Browning BPS with a Carlson's LongBeard XR choke in .665, shootin LB XR 3.5 2oz #5s. This was one of my initial pattern checks with the new gun on blank cardboard and with a 8 7/8 inch circle around it (paper plate). I posted not too long ago with a picture of a shoot and see target with the POI slightly off, and got it squared away the the other day. With the POI perfect I've noticed that this setup has a very dense core and doesn't seem to have too much coverage outside of about a 15" circle. Is this pattern too tight in you pattern guru's or am I overthinking this?
You might try one up close at 20 yards or so and see how it does. If you let them have it that close?
That may help you decide.
Yes that is an awful hot core . Might try a 3" or the heavier charge in the 3 1/2".
Here's a pic of one at 20....Pretty darn tight. I prefer not to let one get inside of 25 if possible, but we all know Tom can pop up anywhere. I thought about trying out a Pure Gold .670, but the season is right around the corner and I might have to run with this for a while. Think the PG would open up the pattern a little?
Be hard to tell. There are just so many variables to each barrel and choke. If you have one available I would try it. You could search here for posts of that combo.
Don't have my hands on one but I'll get around to it hopefully. I'm not necessarily upset with the pattern with #5s I'm hanging around the 175-185 range, but the core being so danged hot is what is sort of bothering me. I appreciate the reply.
You bet,good luck with your choice.a few post down a Winchester x3 did shoot some nice patterns for hunting with the pure gold .
I'm also wondering the same thing with my setup. 20yds and under is so so tight.
I'm not so much worried about the super tight 20 as I am the dense core at 40. Pick your poison with the choke/shell combos of today. If you want 150+ in a 10 at 40, then your probably going to have a tight 20. I attached one of my shoot-to-see 12" targets before I adjusted my POI, and you can see even though it's to the right, it's still a really dense core with not a ton of error room to the left or right of the core. The thumbnail is going to show the pattern as low, but if you click the attachment it turns the picture the correct way.
Try some other chokes maybe even a factory couple n see what happens
IMO, yes.
Hey try some Winchester double x 3" number 5s and see what you think about that 1) there cheaper, 2) your gun don't look like you shot a muzzle loader. 3) you might find a more even spread pattern.
What do I know though just thought I'd give an idea. The Winchester longbeards are just too tight for me personally.
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Don't hesitate to try a 3" load, either. Both my rigs shoot better patterns with the 1 3/4 oz 3" loads than the 3.5's.
Coop, Grab some LB 6's and throw a couple down range to see what they do.
Buddy and I just checked the zero on his BPS today since he missed a bird at 35 yds. Man, that thing has a hot center at 40 yds.! The main core of the pattern is 7 1/2" X 7 1/2"! The entire pattern is no more than 12". This is with the standard choke (not sure constriction) and Longbeard, 3", #5's.
I love all of those patterns. I try to aim as if Im shooting a rifle so no need for a 50 gallon drum size pattern.
This why I shoot #6 shot. You still have a good tight core but better coverage in the 20" then #5 shot.
And yes the #6 lead will fe effective for any misjudge past 40 yards ...been there done that multiple times.
I like it