all this year. The season here in MS has been awful. It's looking like this may be the second year in a row to not get a bird.
 
After taking a second look at the backside of the pattern paper, I noticed that the patterns are uniform, but not dense. So, I changed choke tubes to a Cabelas brand Black Max .660. Previously, I was using a tripod, but this pattern was shot off-hand and is a little to the left. Just the same, it's very impressive for a 40 yard pattern. :cool: Same Winchester Long Beard ammo, but in #5s.
I'm glad I took a closer look and switched choke tubes. They're only $45 and it made a huge difference. :)
940 40 Yards Black Max.jpg
 
DILEMMA: Rossi Youth Break open 20 gauge with a FIXED modified choke to pattern out to 30?

BACKSTORY: I have a trip to Oregon next week which was originally planned for skiing but with the wife not being able to ski I’m considering doing some turkey hunting. The license is kinda steep but since we already have the trip out there and likely not skiing as much it is sounding more and more worth trying. The little youth shotgun breaks apart at the barrel so it’d be great to fly with and I wouldn’t have too much heartburn if something happened to it. So, I’m thinking if I can get it to pattern well enough at 30 I’d take it and hunt with it.

Nothing better than getting some shells and shooting but I thought I get some thoughts anyway.
 
gcr0003 said:
DILEMMA: Rossi Youth Break open 20 gauge with a FIXED modified choke to pattern out to 30?

BACKSTORY: I have a trip to Oregon next week which was originally planned for skiing but with the wife not being able to ski I’m considering doing some turkey hunting. The license is kinda steep but since we already have the trip out there and likely not skiing as much it is sounding more and more worth trying. The little youth shotgun breaks apart at the barrel so it’d be great to fly with and I wouldn’t have too much heartburn if something happened to it. So, I’m thinking if I can get it to pattern well enough at 30 I’d take it and hunt with it.

Nothing better than getting some shells and shooting but I thought I get some thoughts anyway.
Click to expand...
@tailgunner gonna guide for you?
 
BowhunterXC said:
After taking a second look at the backside of the pattern paper, I noticed that the patterns are uniform, but not dense. So, I changed choke tubes to a Cabelas brand Black Max .660. Previously, I was using a tripod, but this pattern was shot off-hand and is a little to the left. Just the same, it's very impressive for a 40 yard pattern. :cool: Same Winchester Long Beard ammo, but in #5s.
I'm glad I took a closer look and switched choke tubes. They're only $45 and it made a huge difference. :)
View attachment 116562
Click to expand...
Now you have a 40 yard turkey gun.
 
You’ve found a good pattern with the LB shells but just for reference this is 40 yards with TSS from my Mossberg 500 410 with IC chokeIMG_8497.jpeg

This is TSS from 50 out of an 12ga O/U with twin Carlson Longbeard tubes with Rogue #9IMG_8498.jpeg
Good patterns are in every gun just have to play with them. IMG_8500.jpegIMG_8499.jpegJust because good gun p**n is appreciated here.
 
@10essee
Outstanding patterns! TSS is expensive, but you only need one shot to get the job done. :)

I see a lot of guys using it with a .410, but as long as I have this good of a pattern with lead, I'll save my money. TSS isn't available in my area and I'd have to travel an hour or more to find it. :rolleyes:
 
gcr0003 said:
DILEMMA: Rossi Youth Break open 20 gauge with a FIXED modified choke to pattern out to 30?

BACKSTORY: I have a trip to Oregon next week which was originally planned for skiing but with the wife not being able to ski I’m considering doing some turkey hunting. The license is kinda steep but since we already have the trip out there and likely not skiing as much it is sounding more and more worth trying. The little youth shotgun breaks apart at the barrel so it’d be great to fly with and I wouldn’t have too much heartburn if something happened to it. So, I’m thinking if I can get it to pattern well enough at 30 I’d take it and hunt with it.

Nothing better than getting some shells and shooting but I thought I get some thoughts anyway.
Click to expand...
I would pattern it just to verify, but as long as the gun shoots straight, I would think you should be fine out to 30
 
10essee said:
You’ve found a good pattern with the LB shells but just for reference this is 40 yards with TSS from my Mossberg 500 410 with IC chokeView attachment 116566

This is TSS from 50 out of an 12ga O/U with twin Carlson Longbeard tubes with Rogue #9View attachment 116567
Good patterns are in every gun just have to play with them. View attachment 116568View attachment 116569Just because good gun p**n is appreciated here.
Click to expand...
Got any 20-25 yard patterns from those guns?
 
Do you guys verify your pattern with more than one shot at a given distance? Or is it just one and done?
 
Last edited:
I usually do 2 to verify both pattern and POA/POI. Especially using regular beaded guns.
 
Plebe said:
Do you guys verify your pattern with more than one shot at a given distance? Or is it just one and done?
Click to expand...
I shoot one and done at 40 every year to verify I'm on. But when trying a new load Ill shoot one at 70 to verify its capable at that range. 70 is my tops no matter what, and my shell and gun is a 70 yard gun 100% of the time. No hail marys here. Thats a 100% dead turkey
 
Are these pictures reflecting only one shot size?
Do you find the TSS patterning so well with really tight chokes or does the choke need to be opened up a bit, like I used to need to do with steel for waterfowl?
 
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