Pattern Issues

[Penguin907]

I'm actually using an aftermarket non-chrome lined 18.5in barrel I originally used for a home defense setup, so polishing is on the menu. I've got a 26in chrome, but haven't noticed improved patterns with it. Patterns have improved a bit since switching to #6 lead and a .650 Carlson choke. Looks good at 30 yards, but still not close to 100 in a 10in circle at 40.

[Alabama556]

I polish my chrome lined benelli barrels and have never had an issue. For a 12 gauge, I would take a 20 wire brush and wrap it with very fine steel wool (800 or 1,000 grit) and put kroil on it liberally. I run it up and down the barrel ( not the choke or threads) with a battery powered drill that I hook the cleaning rod to.

You don't have to do it very long. It gets all the residue from the wads out and smooths out the bore some.

It does make a difference, but If I never did it again you could still kill turkeys at 40 yards.

I have no way on knowing if it removes much of the chrome lining. I have been doing it for years and never had an issue.

I have an original model 3 1/2 super black eagle that would never pattern worth a damn with lead turkey loads. Did better with hevi shot but even with TSS it struggled. I gave up on it until I accidentally found the right choke. It shoots good enough to nail one at 40 with #8 tss but not near as good of a pattern when compared with an 835 or citori. The choke was made for shooting hevi steel duck loads.

Just to be clear I don't own a nova. I only have auto loaders.


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[Penguin907]

Is there a reason you didn't use J-B borebright or some other  like the main polishing post says to do? I've got everything I need besides the polish.

[Alabama556]

I don't use JB because it is messy. I just use the steel wool.


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[bbcoach]

Is there a reason you didn't use J-B borebright or some other  like the main polishing post says to do? I've got everything I need besides the polish.

This is the way I polish my 835, JB and Kroil (a dab of JB on the scotch brite and saturate with Kroil).  I use a 20 gauge bore brush with one wrap of green scotch Brite attached to 3 sections of aluminum bore rod.  I use a battery-operated drill on low speed and in a couple of minutes, she is crystal clean and shiny.  I do this before every spring season.  My 835, Pure Gold .670 with Hevi 7's is a Shooter.  I hope you find the right combination Penguin.

[Ihuntoldschool]

Load some 6 shot. 

Forget the 8's if you want to shoot out to 40. 

[Penguin907]

This is the best 40 yard pattern I've gotten with #6s so far. Seems decent if I adjust my dot up and to the right some. Does this look decent for 40 yards? I'm not planning to take long shots, but I'm under the impression 40 yards seems to be the standard for turkey patterning. There should be an image attached, but if it can't be seen here is the link. https://photos.app.goo.gl/daBC4FmgGXPjTsLv9

[crow]

A little sparse for 40, what is the shot charge weight of the 6's your shooting

[Penguin907]

A little sparse for 40, what is the shot charge weight of the 6's your shooting

1 5/8oz

[bbcoach]

https://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php?topic=43250.msg432173#msg432173

Penguin, here is a link to one of the Benelli Nova patterns with LB 6's and a Sumtoy .650 choke.  This is what you should be striving for.  I think it is 240 at 40 yds.  There are several more in the Benelli Pattern pic section.  Just type in Nova in the search bar. 

[Penguin907]

What's the size of that outer circle? Like 240 in a 10in circle?

[bbcoach]

I am assuming that the shooter drew a 10 inch circle (which is the STANDARD used when talking about patterning here on Old Gobbler) around the densest part of his pattern.  The blue area would be his POA (Point of Aim) at 40 yards and as you can see his POI (Point of Impact) is off slightly.  The standard that is used here is the number inside a 10 inch circle at a measured 40 yard distance from the end of the gun barrel.  In this case, 241 inside 10 at 40 yards. The shooter will normally also put the gun used, choke used, shell type or manufacturer, shell length with payload and shot size on the target for reference as well. 

[Bowguy]

A little sparse for 40, what is the shot charge weight of the 6's your shooting

Brother that light load ain't doing you favors. Again what type shot? If it's pure soft lead and especially if a little light that's not too far off many times.
Try dif plated shot

[Penguin907]

Eagle magnum shot.

[Bowguy]

Think that's chilled shot try some plated and up load according to tested recipes