3" vs 3 1/2"
I currently shot Hevi 13 3" 2 oz #6s with a jelly head choke out of a 24" 835 and get good results. Would it be worth it to also try 3 1/2" shells?
I would try the 3.5" shells, can't hurt anything but your shoulder. :)
Derek, I'm switching to 3.5's for the first time this season....always have shot 3", but more payload= no brainer if you have the opportunity to shoot it. I mean really at crunch time your shoulder won't feel it.....lol
These are some numbers out of my Berettas:
Hevi 13 3-2-7/ Pure Gold Choke / Beretta Urika
250 in a 10 in circle at 40yds
Hevi 13 3.5-2.25-7/ Hevi 13 Choke / Beretta Xtrema 2
300 in a 10 in circle at 40yds
The tricky part is finding the right combo for each gun/ choke/ shell. For the most part whether its 250 or 300 it spells dead turkey. :you_rock:
Quote from: ccleroy on January 15, 2012, 09:39:01 AM
Derek, I'm switching to 3.5's for the first time this season....always have shot 3", but more payload= no brainer if you have the opportunity to shoot it. I mean really at crunch time your shoulder won't feel it.....lol
Crunch time.... That sums up a 3.5! :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
Well you'll most likely get more hits "BB's in the head" with the 3.5" but if your current setup is workin for ya why spend the money? now if you need to buy more shells then i would try them. Oh and your gonna want to buy a good recoil pad for that mule because its gonna kick ya.
Quote from: ccleroy on January 15, 2012, 09:39:01 AM
Derek, I'm switching to 3.5's for the first time this season....always have shot 3", but more payload= no brainer if you have the opportunity to shoot it. I mean really at crunch time your shoulder won't feel it.....lol
Yeah that's what I was thinking. I need to get some shells for this spring, I just hate to do another round of patterning with 3 1/2" shells. May have to borrow someones led sled. ;D
Best thing I did was go to 3.5" MagBlends.
Quote from: ccleroy on January 15, 2012, 09:39:01 AM
Derek, I'm switching to 3.5's for the first time this season....always have shot 3", but more payload= no brainer if you have the opportunity to shoot it. I mean really at crunch time your shoulder won't feel it.....lol
Ricky, I am going to 3" TSS. The 3.5" will knock you in the dirt, and you WILL flinch. I am tricking out an 870 with a Knoxx.
Quote from: Swamprunner on January 15, 2012, 10:39:06 AMQuote from: ccleroy on January 15, 2012, 09:39:01 AMDerek, I'm switching to 3.5's for the first time this season....always have shot 3", but more payload= no brainer if you have the opportunity to shoot it. I mean really at crunch time your shoulder won't feel it.....lol
Ricky, I am going to 3" TSS. The 3.5" will knock you in the dirt, and you WILL flinch. I am tricking out an 870 with a Knoxx.
Lol, awe its not that bad ole soft shoulders......lol.....I have been toying with the TSS idea but I have no one close that loads it, I would love to find someone to give me a price on loading some TSS 3.5" 6's.
Yep, go with the 3.5's, and get a lead sled!
I'm thinking about switching to 3.5" but only because I want to buy a new gun.
Obviously turkeys have been killed for years without 3 1/2 in shells. I shoot them just because I like having the extra shot.
Sure they kick when you pattern, but nobody feels it when you shoot a gobbler.
Make sure you do not blow your pattern with them. I jumped on the 3.5" bandwagon for a while and just no real need for them. I also shoot a 835 24" barrel with a Star Dot and the 3" Mag Blend are all I need. It is fun to watch a turkey get hammered up close with a 3.5" but patterning them was giving me bad habits and I believe you should pattern in a hunting type situation, not a bench and leadsled.
The only contribution that I'll make is to suggest that sometimes a follow-up shot can be necessary. I shoot 3" standard loads of Hevi-13 and can get back on target very quickly, should I need a second shot for any reason. Just something to think about no matter what brand or length of shell you shoot.
Thanks,
Clark
I'd try 3.5s if Id have a gun that shot them.
I'd try'm. If they made a 4.5 inch I'd try that too. More pellets won't hurt anything. Might not make it any better, but won't hurt.
more pellets no doubt, to each his own though. I shot them for years but gave up on them 2 years ago with no regrets. saved money and pain.
