New Rem 11-87 SM setup and break in suggestions?

[GeorgeJR]

Current Plan:

-  Installed my Red Dot scope
-  Just ordered items to polish the barrel and should be done this weekend with first doing a deep clean to ensure no extra grit in the barrel.
-  About to order a Jelly Head .660 choke tube (gun came with a Modified)
-  Have a few boxes of shells some 3.5's and some 3's (some 2 3/4 to get close before putting in the turkey rounds) Mostly WIN HV rounds as it has been good on the two other guns I have been using.

Plan on cleaning and Polishing with a modified choke installed, Swap out with the new choke, And start with 2 3/4 rounds to get red eye close.  Then plan on testing at 20, 30 and 40 yards to see where the pattern is with the different ammo.  Once I found the setup I like sit till I season opens.

40 yards I hear 100 pellets in a 10" circle is ideal, what should I be looking for at closer ranges?  Only game I have primarily shot is deer for the past 15 yrs, moving into more birds now as I have some opportunity to do so.

With a new gun any other suggestions, first new gun and I did see a humorous guy show how to break in a new gun by tossing it on a few rocks inspect and shoot....  I don't plan on selling this gun or my 1975 1100, will run them my life and want to get the best out of what I have purchased.

Thanks!

[R AJ]

You may want to be purchasing a Shooter's Friend Pad . Clark Bush, AKA Allaboutshooting has them and they are recommended for practice shots.

Check on liniment supply at the house along with pain killers, etc. and have a glove or some protection on the middle finger of the shooting hand for the 3.5" shells. Other than that you should be good to go.

You think I'm joking , right? Or that I am a wuss? OK then.

[GeorgeJR]

I was thinking of making a lead sled to help steady the gun so that each shot is as close to ideal as possible and only taking the last shot or too as I would in the blind.  They don't call the 3.5 a cannon for nothing.  Shooting range has one, however I like to pattern at the farm as the range is always only Hot when I want it to be. 

Was reading a little on Sand hill cranes (we have DNR Tags due to crop damage) where many suggest using #4 3.5 on them.  Interested in finding out how they taste as well.  Love the bird, but eating seedlings and living right next to a marsh isn't the best combination.  Shooting the dirt under them they hardly flinch anymore, so onto long range with a rifle and if I have a shot will take it with this set-up as well.