I have been searching and searching and i have not seen anyone post up any patterns anywhere using the Hevi-Shot Turkey chokes with various loads. I will be testing it out of a new Mossberg 835, 24 inch barrel and Hevi Magnum blend 5/6/7 and Hevi-Shot straight 7's both in 3 1/2 magnum. I will get some pictures up asap.
I think you will be impressed by these new chokes. I have patterned them with many different loads and had good results. You will get the best results when you combine it with Hevi-shot loads because it was designed and tested around these loads. Their waterfowl chokes are also really good chokes. I dont have any pics of the patterns, but I will be doing some more testing soon and I willpost the results. I would recommend them to anybody.
Well folks, the results were seriously upsetting. I feel very let down by the folks at Hevi-Shot and whomever made this choke for them. I shot a box of both the 3 1/2 straight 7's and a box of the Magnum Blend. I even had a close friend of mine come along and he shot my gun because i just thought it was me, but he got the same results. I will post pictures of my best pattern which is from 30 yards, i was so upset that i didnt even attempt a 40 yard shot. The temp was 58 degrees, sunny, no wind at all. We checked the POI and got it all squared away with a box of AA's and moved on to the big disappointment. This pattern is the best one of the bunch, its the straight 7's. I am so upset with the performance i cant see straight. I guess i should have saved my money and just got the Indian Creek and been done with it. :angry9:
(http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af133/MrGorilla2010/DSCN0543.jpg)
(http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af133/MrGorilla2010/DSCN0542.jpg)
looks like a stone cold dead turkey to me - I'm not big on counting holes but to me it looks like you could step back a bit and still be well assured of a dead gobbler
looks like the densest part of the pattern is going about 2-3 inches to the right , if you can adjust for that it will improve even better
Quote from: Old Gobbler on September 25, 2011, 04:56:16 PM
looks like a stone cold dead turkey to me - I'm not big on counting holes but to me it looks like you could step back a bit and still be well assured of a dead gobbler
looks like the densest part of the pattern is going about 2-3 inches to the right , if you can adjust for that it will improve even better
X2. Did you thouroughly clean the gun and choke after firing those AA's through it? A clean barrel and choke might improve the pattern a bit but I see a very dead turkey right there. Pattern is reasonably even but it's a little hard to tell with such a small portion of the target visible. how big was the paper you used and if it wasn't a good 30" piece, how can you be absolutley sure your pattern is really centered?
I would have to agree with the poster. That isn't bad, but for 30yds it ain't good either. I would hate to see the pattern from that same load and distance using my 835 and Star Dot choke. That's what you need to find. It will be the most consistent choke in your 835. A Pure Gold .670 is a pretty good one as well. I have both. I had an Indian Creek .675 and it shot pretty good too.
Quote from: mightyjoeyoung on September 25, 2011, 05:39:06 PM
Quote from: Old Gobbler on September 25, 2011, 04:56:16 PM
looks like a stone cold dead turkey to me - I'm not big on counting holes but to me it looks like you could step back a bit and still be well assured of a dead gobbler
looks like the densest part of the pattern is going about 2-3 inches to the right , if you can adjust for that it will improve even better
X2. Did you thouroughly clean the gun and choke after firing those AA's through it? A clean barrel and choke might improve the pattern a bit but I see a very dead turkey right there. Pattern is reasonably even but it's a little hard to tell with such a small portion of the target visible. how big was the paper you used and if it wasn't a good 30" piece, how can you be absolutley sure your pattern is really centered?
I did give the barrel a quick clean between the AA's and the big boy loads. I do agree that the best part of that pattern is to the right about 2-3 inches, but it wasnt always like that on the other shots. And yes the paper behind my turkey target was 48x48, it kept everything inside 30 which is great and all, but those patterns are too patchy and too broken up for the quality of these shells and a supposedly top of the line choke.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 05:46:35 PM
I would have to agree with the poster. That isn't bad, but for 30yds it ain't good either. I would hate to see the pattern from that same load and distance using my 835 and Star Dot choke. That's what you need to find. It will be the most consistent choke in your 835. A Pure Gold .670 is a pretty good one as well. I have both. I had an Indian Creek .675 and it shot pretty good too.
Sir, i would be grateful to find a nice Star Dot for this gun. I know its asking alot but im always looking for one. I guess the next best thing i can do is either get the Indian Creek or the Pure Gold. I really need this to be at least a 40+ gun, some of the areas i hunt are pretty open and some of these birds are very very stubborn.