My old gun was an 835 with and after market choke but I can't remember witch one, any way the 3inch shells had more pellets in 10 then the 3.5 past 40 yards. Each gun might shoot different you never know till you spend the time and money on shells and try it.
I'll stick with 3's and 2 3/4
Quote from: dirt road ninja on January 15, 2012, 05:54:56 PM
I'd try'm. If they made a 4.5 inch I'd try that too. More pellets won't hurt anything. Might not make it any better, but won't hurt.
Ditto. Check my scope and pattern shoot with a sled. Never feel the recoil on a bird.
Quote from: allaboutshooting on January 15, 2012, 05:17:35 PM
The only contribution that I'll make is to suggest that sometimes a follow-up shot can be necessary. I shoot 3" standard loads of Hevi-13 and can get back on target very quickly, should I need a second shot for any reason. Just something to think about no matter what brand or length of shell you shoot.
Thanks,
Clark
Another way to look at the other side of that philosophy is that if the first shot is true which it should be right on the head and neck the extra 1/4oz of payload from the 3.5" shell will create a denser pattern with more multiple hits in the head and neck region to help eliminate the need for a second shot. :z-guntootsmiley:
Like I have said before and your mileage may vary but there is nite and day difference in the pattern density with the 3" vs the 3.5" Hevi-13 loads in my 835 with Star Dot choke.
I may end up rigging up an 870 supermag after I find out how much the Knoxx helps. I just feel like with TSS, 3" is enough
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 16, 2012, 04:16:49 AM
Quote from: allaboutshooting on January 15, 2012, 05:17:35 PM
The only contribution that I'll make is to suggest that sometimes a follow-up shot can be necessary. I shoot 3" standard loads of Hevi-13 and can get back on target very quickly, should I need a second shot for any reason. Just something to think about no matter what brand or length of shell you shoot.
Thanks,
Clark
Another way to look at the other side of that philosophy is that if the first shot is true which it should be right on the head and neck the extra 1/4oz of payload from the 3.5" shell will create a denser pattern with more multiple hits in the head and neck region to help eliminate the need for a second shot. :z-guntootsmiley:
Like I have said before and your mileage may vary but there is nite and day difference in the pattern density with the 3,5" vs the 3" Hevi-13 loads in my 835 with Star Dot choke.
Sometimes you have an opportunity to shoot a couple of birds.
Thanks,
Clark
Different opinions for different folks. I shot 3.5 out of my SBEII for a year after shooting 3" out of my M2. Now back to 3" and M2. Still all dead turkeys.
Never shot 3" shells in my 1187, but 3 1/2 " Shells are the truth in my gun. Would def. try 3 1/2 " shells.
I have both, but prefer my Browning Citori O/U 3 in all day long. Rhino turkey choke on top with modified on bottom. This way I can shoot em far or close. deadly combo with Nitro ammo...
3.5 until I am too old to take it
I'll show you guys why I say nite and day difference between the Hevi-13 3" 2oz #7 loads vs the 3.5" 2 and 1/4oz #7 loads at 40yds.
Ok we will call this one nite. Now this one was shot with a Pure Gold choke instead of the Star Dot, but the Star Dot pattern I shot was just about identical to this one in numbers. The 3" shells that I have shot all pretty much pattern like this out of my 835.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF00654.jpg)
And we will call this one day. Only 1/4oz more shot. Now which one would you rather shoot? Now be real when you answer.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF00593.jpg)
Now just to prove that was no fluke I'll post another almost as good.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF0056_Small_.jpg)
Now I know these results may vary in how these loads will shoot in different guns and different chokes. But the 835 is going to keep getting fed the 3.5" #7 loads.
Good thread.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 16, 2012, 09:15:21 PM
I'll show you guys why I say nite and day difference between the Hevi-13 3" 2oz #7 loads vs the 3.5" 2 and 1/4oz #7 loads at 40yds.
Ok we will call this one nite. Now this one was shot with a Pure Gold choke instead of the Star Dot, but the Star Dot pattern I shot was just about identical to this one in numbers. The 3" shells that I have shot all pretty much pattern like this out of my 835.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF00654.jpg)
And we will call this one day. Only 1/4oz more shot. Now which one would you rather shoot? Now be real when you answer.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF00593.jpg)
Now just to prove that was no fluke I'll post another almost as good.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/medium/DSCF0056_Small_.jpg)
Now I know these results may vary in how these loads will shoot in different guns and different chokes. But the 835 is going to keep getting fed the 3.5" #7 loads.
