Gun - Mossberg 835 "Turkey Thug" - 20" barrel
After much research, I've narrowed it down to the following two chokes:
1. TruGlo SSX - .670
2. Primos JH - .690
Loads:
1. Hevi - 3" or 3.5" #6, #7 or Magblends ???
Im looking for a nice, even, dense, hunting pattern.
This will be my first "go round" with hevi shot
Thoughts?
I would shoot the ssx with either the 3 or 3 1/2 hevi's, i just dont care for the blends.
I don't have a 835 but my grandad has a 24" and my uncle has a 20" 835. They both shoot Indian creek tubes. My uncle shoots 3.5 Winchester XX #6's and my grandad shoots 3" hevi 6's. Both will easily kill a turkey farther than we're allowed to talk about on this forum.. But between your choice of the JH and SSX. I'd go SSX hands down in the 835.
I would call William at SumToy Customs! He makes a MEAN 20 GAUGE CHOKE!!
Well I have a 835 but with a 28" barrel. I have shot both of those chokes. I can tell you without a doubt in my mind whatsoever that the SSX is the way to go. I would strongly recommend shooting Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7's.
Sounds like Im gonna give the SSX a try first. I've shot 3" shells out of an 870 and a CZ 712 for the past 14 years. Do the 3.5" hevi produce better patterns consistently than the 3"? I think I've narrowed it down to the straight 6 or 7's. The patterns I've seen with the 7's on here are amazing....... Wish I could get that little voice out my head telling me I need bigger shot.
I know I may have to spend some time with different combos, but Im looking at a good starting point.... Sheesh, those loads are pricey ;)
Quote from: czecheiko on March 17, 2013, 09:40:52 AM
Wish I could get that little voice out my head telling me I need bigger shot.
That little voice has not shot hevi 7's. Same voice talked to me too until I tried them. After seeing how they treat turkeys the little voice is now mute and looking to shoot hevi 7's also. :)
Quote from: czecheiko on March 16, 2013, 11:00:51 PM
Gun - Mossberg 835 "Turkey Thug" - 20" barrel
After much research, I've narrowed it down to the following two chokes:
1. TruGlo SSX - .670
2. Primos JH - .690
Loads:
1. Hevi - 3" or 3.5" #6, #7 or Magblends ???
Im looking for a nice, even, dense, hunting pattern.
This will be my first "go round" with hevi shot
Thoughts?
I'd agree with the majority of the recommendations you've received and go with the SSX. I shoot that choke in both the 835 and the 935 and mainly use 3" Hevi-13 with 2 oz. of #6 shot, just because I shoot so much of that in still target competition and know what it does at various ranges. I would not however, hesitate to shoot the #7 shot load.
If you prefer the 3.5" shells, I'd go with the #6 or #7 shot, with those same shells. Either size shot will do the job very well.
Lastly, I would recommend that you "deep clean" the bore of that gun. It can really help more than you might imagine.
Good luck this spring.
Thanks,
Clark
I vote for the SSX and 3" 2oz. #7 shot. Recoil is less on your shoulder and all the whammy needed for a turkey noggin'. If it were left up to the turkeys I believe they would outlaw that combination as just not fair to the poor ol' bird. :gobble: :gobble:
TruGlo SSX with hvy 3.5" #7. There is big difference in pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards with 3" and 3.5". I'm 63 with a rotator cuff problem and I've have never felt the recoil from the 3.5" while shooting at a turkey. You won't know the difference but the turkey will.
SSX .670 or Pure Gold .670 and a Hevi 13 # 7's all day!
This thread is useless without pictures. So give me about 5 min and I will show you since I am from the Show-Me-State wy I would pick the SSX. But the Jelly Head still throws a mean overall pattern.
40yds tape measured shooting Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7's
Jelly Head .690 temp was probably around 65 degrees or so
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF0075_Small_.jpg)
TruGlo SSX temp was 45 degrees
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF0069.jpg)
Now that I have had time to think about the TruGlo SSX choke I had, I did get to shoot it to see how it would do on like a 70 degree day since my Star Dot shoot so well at this temp. Here's what it did at 40yds. I remeber now it wouldn't beat my Star Dot. But it still shot one heck of a pattern.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00941.jpg)
And here was the Star Dot from that day.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/526/DSCF00891.jpg)