Did I miss what size that choke is. I like the 675 rang in the guns. Now some have had good luck out of a 670. Now if you want to just hunt that is a dead bird. Now if you want to count shot and kill him what I would say is very dead :TooFunny: Look into a ST a SD or a IC
Quote from: SumToy on September 25, 2011, 07:32:15 PM
Did I miss what size that choke is. I like the 675 rang in the guns. Now some have had good luck out of a 670. Now if you want to just hunt that is a dead bird. Now if you want to count shot and kill him what I would say is very dead :TooFunny: Look into a ST a SD or a IC
It says .676 on the choke itself. Now if the Indian Creek is a .675, is it going to be a world different in how it performs to what i have now? I just don't care to waste alot of money if i don't have too
Philippe,
I'm not one to lead you astray. I will tell you that a Indian Creek choke shoots good. Around 290 shot in a 10" at 40yds for probably an avg with the hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7 loads. Will the Pure Gold beat that I don't know. I haven't shot it enough to tell you. But what I do know for certain is that neither of them will beat the Star Dot consistently. But all 3 of these chokes will shoot very well. If you can find a Star Dot that is in good shape for around $50 or less I would buy it. The Star Dot I have is .676 exit diameter. It will very easily avg over 300 shot in a 10" at 40yds in most turkey hunting weather.
I'll add if I were to shoot the 835 with a Star Dot at 30yds I would hate to guess how many shot I could put in a 10" circle. Probably 425 at least or or more. That's just a guess.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 08:00:34 PM
I'll add if I were to shoot the 835 with a Star Dot at 30yds I would hate to guess how many shot I could put in a 10" circle. Probably 425 at least or or more. That's just a guess.
Well i'd love to have one, so if you see anyone that has a nice one please let me know! I've been after one for a while now. :thanks:
Here's the best the Star Dot has done so far at 40yds.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00593.jpg)
I'd bet money that pattern at 30yds would easily be 450 shot in the 10".
And that pattern was tape measured by me exactly at 40yds to target from tip of choke.
I have turned also one almost as good in with the Pure Gold .670 choke I have. But I will be honest so far the Pure Gold just doesn't seem to shoot as tight or consistenly as well as the Star Dot. Not 1 choke I know of will beat the Star Dot in the 835. Now that's as honest as I can be.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00565.jpg)
Quote from: Philippe on September 25, 2011, 07:57:13 PM
Quote from: SumToy on September 25, 2011, 07:32:15 PM
Did I miss what size that choke is. I like the 675 rang in the guns. Now some have had good luck out of a 670. Now if you want to just hunt that is a dead bird. Now if you want to count shot and kill him what I would say is very dead :TooFunny: Look into a ST a SD or a IC
It says .676 on the choke itself. Now if the Indian Creek is a .675, is it going to be a world different in how it performs to what i have now? I just don't care to waste alot of money if i don't have too
It has alot to do with the lay out of the choke not the size. It is odd with the HV-13 choke most folks have some good luck with them. I think I know what it is with them but little more feed back will know. I would think that the chokes I gave you will give good numbers and ILIKEHEVI has got good numbers from a PG also.
Philippe,
This still in my honest opinion is the best overall 10" pattern I have ever shot. Star Dot .676 choke was the culprit and Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7's. 40yds taped
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF0056_Small_.jpg)
I would be very happy if i could get this gun to shoot like that in the next week or so. I just upset that Hevi choke performed like it did....
And I will say that William(SumToy) is producing some very good stainless chokes that are putting up some great numbers. And he will work with you so you are happy.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 08:26:06 PM
And I will say that William(SumToy) is producing some very good stainless chokes that are putting up some great numbers. And he will work with you so you are happy.
Yeah i heard they are good guys that make some wicked chokes. I've read about them on other forums as well. Sometimes i feel as if i am expecting too much from this gun.
Quote from: Philippe on September 25, 2011, 08:32:37 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 08:26:06 PM
And I will say that William(SumToy) is producing some very good stainless chokes that are putting up some great numbers. And he will work with you so you are happy.
Yeah i heard they are good guys that make some wicked chokes. I've read about them on other forums as well. Sometimes i feel as if i am expecting too much from this gun.
Naa your not. The 835 .775 bore barrels will put up some tremendous turkey patterns with Hevi-13 loads if you find the right choke. Notice I said tremendous instead of very good or excellent. It's not hard to make the 835 a very good shooter. But if you play around a little you will see what I mean. There will be some tremendous patterns to be shot. But really your pattern will very easily kill a bird at 40yds. And to some, that is all you need.