[/quote
Nice! Just curious Hevi..what is the difference in the number of shot in the actual shell between the 2 oz and the 2.25 oz. I see your numbers jumped from 258 to 360. Wondering if that awesome increase is due more to gun/choke/ shell combo rather than simply a 1/4 ounce more shot. I know slicky posted an excellent chart but I have misplaced it..
Yep. 360 on the first one and 349 on the one below it.
Here's another 357 from a Pure Gold and the highest ever I have put in a 20" with these loads with 573. This was the very first shot out of this brand new choke that I bought from a guy on here. But I have yet to get the Pure Gold to come close to repeating itself with this pattern. From what I have seen, it won't touch the Star Dot.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00215.jpg)
And here's the 20" pattern from the first one I posted above with the Star Dot. The Star Dot is just a very hard choke to out shoot with these loads from a shot to shot basis.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00532.jpg)
That is why I kind of chuckle when I see guys that say the 3" loads pattern better than the 3.5" loads. You can clearly see in the results I posted that even for pattern efficiency when talking percentage of shot vs number of shot that is simply not true. Overall the pattern % usually comes out to being very close to even plus you get a lot more hits with that extra 1/4oz shot in the 10" from my findings.
I'm getting about a 50-55 shot increase on paper in a 10 from 3/2/7's to 3/2.25/7's. Curious to know the actual shot difference in the two loads. If you are seeing a jump from 258 to 360..maybe I can get more out my gun. :z-guntootsmiley:
Here's the 20" pattern from that same 3" pattern I posted above. 508 shot in the best 20 circle in this pattern. Now you guys do the math. So that blows the 3" shells pattern better out of the water. And there is actually 260 shot in the 10" pattern even though the other one above said 258.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF1904_Small_.jpg)
Quote from: Longshanks on January 17, 2012, 12:11:55 PM
I'm getting about a 50-55 shot increase on paper in a 10 from 3/2/7's to 3/2.25/7's. Curious to know the actual shot difference in the two loads. If you are seeing a jump from 258 to 360..maybe I can get more out my gun. :z-guntootsmiley:
That 360 pattern was the best that I have ever obtained. A lot of that is the shells, and the actual barrel and the choke. Finding a good Star Dot choke that shoots super dense patterns is one of the keys to shooting patterns like those above in the 835's. Not all are that good. But it will easily hit the 300 mark and then some.
Awesome recipe for putting the wild turkey on the ground. Thanks for posting the pics and info. :OGani:
Your welcome. I hope I didn't get carried away too much. I just don't like to see people mislead others with the 3" shell myths. If the Still Target shoots would let shooters have their choice between shooting 3" or 3.5" loads and nobody could gripe about the outcome because they had their choice, not only would you see a lot of guys shooting the longer shells and heavier payloads but you would see a lot of records fall. Now I know that's not fair, but a lot of those same guys are the ones that seem to try and tell people the 3" shells pattern better.
longshanks,
To better answer your question above, I agree with you that it's more to it in the better numbers of the 3.5" loads vs the 3" loads than just the additional 1/4 oz of shot. I believe it has more to do with the longer shot column for the components should be about the same except for probably a longer wad and more powder and of course the longer hull. But why the 3.5" loads shoot so much denser 10" and 20" numbers I can't say for sure, but from the looks of it I would say it would be safe to say that all of that extra 1/4oz of shot is definately going inside the 10" and 20" patterns.
I wonder if the difference is as big in a non-835 gun. Those 835s love larger payloads.
Quote from: link=topic=15865.msg176614#msg176614 date=1326829652
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 12:52:58 PMIf the Still Target shoots would let shooters have their choice between shooting 3" or 3.5" loads and nobody could gripe about the outcome because they had their choice, not only would you see a lot of guys shooting the longer shells and heavier payloads but you would see a lot of records fall. Now I know that's not fair, but a lot of those same guys are the ones that seem to try and tell people the 3" shells pattern better.
I had a buddy over at the house last night who's getting about 440 something in the 10" at 40 yds with a 3" shell.
