Still shooting the 20 gauge 3" Federal Heavyweight (15g/cc) 1.5 oz #7s (thanks Bink!).
Weather was not the best but managed to get in a quick pattern at 40 yds. shooting the
20 gauge Remington 11/87 w/ Trulock Federal Heavyweight 7s choke (.560).
3" red circle was used as aiming point (hitting a tad right)
198 in 10"
111 in 20"
Total hits in 20" 309!!
I have a Trulock .575 that I still need to pattern, but gotta say, I am pretty damn impressed with this combination, and don't think I can do much better.
front and back (10") images
:smiley-char092: Unless you just like tinkering, you're good to go. Hunt with it.
We've been killing turkeys for decades with patterns a lot worse than that. It's a killer for certain.
I liked the numbers I always got with that shell. My only problem with them was inconsistent points of impact with every gun and choke I shot them with. May have just been bad luck on my part but you may want to shoot another one or three before you move your sights.
Impressive numbers. I personally wouldn't hunt that pattern, but it sure is a hot core for that shell.
I have a bunch of those shells if any of you fellas get low. I used to rob the shot for loading in 12ga loads.
Roger that tnanh. I'm gonna wait for some warmer weather. Been in the upper 30s low 40s here. Planning on shooting at least two more shots before moving sights.
That's a very good pattern. I've shot close to 20 boxes at paper testing patterns. Compiled a lot of data. I've only broken 190 three times, highest is 211. One gun has done it twice.
One of my three 20 ga set up is a Remington. Bought and tested 12 chokes. Highest I could ever get it was in the 170s a few times. That same choke normally shot in the 140s.
I picked up two used Trulock chokes last year for the Remington. One the TSS 560 and the other the old heavyweight version in 560. One shot 175 and the other shot 176 back to back. I was extremely impressed. I've never had heavyweight shoot that consistent. Trulock got the Remingtons dialed in.
You got ya a good one. I have a good supply of 6 and 7s and that's all I will shoot. They smash em. Congrats.
Oh I've also cut three 7 open and counted shot. They average about 336 pellets in that load. Also learned my Remington likes to be bore snaked but not solvent wiped clean with those shells.
Quote from: Reloader on January 31, 2020, 09:51:14 PM
Impressive numbers. I personally wouldn't hunt that pattern, but it sure is a hot core for that shell.
I have a bunch of those shells if any of you fellas get low. I used to rob the shot for loading in 12ga loads.
Reloader, curious why you wouldn't hunt that pattern? I know I need to shoot it at 20 (I know it's gonna be tight, so imperative sights are dead-on).
PM sent regarding shells
Have you seen Reloaders Patterns they are sick that's why :)
Quote from: Ol timer on February 01, 2020, 01:47:42 PM
Have you seen Reloaders Patterns they are sick that's why :)
Yup. They are great patterns.
Shooting #9s will get ya that density.
Quote from: Brwndg on February 01, 2020, 08:51:06 AM
Quote from: Reloader on January 31, 2020, 09:51:14 PM
Impressive numbers. I personally wouldn't hunt that pattern, but it sure is a hot core for that shell.
I have a bunch of those shells if any of you fellas get low. I used to rob the shot for loading in 12ga loads.
Reloader, curious why you wouldn't hunt that pattern? I know I need to shoot it at 20 (I know it's gonna be tight, so imperative sights are dead-on).
PM sent regarding shells
Just because of the hot core and low amount of fill in. I use handloads, but I set up some guns with these loads years ago when they came out. Had one rig that did 160s, but it was weak outside of the core. Smooth missed a nice tom with it up close. Moved to a rig that did 140s and whacked several b4 returning to handloads. They are great shells and kill with authority. I personally liked them in the 140s for a somewhat more forgiving fringe. I don't knock anyone for going tight though, it's all personal preference.
Have a good one and congrats on the great shooting rig.
I like that 120/140 as well, reloader.
I put together a bunch of data. That 120 pattern lets you have an area about 18 inches wide. Anywhere you move a 10" circle s
Still gives you 100 in 10.
Quote from: savduck on February 02, 2020, 11:53:02 PM
I like that 120/140 as well, reloader.
I put together a bunch of data. That 120 pattern lets you have an area about 18 inches wide. Anywhere you move a 10" circle s
Still gives you 100 in 10.
Yep and they'll flat slam a tom. I had one rig that did 120ish and I killed a pile of birds with it.
Weather was Spring-like here yesterday, so I got out and shot some patterns to test some other chokes.
Shot the Trulock Fed HWT 7 .560, the Carlson LB XR .568, and Trulock TKY .575
All shots taken with 3" 1.5 oz Federal Heavyweight 7s (15g/cc)
First, I shot my three chokes at 20 yds
1) .560 - super tight <8" pattern
2) .568 - forgot to switch out choke so shot that pattern twice. Nice coverage in a 10" box
3) .575 - most evenly distributed pattern of the three and my favorite. But not drastically better than the .568
Then a few patterns at 40 yds.