I love the gun, dont mind the cruel recoil, i just want to toss a mean pattern to 40-45 incase i run into some of those stubborn birds again. I know one thing, im glad i dont have fillings, im sure they would have loosened up a bit today :TooFunny:
stay away from the hevishot choke tubes,they are not worth half the money they want for them
Quote from: surehuntsalot on September 25, 2011, 09:36:06 PM
stay away from the hevishot choke tubes,they are not worth half the money they want for them
I just learned that lesson today, you wanna buy mine? :TooFunny:
Well that really depends on the gun your using them in. They work very well in the Beretta Xtrema so I am told.
I would really suggest that before you invest more money in another turkey choke for your 835 that you thoroughly "deep clean" the bore. It has been my experience that it can help more than might at first be imagined. I actually published that article because of my experiences over so many years in working with so many 835 shooters.
There are few guns on the market today that can match the patterns of the 835. The challenge becomes really cleaning the bore. If you'll follow the guidelines in the article and pay special attention the recommendation of using a 10 gauge brush or at least a good new 12 gauge brush and allow the Hoppe's #9 time to do its work, I think you'll see a real difference in your patterns.
It will take a little bit of your time but it may save you many dollars and much frustration in trying one choke after another.
The Hevi-13 choke is a good one, made from excellent materials and at least in my experience, delivers very good patterns.
One last recommendation that might be worth at least considering. I see much better patterns with straight #6 shot. I also recommend the 3" shells rather than the 3.5" shells. They just pattern more evenly for me but to each his own of course.
Thanks,
Clark
P.S. The article is entitled "Cleaning a Shotgun Barrel" and you can find it by clicking on the banner below. I hope you find it helpful.
I appreciate your input, i was just reading about bore polishing a few minutes ago. I guess this is another thing i need to do before i hit the patterning board again next week!
Quote from: allaboutshooting on September 25, 2011, 10:14:12 PM
I would really suggest that before you invest more money in another turkey choke for your 835 that you thoroughly "deep clean" the bore. It has been my experience that it can help more than might at first be imagined. I actually published that article because of my experiences over so many years in working with so many 835 shooters.
There are few guns on the market today that can match the patterns of the 835. The challenge becomes really cleaning the bore. If you'll follow the guidelines in the article and pay special attention the recommendation of using a 10 gauge brush or at least a good new 12 gauge brush and allow the Hoppe's #9 time to do its work, I think you'll see a real difference in your patterns.
It will take a little bit of your time but it may save you many dollars and much frustration in trying one choke after another.
The Hevi-13 choke is a good one, made from excellent materials and at least in my experience, delivers very good patterns.
One last recommendation that might be worth at least considering. I see much better patterns with straight #6 shot. I also recommend the 3" shells rather than the 3.5" shells. They just pattern more evenly for me but to each his own of course.
Thanks,
Clark
P.S. The article is entitled "Cleaning a Shotgun Barrel" and you can find it by clicking on the banner below. I hope you find it helpful.
Beretta/ Hevi Choke
300-310 in a 10 in circle @ 40. (12 gauge)
170's in a 10 in circle @ 40 (20 gauge)
Turning good patterns has been a process for me with all of my guns. Have tried allot of the chokes out there such as Rhino, primos, tru glo, mad, kicks, Hastings, pure gold, and the list goes on. I have seen them all shoot terrible at one time or the other despite the fact they are all good chokes. All guns are different and finding the right combo for each gun has been a process for me. I've seen too many amazing patterns from hevi chokes out of my guns and others to claim that hevi choke is not a quality choke. Anytime you hit a good combo on the first try you are very fortunate. Polishing the barrel wouldn't hurt. I agree with Clark..try the 3/2/6's Hevi shot. I would hit up my turkey hunting friends and buy some single shells from them. Try a number of different shells before going out and buying other chokes or boxes of shells. If it comes to that Star Dot (if you can find one) or Pure Gold would be my next choice. Good luck..Keep on shooting! :z-guntootsmiley:
Well if i had any friends that hunted i would but i dont :(, I'd like to try the 3 1/2 6's and the Winchester extended range 3 1/2 6's still, but 20-40 a box is killing my pocket pook.