:angel9:
Yea 3" #9 TSS Right :icon_thumright:
Quote from: stinkpickle on January 17, 2012, 03:01:16 PM
I wonder if the difference is as big in a non-835 gun. Those 835s love larger payloads.
It's there in a Browing 3.5" .742 bore as well. I've had one of them too. The 3.5" loads shoot better denser patterns. The 870 from what I have seen on here are pretty much the same way though I don't have a 3.5" 870. I do have a 3" 870.
Quote from: link=topic=15865.msg176614#msg176614 date=1326829652
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 12:52:58 PMIf the Still Target shoots would let shooters have their choice between shooting 3" or 3.5" loads and nobody could gripe about the outcome because they had their choice, not only would you see a lot of guys shooting the longer shells and heavier payloads but you would see a lot of records fall. Now I know that's not fair, but a lot of those same guys are the ones that seem to try and tell people the 3" shells pattern better.
I had a buddy over at the house last night who's getting about 440 something in the 10" at 40 yds with a 3" shell.
:angel9:
Hal,
Pixiedust don't count. LOL!
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 03:08:39 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on January 17, 2012, 03:01:16 PM
I wonder if the difference is as big in a non-835 gun. Those 835s love larger payloads.
It's there in a Browing 3.5" .742 bore as well. I've had one of them too. The 3.5" loads shoot better denser patterns. The 870 from what I have seen on here are pretty much the same way though I don't have a 3.5" 870. I do have a 3" 870.
Yeah...the only 3.5" gun I have is an 835, and it really likes the longer shells. All my others are 3", so I can't test 'em.
Quote from: stinkpickle on January 17, 2012, 03:12:22 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 03:08:39 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on January 17, 2012, 03:01:16 PM
I wonder if the difference is as big in a non-835 gun. Those 835s love larger payloads.
It's there in a Browing 3.5" .742 bore as well. I've had one of them too. The 3.5" loads shoot better denser patterns. The 870 from what I have seen on here are pretty much the same way though I don't have a 3.5" 870. I do have a 3" 870.
Yeah...the only 3.5" gun I have is an 835, and it really likes the longer shells. All my others are 3", so I can't test 'em.
Yep. And my 835 is not any more special than others. It's a 28" barrel that I polished myself. I bought the gun around 1998 or so. But those #7 patterns I posted above is why I shoot those loads over 6's or magblends. When you get patterns like that, there really is no need to try and change anything. Now that don't mean I gave up and quit trying, but I have definately slowed down on trying to see if I can find a different choke that will do better.
I wonder how turkeys were killed before Hevi-shot, 3.5" guns, or even 3" guns? I just do not understand why some people believe they need a 3.5" shell with 300 + hits in a 10" circle at 40 yards to think they can kill a turkey. I killed two last year with Hevi 6s 1 5/8 oz 3" shells last year and one the year before with a 20 gauge Remington Nitro Lead 5s 3" 1.25 oz load. Come on now. I shoot a 835 and I use 3" shells. I want to see dead turkeys not dead pieces of cardboard.
I do not care what a person uses when they hunt as long as it is legal and ethical but do not try to make other think that only one thing works.
All of these were killed with 3" shells and the top one with lead (don't get 2ounce6s started posting pictures of dead turkeys from 3" shells and lead cause this thread will have 30 pages):
Quote from: davisd9 on January 17, 2012, 05:26:09 PM
I wonder how turkeys were killed before Hevi-shot, 3.5" guns, or even 3" guns? I just do not understand why some people believe they need a 3.5" shell with 300 + hits in a 10" circle at 40 yards to think they can kill a turkey. I killed two last year with Hevi 6s 1 5/8 oz 3" shells last year and one the year before with a 20 gauge Remington Nitro Lead 5s 3" 1.25 oz load. Come on now. I shoot a 835 and I use 3" shells. I want to see dead turkeys not dead pieces of cardboard.
I do not care what a person uses when they hunt as long as it is legal and ethical but do not try to make other think that only one thing works.
All of these were killed with 3" shells and the top one with lead (don't get 2ounce6s started posting pictures of dead turkeys from 3" shells and lead cause this thread will have 30 pages):
It's called insurance. You don't really need it either, but it's nice to have when you do. Sort of like you don't need a $1000 shotgun to kill a turkey, but how many on here have one. Heck my cheap Moss will probably out shoot most of those expensive guns. So why do you need one that cost that much? The answer...you don't but that don't keep people on here from buying them now does it. You could go on and on with that kind of thinking.
