I shot a few this evening and was really surprised at a few of the patterns I got. Check em out and tell me what ya think.
1.) 870 EXPRESS W/ 26" BARREL - JH 665 - WIN SUPER X 3" 1-7/8 OZ #6 @ 30 YDS
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2aam4cy.jpg)
2.) 870 EXPRESS W/ 26" BARREL - KICKS 655 - WIN SUPER X 3" 1-7/8 OZ #6 @ 30 YDS
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2uhl7j4.jpg)
3.) 870 EXPRESS W/ 26" BARREL - KICKS 655 - WIN SUPER X 3" 1-7/8 OZ #6 @ 40 YDS
(http://i56.tinypic.com/fayhiv.jpg)
4.) 870 SM W/ 23" BARREL - JH 665 - WIN SUPER X 3" 1-7/8 OZ #6 @ 30 YDS
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2a9a4k3.jpg)
5.) 870 SM W/ 23" BARREL - JH 665 - FEDERAL PREMIUM 3.5" 2.25 OZ #5 @ 30 YDS
(http://i53.tinypic.com/28lugkz.jpg)
6.) 870 SM W/ 23" BARREL - REM SUPER FULL - H-13 3.5" 2.25 OZ #6 @ 30 YDS
(http://i53.tinypic.com/20kvl1u.jpg)
POI was off on patterns 1, 2, and 3. That barrel only has a single bead so it's very possible my aim was off a bit. I liked patterns 2 &3 but wasn't enthused about 1.
I wasn't really enthused with pattern #4 at all. Nothing more to say about it really.
I was sorta surprised (in a good way) by pattern #5 honestly. That's a good pattern for 5's in my opinion. (This is the only load in which the wad penetrated the paper @ 30 yds. That surprised me also.)
I really liked what I saw with pattern #6. I had all but decided to designate the H-13's for fields/really open woods due to the tightness of patterns but the REM SF opened it up a good bit (which is what I was hoping for).
So now I have to decide what I want to carry to the woods with me on opening day. It will be the 870 SM w/ 23" barrel (I prefer it for several reasons over the Express) for sure but still have a decision to make on the ammo/choke combo. It will either be REM SF/H-13 3.5"-2.25oz-#6 or KICKS .655/Win Super X 3" 1-7/8oz. #6 (pattern results in another one of my posts). As of now, it will be the latter of the two but combos #5 and #6 are killers too. Don't think I could go wrong with any of the three honestly.
:icon_thumright:
I would settle for either. Put a little finer bead on the dot and you will bring that pattern down just a hair and totally wipe one out.
Also try some Win Supreme 3-1 3/4-#6 in the black shell with that 655 and see what happens.
Patterns 4, 5, & 6 look good to me.
I think #3 was your least desirable pattern looks like a lot of holes or a missed/cripple shot. I would take any of the others with me. Carry both your preferred lead load and chamber it first have the second shell be the HM 3 inch #6 and you are cooking. Nice post and great images.
Quote from: mossy835 on March 02, 2011, 10:57:16 AM
I think #3 was your least desirable pattern looks like a lot of holes or a missed/cripple shot.
Yeah, the #3 pattern is a bit of an oddball since it's @ 40 yds and POI is off a bit to the right. I wasn't very impressed with how that gun shot as a whole. I did previously pattern that same round out of my 870 SM 23"/Kick's .655/Burris SpeedBead and it did very well @ 40 yds.
nice
I like #5
I will shoot lead 4's and 6's,but my favorite lead load is going to be 1-3/4 to 2-1/4oz's of #5's in a 12ga and 1-1/4 to 1-5/16 oz's of #5's in a 20ga