Quote from: Longshanks on September 25, 2011, 11:11:21 PM
Beretta/ Hevi Choke
300-310 in a 10 in circle @ 40. (12 gauge)
170's in a 10 in circle @ 40 (20 gauge)
Turning good patterns has been a process for me with all of my guns. Have tried allot of the chokes out there such as Rhino, primos, tru glo, mad, kicks, Hastings, pure gold, and the list goes on. I have seen them all shoot terrible at one time or the other despite the fact they are all good chokes. All guns are different and finding the right combo for each gun has been a process for me. I've seen too many amazing patterns from hevi chokes out of my guns and others to claim that hevi choke is not a quality choke. Anytime you hit a good combo on the first try you are very fortunate. Polishing the barrel wouldn't hurt. I agree with Clark..try the 3/2/6's Hevi shot. I would hit up my turkey hunting friends and buy some single shells from them. Try a number of different shells before going out and buying other chokes or boxes of shells. If it comes to that Star Dot (if you can find one) or Pure Gold would be my next choice. Good luck..Keep on shooting! :z-guntootsmiley:
Here is a pattern from my 835 with a Star Dot choke and Hevi Mag Blends 3" shells. There are 176 hits in 10" at 40 yards. I have gotten more hits with other shells but this is a hunting pattern that gives the crazy behind the trigger room to shake a little. :wave: The pattern is even and them Mag Blends hits like a brick thrown from a cannon. Do not count numbers, look for even with 150 or so hits at 40 yards in 10". Too many hits at 40 makes your gun a rifle at 15 and under. Good Luck!
I use the Hevi Shot .662 REM model in a short barrel old 1187 sps green leaf camo. Shoots well.
Quote from: Philippe on September 26, 2011, 06:10:43 AM
Well if i had any friends that hunted i would but i dont :(, I'd like to try the 3 1/2 6's and the Winchester extended range 3 1/2 6's still, but 20-40 a box is killing my pocket pook.
Put together a list of individual shells you would like to try..submit it and I'm sure someone will respond..you have lots of friends on here who turkey hunt. :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Longshanks on September 25, 2011, 11:11:21 PM
Beretta/ Hevi Choke
300-310 in a 10 in circle @ 40. (12 gauge)
170's in a 10 in circle @ 40 (20 gauge)
Turning good patterns has been a process for me with all of my guns. Have tried allot of the chokes out there such as Rhino, primos, tru glo, mad, kicks, Hastings, pure gold, and the list goes on. I have seen them all shoot terrible at one time or the other despite the fact they are all good chokes. All guns are different and finding the right combo for each gun has been a process for me. I've seen too many amazing patterns from hevi chokes out of my guns and others to claim that hevi choke is not a quality choke. Anytime you hit a good combo on the first try you are very fortunate. Polishing the barrel wouldn't hurt. I agree with Clark..try the 3/2/6's Hevi shot. I would hit up my turkey hunting friends and buy some single shells from them. Try a number of different shells before going out and buying other chokes or boxes of shells. If it comes to that Star Dot (if you can find one) or Pure Gold would be my next choice. Good luck..Keep on shooting! :z-guntootsmiley:
Woods and Water in Tuscaloosa,AL sell singles but you may have to wait til a little closer to turkey season for them to be available.
Quote from: Longshanks on September 26, 2011, 03:55:05 PM
Woods and Water in Tuscaloosa,AL sell singles but you may have to wait til a little closer to turkey season for them to be available.
I tried to look, i didnt even see ammo avaliable on the site.
Call the store and ask for the guys in the gun dept and again you may have to wait a little closer to turkey season to buy an assortment of singles for testing.
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 10:02:47 PM
Well that really depends on the gun your using them in. They work very well in the Beretta Xtrema so I am told.
:agreed:
Quotestay away from the hevishot choke tubes,they are not worth half the money they want for them
Mine does this with a Hevishot choke and Hevi-13 3 1/2 inch 7's at 40 yards.
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2uz9g1c.jpg)
278 inside ten inches at 40 may not raise any eye brows around this place but it's by far the best I got any choke to pattern out of my 835. And I tried Jellyhead, Pure Gold, IC, etc, etc.
"278 inside ten inches at 40 may not raise any eye brows"
People have become spoiled. That's an awesome pattern.
I agree. That's a better than good pattern for sure no matter who is doing the viewing. :icon_thumright:
Quote from: goblr77 on October 05, 2011, 08:43:02 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 10:02:47 PM
Well that really depends on the gun your using them in. They work very well in the Beretta Xtrema so I am told.
:agreed:
You knew I was talking about you didn't ya? LOL!
Show us your killer pattern so those that think these chokes suck may rethink their thoughts. Like I said it all depends on the gun.
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on October 06, 2011, 03:06:18 AM
"278 inside ten inches at 40 may not raise any eye brows"
People have become spoiled. That's an awesome pattern.
:agreed: Thant is an awesome pattern. Better than the pattern I hunt with but honestly I do not want to hunt with a pattern like that. I like 160-200 at 40 yards in case ole longbeard sneaks in at 10 yards. ;)
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on October 06, 2011, 05:49:23 AM
Quote from: goblr77 on October 05, 2011, 08:43:02 PM
Quote from: ILIKEHEVI-13 on September 25, 2011, 10:02:47 PM
Well that really depends on the gun your using them in. They work very well in the Beretta Xtrema so I am told.
:agreed:
You knew I was talking about you didn't ya? LOL!
Show us your killer pattern so those that think these chokes suck may rethink their thoughts. Like I said it all depends on the gun.
This is the best one I've shot out of the Xtrema with that choke and Hevi 2.25oz 7's. Worst pattern was 291. Didn't shoot it many times with these loads trying to conserve the ones I had in that particular lot.
Quote from: Philippe on September 25, 2011, 06:55:22 PM
Sir, i would be grateful to find a nice Star Dot for this gun. I know its asking alot but im always looking for one. I guess the next best thing i can do is either get the Indian Creek or the Pure Gold. I really need this to be at least a 40+ gun, some of the areas i hunt are pretty open and some of these birds are very very stubborn.
Stardot didnt work for me. I vote Pure Gold or something in a 675. Mine likes Kicks 675. I never tried a Pure Gold.
Love my Star Dot and the few that I know that have them love them also.
Quote from: davisd9 on October 06, 2011, 03:03:51 PM
Love my Star Dot and the few that I know that have them love them also.
The Star Dot will flat out smoke with 2.25 oz 7's. PG would be my second choice. SumToy 3rd. The patterns below were shot with an 835 with a polished 24" pipe.
Quote from: goblr77 on October 06, 2011, 03:26:40 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on October 06, 2011, 03:03:51 PM
Love my Star Dot and the few that I know that have them love them also.
The Star Dot will flat out smoke with 2.25 oz 7's. PG would be my second choice. SumToy 3rd. The patterns below were shot with an 835 with a polished 24" pipe.
Your 835 looks just like my new one. Cannot wait to get some blood on it.
835 with Star Dot Hevi 6s 1 5/8 oz.
Quote from: goblr77 on October 06, 2011, 03:26:40 PM
Quote from: davisd9 on October 06, 2011, 03:03:51 PM
Love my Star Dot and the few that I know that have them love them also.
The Star Dot will flat out smoke with 2.25 oz 7's. PG would be my second choice. SumToy 3rd. The patterns below were shot with an 835 with a polished 24" pipe.
Those are exceptional patterns. And I want to add that if anyone that tried a Star Dot choke in the 835 and it didn't work then more than likely it was a fluke. I have owned 2 Star Dot chokes and although I never shot the new one, but I did give it to a guy I worked with and 1 of my good shooting Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7 loads. He said it loaded up a 9" circle at 40yds with like 290 shot. Now that is 2 Star Dot chokes that I have owned personally and I would bet money both would shoot about the same with these loads, and I would also bet money you would be hard pressed to find a better shooting choke period for the 835. Now I don't know persoally about some of the Preston Pittman Star Dot chokes and if they did some altering on them vs the regular Star Dot chokes or not. I know reloader on here told me about the Star Dot choke. He, too, said it's probably one of the best chokes in the 835 shooting hevi-shot loads.
The Star Dot INV+ choke works great with HTL loads. I used to have one in RemChoke that liked HTL loads as well, but my Indian Creek .665 RemChoke outshot it. The Star Dot 40 Yard Lead patterns have been nothing special in INV+ or RemChoke, but 35 Yards is just fine.
It didn't pattern in my gun. Maybe its the gun. I even tried the holy grail lot# 300325 hevi 7s. I polished the barrel according to the directions on this site. My browning silver patterns better. My mossy 835 project was a failure. Plus they kick like a mule. If I would have kept it, I would shoot 3".
Just my .02. Don't want to start an argument, just sharing my story. I've seen some incredible patterns posted. Great gun, but not for me.
That was a great lot, too. Yea the choke just may not been up to par. Who knows? Was it a Preston Pittman Star Dot choke or a regular Star Dot? Don't know if it mattered or not, but then again if you didn't buy the choke in the package you probably wouldn't be able to know. I don't think that they labeled the choke Pittman anywhere. And they may have been made the same I don't know for sure. But then again when you buy from someone else you never know if they messed with it by trying to alter it in some way. That's just a guess on my part.
I just polished the bore and am useing a jelleyhead that I got new for 25.00 and some kent dimond shot #4 3 1/2 turkey shells Ill tell you I was useing rem nitros it took me a hour to clean the gun with those shells with the kent a few runs threw the barrel and clean amost looked clean still after 6 shots threw it with rem 3 and my gun was gunked and these shoot great patterns at 40 and 50 I know there not the hevi 13 but .25 the cost and patterns look as good as what I see here.