Valid opinion, but you made a great point, you do not need $1000 shotgun to kill a turkey or a 3.5" shell or 300+ hits in a circle. A 3" shell is more than enough insurance to kill a turkey, it is a large bird no a dag um water buffalo. Get them between 20 and 40 yards and a 2.75" shell will rock their world. Turkeys have been being killed alot longer than the 3.5" shell has been around. If you want to use it then use it, but do not make it seem like it is a requirement.
I never said it was a requirement. I just said that is what I like in a pattern and I proved my point in why I shoot them. No diffferent in what Hal shooting his TSS loads. Does he have to shoot them? Nope. But I have no doubt in my mind that he likes the results he is getting with them or he wouldn't be using the TSS loads. I say shoot what you like. But I have no doubt that the 3" loads vs the 3.5" loads will be like putting a .250 hitter up against a .300 hitter when it comes time to deliver in a baseball game. Both are capable of getting a hit, but when it comes down to crunch time I would rather place my money on the .300 hitter. Just an example. Take it for what it is. Plus if I misjudge my yardage, I have more leadway to make up for my human error.
And if all I cared to shoot was 40yds, I surely wouldn't be shooting Hevi-13 loads. Lead would be all I need.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 07:46:00 PM
And if all I cared to shoot was 40yds, I surely wouldn't be shooting Hevi-13 loads. Lead would be all I need.
Insurance :icon_thumright:
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 07:33:40 PM
I never said it was a requirement. I just said that is what I like in a pattern and I proved my point in why I shoot them. No diffferent in what Hal shooting his TSS loads. Does he have to shoot them? Nope. But I have no doubt in my mind that he likes the results he is getting with them or he wouldn't be using the TSS loads. I say shoot what you like. But I have no doubt that the 3" loads vs the 3.5" loads will be like putting a .250 hitter up against a .300 hitter when it comes time to deliver in a baseball game. Both are capable of getting a hit, but when it comes down to crunch time I would rather place my money on the .300 hitter. Just an example. Take it for what it is. Plus if I misjudge my yardage, I have more leadway to make up for my human error.
He shows the great results but does not try to push everyone that asks about a load to them. He shows their great results and shoots them but does not try to say that they are only thing that will kill a turkey.
I think you like to just hear yourself type. :happy0064:
So have at it. Let's see some of your great 3" patterns tough guy.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 07:57:13 PM
I think you like to just hear yourself type. :happy0064:
So have at it. Let's see some of your great 3" patterns tough guy.
I post dead turkeys, not cardboard.
Quote from: davisd9 on January 17, 2012, 08:00:09 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 17, 2012, 07:57:13 PM
I think you like to just hear yourself type. :happy0064:
So have at it. Let's see some of your great 3" patterns tough guy.
I post dead turkeys, not cardboard.
:z-winnersmiley: :OGani: :smiley-char092:
I shoot 3.5" shells the same reason I shoot Hevi, it patterns better and I shoot maybe 4 turkeys a year so y not shoot the best? Makes no sense not too. I say this based on results I have had with factory loads.
You guys sure no how to hurt a fella. :lol:
So now I know what a turkey looks like. Hey thanks for the pictures.
And to think how dang silly I and others were at wasting time and effort shooting this silly cardboard.
Thanks again for the advice. I feel a lot smarter now. :icon_thumright:
Wow what an education. :toothy12:
ILIKEHEVI-13,
I just wanted to let you know that I am not trying to argue with your experience and overall knowledge. You are posted put impressive patterns and you seem to have very good knowledge on choke/load combos that work very well. I am also thankful in your willingness to always offer suggestions to those that ask through your own experience. The only point I am trying to argue is the fact that a 3.5" shell is not a requirement in turkey hunting. Do they had pellets and so on, very much so, but a 2.75" shell will kill a turkey just as dead as long as the hunter knows his limits, and the same goes for 3.5" shells. I have shot turkeys with 3" shells over 40 yards and killed them dead. I am ashamed to say that last year I shot a bird that I thought was in the 45 yard range at 63 yards with a 3" shell. I hate that I so badly misjudged the range but it happens and luckily he dropped like a hammer. You want to know my 3" pattern? It is 176 hits in 10" at 40 yards laser with a 835 with a star dot and 3" mag blends. It is very even and a hunting pattern. I like a pattern like that cause 40 yards is what I try to limit myself to, but in case of misjudgement I can shoot to 45-50 yards. I am not sitting on a bench in a blind that I can put my gun on a rest and soft squeeze the trigger. I hunt sitting against a tree on the side of a field or in middle of the woods with a barrel rested against my leg. 300+ hits are great but in my hunting situations it causes more problems than it helps, and that could be because of me being behind the trigger.