1) .560 really failed me. Super tight core pattern from original post musta been a fluke. Two more 40 yds patterns gave me 122 and 132. And I was not happy with the super tight pattern at 20 yds.
2) .568 very impressive and better distribution. Shot two patterns: first yielding 199/93 (10"/20"). Shot a second pattern to make sure it wasn't a fluke again 168/139 (10"/20")
3) .575 threw a great pattern as well 145/131 (10"/20")
Gotta say that the Carlson LBXR .568 seems to be the choke I will be hunting with this Spring.
It was a close call between that choke and the .575
Hey brother I'm glad to help. For me, that .568 is where I'd be.
Thanks, Bink.
I'm gonna shoot the .568 and .575 again at 40 yds. Two more times to confirm.
My hesitation w hunting the .568 is that it's not as even as the .575 at 20 yds. (most shots usually are 25 yds and under). It still has a great distribution at 40 yds. too.
The .568 is thinner in the 20" at 40 yds (hotter core, tho) which means I better be on target and the Tom better not be popping on me.
Either way, there are gonna be some turkey necks getting stepped on this April!
Run the bore snake through the gun twice before each shot. Also let gun rest and cool like your shooting a turkey.
Savduck, I will do that. I got the Remington Super Full .572 I will pattern as soon as I get a good day. Been really windy her the last week 20-30 mph.
Shot the Remington SF .572 today.
20 yd was pretty darn tight. Almost as tight as the .560. 40 yd pattern yielded 165/107 (10"/20")
Was hoping it would be the one since it falls between the two chokes I was favoring, the .568 & the .575.
Unfortunately not real happy w the patterns.
I lean towards a more open pattern short range since 90% of shots at at 25 or less.
I'm gonna hunt the .575 this Spring.
Wise choice and you are covered to 50 if needed. Good luck this spring.
Quote from: Brwndg on January 31, 2020, 06:22:57 PM
Still shooting the 20 gauge 3" Federal Heavyweight (15g/cc) 1.5 oz #7s (thanks Bink!).
Weather was not the best but managed to get in a quick pattern at 40 yds. shooting the
20 gauge Remington 11/87 w/ Trulock Federal Heavyweight 7s choke (.560).
3" red circle was used as aiming point (hitting a tad right)
198 in 10"
111 in 20"
Total hits in 20" 309!!
I have a Trulock .575 that I still need to pattern, but gotta say, I am pretty damn impressed with this combination, and don't think I can do much better.
front and back (10") images
I killed one at 46 yards 2 years ago with this combo. He didn't even flop using Franchi Affinity. That choke is amazing with Fed Heavy 7's.
So I ran a bore snake through the barrel w some Ballistol on it and then two dry patches.
Shot the .568 and .575 again at 40 yds.
.568 is my most consistent and even choke. 180/111 (10"/20")
This choke is also, the most accurate with a consistent POA/POI.
.575 gave lower numbers than it had in the past and the pattern was not very even 131/132 (10"/20")
Interesting the .568 ported w/ wad strippers, is the most consistent, most accurate, & highest hits choke
Quote from: Brwndg on March 12, 2020, 10:25:12 AM
So I ran a bore snake through the barrel w some Ballistol on it and then two dry patches.
Shot the .568 and .575 again at 40 yds.
.568 is my most consistent and even choke. 180/111 (10"/20")
This choke is also, the most accurate with a consistent POA/POI.
.575 gave lower numbers than it had in the past and the pattern was not very even 131/132 (10"/20")
Interesting the .568 ported w/ wad strippers, is the most consistent, most accurate, & highest hits choke
Dont look at the internal rings an the Carlson's chokes as "wad strippers", but more like slowers. From their waterfowl chokes to turkey chokes to varmint series, they perform BEAUTIFULLY with federal loads with the FC wads and give me fantastic patterns all the way around. I normally run patternmaster for waterfowl-unless I'm using black cloud loads. Then it's the Carlson's cremator series with the internal rings. Out of my 1300 and SBE II, the federal heavyweights are all I run with the LB chokes and I get devastating patterns with the 15/8 and 17/8 ounce 7s.
Mightyjoeyoung, you called them "flowers". What effect do they have and what difference from wad strippers?
Alls I know is that it is giving me some wicked patterns that I cannot wait to unleash on some wattles next month.
Quote from: Brwndg on March 12, 2020, 06:15:06 PM
Mightyjoeyoung, you called them "flowers". What effect do they have and what difference from wad strippers?
Alls I know is that it is giving me some wicked patterns that I cannot wait to unleash on some wattles next month.
wad SLOWERS.
Oops! I guess I really should be wearing my glasses when I read these posts. :begging: :lol: