Patterning Stevens 301 and noticed something

[AdrianJHare]

Has anyone else seen that the pattern in the 410 loads seem to spread fast the more you shot the gun.   I took 5 shots and the 5th was not a $9.00 shell that I shot.  The pattern started tight but as I dialed the scope in after 5 shots it was everywhere.

This was my 4th shot

[owlhoot]

I would say to clean it good then use denatured alcohol to get the residues out.
Some guns like a few shots and some really clean.
That 4th shot looks good.
Check and make sure your choke tube did not come loose too.

[hoythunter]

What choke are using. Just asking because I have the same gun and same loads. I haven't patterned  it yet but will do soon. I am for sure going to try the factory choke first if not happy with it I guess I will look into a jebs or sumtoy.

[davisd9]

My 301 compact likes a shiny barrel. Would not shoot more than 3 shells without cleaning and prefer 2

[Greg Massey]

My 301 compact likes a shiny barrel. Would not shoot more than 3 shells without cleaning and prefer 2

After i got my new one home it took me half day just to get the barrel clean ...LOL .....

[FL-Boss]

Every time I pattern a gun, I clean the barrel after every shot.  When I hunt, I always start with a clean barrel.   The wads leave some serious trash and will impact most guns  - especially the 20ga federal.