In my opinion, the posting of more efficient, productive, better patterning shotguns is one of the most informative aspects of the turkey gun section of this website. I am appreciative of anyone on this site who posts pictures and information about turkey guns based on their knowledge, hard work, experimentation, and overall experience. People dont have to offer information about what is working for them...im thankful that they do. They have helped me tremendously with my guns. I am pretty sure ILIKEHEVI could care a less whether or not anyone shoots the same set up as him. He is just posting what works. If folks are completely happy with the setup they are shooting..great..but argueing with another mans experience is kinda ridiculous...Thank you to everyone on OG that unselfishly offers information about turkey guns/chokes/ shells. :boon:
Very well said longshanks!!!!
I have a 3 1/2" gun so I feed he beast 3 1/2" shells. Shoulder is sore after a couple pattern shots but when shooting at a bird I dont feel a thing. I would use 3" if they patterned better in my gun but they dont. Plus its more MANLY ( pounds chest) lol
Thanks for the kind words Longshanks. And davisd9 we are all good. I know I get caught up in the patterning sometimes and others get caught up in just killing turkeys. I like to try and do my homework when it comes to patterning and what seems to work and share my experiences with chokes and loads and try to keep striving to improve my patterns when I can and have the time to do so. But I am content in both my turkey guns for the most part, but I still like to play. And you are exactly right a 3" shell will kill turkeys very easily. So I don't want people to think that 3.5" shells are superior to 3" shells. But what I wanted to clarify is from my experiences the 3.5" heavier payloads seem to just offer an advantage over the 3" shells when it comes to denser patterns. Now will a turkey know the difference in that advantage if you shoot at reasonable distances? Of course not, but we are only human, and we all can misjudge yardages. It happens to even the best of us, but it is nice to know that I got a pattern that will allow me to make a slight judging error and still give me the killing pattern that I need to kill the bird lethally and cleanly. That's all I meant about the insurance thing.
You guys have a good day.
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/001-11.jpg)
This may help clarify some of ILIKEHEVI -13's statements ! :newmascot:
Quote from: vaturkey on January 18, 2012, 05:06:53 PM
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/001-11.jpg)
This may help clarify some of ILIKEHEVI -13's statements ! :newmascot:
:TooFunny: Rick thats not going to kill a bird...... u do know that dont you ! :begging:
lol
brian
Rick,
That's 54 more hits at 30yds in a 10" which more than likely about the same amount of margin advantage will carryover at 40yds give or take a few shot. Now I would say that the 3" 2oz pattern would be a better overall 10" pattern at 30yds, but that 3.5" load with all the extra shot towards the center of the pattern ought to open up to a super killer pattern at 40yds and even on past that. With a pattern like that, there really is no need to change a thing. Both are very good patterns and thanks for sharing them. I'm impressed! And both those guns and chokes are shooters. :you_rock:
i like and hunt with a 3" 1300 and now my old 1187 3". i will be testing the 1187 this spring. the 1300, I get about 360+/- @ 30 and 300+/- @ 40yds in a 10" and its been a killer combo with them old nitros 4x5x7's 3''..... yes i know it hard to belive but it took me a lot of time at the range to find that great gun/choke/load combo for that gun....... i do hand load TSS now and like a 3" gun and i have had some 3 1/2" guns BUT you just dont need them. just my $0.02 :icon_thumright:
Brian
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/013.jpg)
2ounce6s
The Benelli SBE2 is my main turkey gun. The 1187 is my backup gun that I carry on out of state hunts. Here's a 40 yd. pattern with the Benelli. Keep in mind I'm shootin 6's !
