Remington 870 20ga
Carlson Longbeard .568 choke
20" barrel
Federal TSS 3" #7's
40 yards
10" circle
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180421/2245c42e1a16b4a8a25ac6eed354483e.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180421/06360af11066f4bda1eb80588ebc2ae1.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180421/1e3249913a80796968829ae6ee636c39.jpg)
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20 yards(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180421/bf8c37acb776ed75986ca70d935c9c4d.jpg)
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Not bad numbers, but sporadic pattern. Any ideas why?
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I get those numbers with HW7's. Why did you choose the 7s over the 9's?
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9's aren't legal here
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The sporadic pattern is probably due to over choking. A .568 is pretty tight out of a 870 even for #9s. I'd open that choke up to the .575-.585 ,leaning closer to the .580 and above range, and I'd be willing to bet you'd see a major improvement for those 7s.
I tried a Carlson's .575 at 40 yards this morning. Both looked like this(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180422/75b86b51db43a8402c564bea167436b1.jpg)
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Wow. You've got me stumped. I've never shot the Feds so I don't know how the flight control wad acts. Clearly it likes a tighter choke but I still don't know why the patterns are as sporadic as they are. That's usually a quick sign of over choking but with the results you got from a .575, I'm totally stumped.
I'm thinking try something tighter next??
I appreciate the help
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I'm not afraid to hunt with the .568 out to 40, it will kill well. I just don't like the sporadic pattern and feel I could do better
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I have seen some people say the Federal TSS likes a tighter choke. It just seems odd to have to choke #7s down anymore then you have with the .568 but going tighter very well could be the answer. I'm with you on the hunting that's pattern. If it looked like the first picture you posted every time you pulled the trigger, I'd hunt it every day of the week. I hate opening the choke didn't work. It's just been my experience with hand loads that the more I opened up, the more even my pattern got and i actually gained a few in the 10". Let me know how the tighter choke works for you buddy!
How tight should I go? Carlson's makes a ..565 and a .555
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I'd give the .565 a go. The only .555 I've seen perform really well with TSS in general is the IC. Somehow the IC doesn't blow patterns in a .555 constriction where other chokes that tight do.
I'm gonna try and find somebody that might have some experience with a similar set up. I can't afford too many chokes, Lol
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I completely understand! Lol. Someone out there has to have experience with an 870 and the Fed 7s!
Quote from: Coop1082 on April 22, 2018, 11:39:52 AM
I completely understand! Lol. Someone out there has to have experience with an 870 and the Fed 7s!
Not many have experience with the TSS Federal loads ,you have to get some first.
Most who have them would get 9's. States that allow it of course.
Pellet count is lower with TSS 7's than heavy weights 7's so I wouldn't expect something to great. You could assume that it is still a flight control wad and choke off that basis.
How's your barrel? If it is not really bright and smooth then polish it. Instructions are available on this site and they are good ones.
Use them or not a good denatured alcohol scrub does wonders.
Since new tubes can be costly I would recommend a cheap one . A Tight Wad :z-twocents:
Remington 11/87 Carlson's .570 choke Fereral#7,sat 35 yds
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PM sent.
I know nothing about TSS loads...
But I do know that the flight control wads can make steel shot fickle (and sometimes unpredictable) as to choking...
I would do as stated above, and polish the barrels and chokes (as plastic residue can build up and possibly effect choking). I might also try patterning some (quality) lead or even Hevi-shot (if available) without the flight control wads and see if it is the shot/wad choice or the gun/barrel.
You already know what is not working, I would see what does at this point.
I might even try a standard factory full choke and see what your patterns look like with those?
Terry, first let me say that I have zero experience with Federal TSS as I load my own. However, even with those who handload, the short barrel 20 ga seems to be hit and miss and often requires a specific choke for the individual barrel. My 870 20 ga has a 26" barrel and it shoots great with a Carlson's .575 extended, non-ported choke. I've noticed most 26" barrels do shoot great with that choke. I know it's probably not what you want to hear but you may have a pretty extensive search on your hands to find what choke works best for your short barrel gun with the 7's. You probably won't have much feedback with that particular shot size. I can send you a Rem SF and a Primos Tightwad to try if you'd like. Just let me know and I'll be glad to mail them to you.
Quote from: Terry on April 22, 2018, 09:51:26 AM
I'm thinking try something tighter next??
I appreciate the help
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This! Mine hates open chokes. It's a 21" barrel and Loves the Carlson .555. If the barrel is longer the .565 would be my first pick. My 26" M2 loves that one.
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Look into getting a Sumtoy or Indian Creek.
Haven't been lucky enough to try 20 ga but with my 12 a factory full has been the ticket with #9, nice even pattern with around 250 at 40 yds. Tried a Carlson 660 and it was wayyy too tight and blown. When using tss start out with a factory full, it might save you time and money
Terry, what did you end up with for a choke ?
I would call sumtoy,jebs,indian creek, or what ever choke brand you like and ask.