I recently started experimenting with a Remington 870 and buckshot. I am shooting the Hornady #4 buckshot and it does not seem to pattern as well as I would like around 30 yards. I have shot it through a full and a turkey choke tube and I am wondering if the tighter tube is possibly causing the pattern to spread a little more than one would expect. Any input?
Buckshot Pattern
- Thread starter UncleDoc
- Start date
243Savage
New member
It is possible. I have run into that problem quite a bit while patterning turkey loads.
In my limited buckshot patterning experience I have found that 2-3/4" Federal reduced recoil 00 buckshot gives me excellent patterns out to 35 yards with my cylinder bored 20" barreled Ithaca 37 12ga.
In my limited buckshot patterning experience I have found that 2-3/4" Federal reduced recoil 00 buckshot gives me excellent patterns out to 35 yards with my cylinder bored 20" barreled Ithaca 37 12ga.
yotehowler65
New member
Only thing you can do is back off to a MOD to see if it patterns any better.
Tim Neitzke
New member
Try changing ammo aswel.
All good responses. I am using a cheap buckshot (S&B) as well and it actually patterns better than the Hornady. Also, I am using Carlson choke tubes and I have read a couple of negative posts about them. Not my opinion, just stating what I have read.
From an engineering standpoint, I can see where restricting large shot too much at the end of the tube could cause an unexplained spread at thirty or forty yards. But, that is theoretical and may not have a thing to do with what is actually happening in the field.
From an engineering standpoint, I can see where restricting large shot too much at the end of the tube could cause an unexplained spread at thirty or forty yards. But, that is theoretical and may not have a thing to do with what is actually happening in the field.
MPFD
Well-known member
I have a Pattern Master in my Winchester and a Carlson Dead Coyote in my Stoeger. They both work pretty well at the ranges I shoot a shotgun. The pattern master works best with Federal Buck shot because of their wad design, and it works well enough in the Carlson also. Might give Federal a try...
MPFD
Well-known member
I would believe that. If you look at a pattern master it is actually closer to improved cylinder, but it has steal machined in "fingers" that catch the wad and slow it. A tight choke like a .670 is a different deal. I know I will get flamed for it... But Pattern Master suggest using OO Buck for coyotes. They have done extensive testing an found that all balls in the load can be put in a 30" circle at 80 yards. In you have 2 3/4" loads it leaves big holes. But if you shoot 3.5" shells you get a few more pellets...
GC
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: MPFDI would believe that. If you look at a pattern master it is actually closer to improved cylinder, but it has steal machined in "fingers" that catch the wad and slow it. A tight choke like a .670 is a different deal. I know I will get flamed for it... But Pattern Master suggest using OO Buck for coyotes. They have done extensive testing an found that all balls in the load can be put in a 30" circle at 80 yards. In you have 2 3/4" loads it leaves big holes. But if you shoot 3.5" shells you get a few more pellets...
First, no flame intended... However, Patternmaster chokes usually mike out about improved modified (slightly tighter than standard modified) constriction. They were one of the first to try to capture the wad to keep it from banging around at the rear of the shot column and disrupting the pattern. Good idea and that set them apart in the early years and that is when they gained their reputation for tighter patterns. Now, long ago most choke manufacturers caught on to that idea also and now nearly every choke has such a feature unless it is intended for a specialty purpose (Flite Control wads). Other innovations have been discovered in pattern technology that seems to have left Patternmaster in the middle of the pack in shotgun chokes today. Patternmaster suggest 00 Buck because that is what shoots best from the constriction in their chokes. They cater to the steel shot waterfowl crowd and so going any tighter in constriction would be a bad thing. Just so happens that particular constriction does work well with 00 Buck too, so why not ply that market as well? Commonly used and better suited to the predator hunting mission shot sizes such as No. Four Buck, T's, and BB-size shot pellets can use more constriction. The old 30” circle talk that some choke manufacturers speak of when touting their product is for wingshooting. I’ve yet to see a coyote that has a 30” vital area. Like turkey hunters I think more in terms of concentration shot into a 10” circle at point of aim. The more suitable pellets in the load the better I am able to fill that more realistic sized 10” circle. I can do that more easily with 41 No. Four Buck, 50+ tungsten T’s, or 75 tungsten BB’s and all those are plenty enough for coyotes. Not particularly knocking Patternmaster, but they have their specific product and market it with their own particular spin that best suits their advantage. Whether that may or may not be in the best interest of a predator caller is up to that individual to research, gain some experience in the field, and decide for them. There are a lot of excellent products out there to choose from. That’s my take on it…
First, no flame intended... However, Patternmaster chokes usually mike out about improved modified (slightly tighter than standard modified) constriction. They were one of the first to try to capture the wad to keep it from banging around at the rear of the shot column and disrupting the pattern. Good idea and that set them apart in the early years and that is when they gained their reputation for tighter patterns. Now, long ago most choke manufacturers caught on to that idea also and now nearly every choke has such a feature unless it is intended for a specialty purpose (Flite Control wads). Other innovations have been discovered in pattern technology that seems to have left Patternmaster in the middle of the pack in shotgun chokes today. Patternmaster suggest 00 Buck because that is what shoots best from the constriction in their chokes. They cater to the steel shot waterfowl crowd and so going any tighter in constriction would be a bad thing. Just so happens that particular constriction does work well with 00 Buck too, so why not ply that market as well? Commonly used and better suited to the predator hunting mission shot sizes such as No. Four Buck, T's, and BB-size shot pellets can use more constriction. The old 30” circle talk that some choke manufacturers speak of when touting their product is for wingshooting. I’ve yet to see a coyote that has a 30” vital area. Like turkey hunters I think more in terms of concentration shot into a 10” circle at point of aim. The more suitable pellets in the load the better I am able to fill that more realistic sized 10” circle. I can do that more easily with 41 No. Four Buck, 50+ tungsten T’s, or 75 tungsten BB’s and all those are plenty enough for coyotes. Not particularly knocking Patternmaster, but they have their specific product and market it with their own particular spin that best suits their advantage. Whether that may or may not be in the best interest of a predator caller is up to that individual to research, gain some experience in the field, and decide for them. There are a lot of excellent products out there to choose from. That’s my take on it…
MPFD
Well-known member
I agree with you totally. I use federal 4 buck in my Stoeger with the Carlson's. But I have used OO buck with the Pattern Master, it works. What impressed me about their 30" circle talk was that the range was 80 yards, the closer you get to the target the tighter the pattern...
Have Howard Montgomery build you a barrel or choke. Tell him what you want, he'll make it for you. He made a 36" 12 ga. 3" chambered barrel that I can switch out off my Mossberg 590A1 so I can shoot geese and high flying ducks. It is unbelievable. I know he could do something for you.