Ricky :newmascot: P.S I like an auto in case he does STUTTER STEP ! :turkey2:
Hey Rick, I bought a MAD MAX .680 off of a guy on gunbroker that owned a pawn store. But I thought it ought to be a good choke to try some 6's with in the Hevi-13 loads. Now it was a used choke but was in dang good shape. Now I have only shot it one time, but I think I got a winner if they stay like this. Heck maybe I ought to just shoot 6's and use this choke.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00693.jpg)
3.5 Hevi 6's JH .660, lazered 40 yards. 256 in 10".
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/number6doug/Snapbucket/CCD7024A-orig-1-1-1.jpg)
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 18, 2012, 09:42:20 PM
Hey Rick, I bought a MAD MAX .680 off of a guy on gunbroker that owned a pawn store. But I thought it ought to be a good choke to try some 6's with in the Hevi-13 loads. Now it was a used choke but was in dang good shape. Now I have only shot it one time, but I think I got a winner if they stay like this. Heck maybe I ought to just shoot 6's and use this choke.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00693.jpg)
Awesome Pattern ! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: westtennhunter on January 18, 2012, 09:47:36 PM
3.5 Hevi 6's JH .660, lazered 40 yards. 256 in 10".
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj204/number6doug/Snapbucket/CCD7024A-orig-1-1-1.jpg)
Awesome pattern westtennhunter ! :icon_thumright: What Gun ?
870SM. 24" barrel with lengthened forcing cone.
Quote from: westtennhunter on January 18, 2012, 10:08:45 PM
870SM. 24" barrel with lengthened forcing cone.
I would say it was safe to say that lenghtening that forcing cone in that barrel made that barrel a better shooter. :z-guntootsmiley:
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 18, 2012, 10:25:45 PM
Quote from: westtennhunter on January 18, 2012, 10:08:45 PM
870SM. 24" barrel with lengthened forcing cone.
I would say it was safe to say that lenghtening that forcing cone in that barrel made that barrel a better shooter. :z-guntootsmiley:
BIG TIME ! :icon_thumright:
Well worth the $35 it cost, in my opinion.
I wonder what would happen if I tried that on my 835.
better to have it and not need it,than to need it and not have it,besides today's guns there isn't any difference in price
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on January 18, 2012, 10:48:54 PM
I wonder what would happen if I tried that on my 835.
I have been told that Mossys pattern so well because they come from the factory with longer forcing cones than other makes. I don't know if that is true. I have never owned a Mossberg. It would be an interesting question for Sumtoy though.
Well I think I have heard that too. But I think the main reason why a 835 shoots better than most shotguns is the .775 overbored barrel. If Rem would use these same dimension overbored barrels on their gun barrels I'm sure you would see hardly any difference in the way they shot between the 2 guns from the factory. I have tried to get Rem to do this, but they told me backbored barrels or bigger bore barrels have no advantage over their barrels.
Good point. Now, if I could get my gun to average 294 with Magblends like their advertisement says I will be happy. :TooFunny:
Quote from: westtennhunter on January 18, 2012, 11:15:09 PM
Good point. Now, if I could get my gun to average 294 with Magblends like their advertisement says I will be happy. :TooFunny:
I hear ya! LOL!
Hey could you give me the smith who did the work on your 870 barrel? Or send me a pm if you like. I may be interested.
QuoteNow, if I could get my gun to average 294 with Magblends like their advertisement says I will be happy.
I was happy with a nice even 180 at 60 Degrees right at POA out of 3" Magnum Blend. Only the #7's have broken the 200 mark for me using a 3" shell. That's with an Indian Creek .665 choke and a 28" barrel on a well broken in, but deep cleaned 870.
Yea that's been my story as well..3/2/7's got me to 250 but the mag blends are around 180-200 out of the 3 inch. Turkey killer for sure but getting 220-250 with the Fed HW 7's and the Hevi 13 7's is hard to get away from when I am carrying the Rem 870.(3in).
Those 870SM patterns with the 3.5 Hevi 6' y'all are posting up look awesome. I have a new super mag rigged out for duck hunting, kicks high flyer, hi-viz sights,shadow grass camo etc. Trying to avoid turning it into a turkey gun but sure is tempting..5 turkey guns is enough.. :emoticon-cartoon-012:
I like the 3.5 Magnum blends. Best shell after the nitros.
3's for me.