Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

Turkey Guns & Shooting => 12 ga Turkey Gun Pattern Pictures => Topic started by: smalls on February 15, 2014, 08:15:29 PM

Title: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 15, 2014, 08:15:29 PM
Ok, so I've got an 887 with a TruGlo choke.  I've tried 4 different loads through it so far, and here are 3.  The Hevi-13 shot didn't come out so well, will have to try it again.  Any suggestions on how I might improve my pattern?

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/16/agahe2en.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/16/ave8ahuq.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/16/une6uba7.jpg)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: reynolds243 on February 15, 2014, 08:21:12 PM
did you deep clean the barrel before you went out? were you cleaning between shots?

what choke/load combos did you use?
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: Jay Longhauser on February 15, 2014, 08:24:46 PM
Are you shooting at a bigger paper than the target in the pictures  gun may not be shooting the center of the pattern where you aim it.
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 15, 2014, 10:55:57 PM
I didn't deep clean it before, didn't think about it before.  I did notice that the pattern on the HEVI-13 was pretty tight, just off to the lower right of where I aimed.  I shoot against a board, but I guess it would be good to have a larger piece of paper behind the target.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: tistis on February 16, 2014, 04:05:08 AM
I may need to clean mine more
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: chatterbox on February 16, 2014, 07:02:33 AM
Quote from: smalls on February 15, 2014, 10:55:57 PM
I didn't deep clean it before, didn't think about it before.  I did notice that the pattern on the HEVI-13 was pretty tight, just off to the lower right of where I aimed.  I shoot against a board, but I guess it would be good to have a larger piece of paper behind the target.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2
Ok smalls, here is what I would do.
I am not sure what constriction choke works best in the 887, so I cannot help you there. If memory serves me correctly, a choke between .660-.665 works, but you would have to ask the Rem guys on here if that is accurate.
Now, I would go over to www.allaboutshooting.com, and look up the procedure for deep cleaning a barrel. Clark Bush who runs that site, frequents here often, and came up with the procedure. I promise you it won't hurt, and can really help!
Lastly, and most importantly, you need to check your POA (point of aim), vs. POI (point of impact). Most shotguns do not shoot true to bead, and need some kind of sights to get the POA to match the POI.
Get a large piece of paper. 3 feet by 3 feet, and go back to 30 yards, and shoot. This will show you where your gun is hitting, and if you need sights to bring your POA to your POI. It will also show you the densest part of your pattern. Draw a 10" circle around that, and that will be your hunting pattern.
Then, you can go to 40 yards, and repeat the procedure over again. The minimum accepted number is 100 evenly spaced pellets in a 10" circle.
Good luck, and I hope I have helped you!
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 16, 2014, 07:44:15 AM
Yeah that helps a lot chatter.  Thanks for the advice.  I think I have a .665 on right now.  I did clean the gun last night, I hadn't done that since the beginning of fall hunting season.  If I get a chance today, I'll try a few shots and post up the results.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: R AJ on February 16, 2014, 07:57:45 AM
You are definitely not seeing where the majority of shot are hitting. Good advice above and you should be able to determine what loads do best.
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: SumToy on February 16, 2014, 10:32:22 AM
Get you a bigger target.  We have had a few of them in and ALL shot low.  It looks like yours is doing the same. 
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: owlhoot on February 16, 2014, 10:43:01 AM
Get you some of those rolls of paper for putting down before painting in the house.
For around 10 bucks you get alot of patterns.
Someone posted that a while back. Thanks to him for that.
Tape your turkey head targets in the middle for the neat factor. 8)
Title: Re: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 16, 2014, 12:13:28 PM
Quote from: SumToy on February 16, 2014, 10:32:22 AM
Get you a bigger target.  We have had a few of them in and ALL shot low.  It looks like yours is doing the same.

What do you mean "them"?  887s?  How did y'all fix it?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: Xcal1ber on February 16, 2014, 01:12:27 PM
Quote from: smalls on February 16, 2014, 12:13:28 PM
Quote from: SumToy on February 16, 2014, 10:32:22 AM
Get you a bigger target.  We have had a few of them in and ALL shot low.  It looks like yours is doing the same.

What do you mean "them"?  887s?  How did y'all fix it?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2


He means your gun as "them", and really about the only way is an after market sight of some sort to make it shoot higher. There is shims you can get for the stock, and I believe a gun smith can actually bend your barrel to make it shoot different too.

I would say he means
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 16, 2014, 02:43:03 PM
Just shot this one.  HEVI-13 2 3/4 no. 5, TruGlo choke.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/17/7a3ere2a.jpg)

Its definitely shooting low, but doesn't seem to be a very dense pattern either.  The choke is a .665 constriction.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: RemingtonRules on February 16, 2014, 03:54:46 PM
Hevi 5s is too large.  You need to shoot 6 or 7 in hevi shot.  Since it is heavier than lead you get fewer pellets per ounce.  5 lead is good you can go smaller in hevishot. 
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: knightrider on February 16, 2014, 04:23:15 PM
that's actually pretty good for 23/4 hevi 5 if it was just higher, you need to get some kind of sight to bring it up. with a could bore scrubbing and adjustable sight I think you would be on your way to a turkey dinner
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 24, 2014, 12:38:00 PM
Well, I shot again this weekend.  Pulled out the Federal Premiums, 3", No. 6.  I had cleaned the gun up real good before shooting, and aimed alittle higher on the target.  Worked like a charm.  Had 178 in a 10 inch circle at 30 yards.  Ill have to take a picture of the pattern when I get home Friday night, but I knew there was a reason I had those in my vest last season.  Funny, my PawPaw always has sworn by Federal #6.

Of course, that was steel shot for ducks, but I guess its a good one no matter the kind. ;D

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: jakesdad on February 24, 2014, 12:42:28 PM
You ran steel thru a .665?You might want to not do that again or you'll be beggin for trouble.
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: JuniorPre 360 on February 24, 2014, 01:01:22 PM
Quote from: jakesdad on February 24, 2014, 12:42:28 PM
You ran steel thru a .665?You might want to not do that again or you'll be beggin for trouble.
To expand on that, I'd unscrew your choke. The problem my buddy had was the choke tube expanding inside of his barrell and he could not get it out. We were told that it was from shooting steel through such a tight choke not made for steel. Steel does not compress on the way out.
Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: smalls on February 24, 2014, 01:35:12 PM
Nah, wasn't shooting steel.  Mist referencing my pawpaw's preference for federal #6.  Just thought it was ironic that what patterned best in my gun was aa federal Turkey load in #6.

I may be pretty new to Turkey hunting, but I'm not an idiot.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Improving Pattern Suggestion?
Post by: d.winsor on February 24, 2014, 02:11:24 PM
For a Remington .665 is a good choke for #5 Shot, Also if you get a roll of paper make it white, the brown paper is hard to see where the shot struck.  One other thing I would try some Winchester Long Beard XR #5 shot in 3" or 3.5",  I have some to try but have not been able to pattern them as yet.  Feedback on the forum say they are awesom, might even replace htl at 1/2 the price.