Well...it looks like I may have 24-26 different chokes to evaluate with the WLB shells. This has turned into a major project with most manufacturers wanting to participate.
It will be the most comprehensive evaluation that I've done, or have read anywhere about of the major brands of chokes, in the configurations that the makers consider their best, for a particular shell.
It will take some time and will be somewhat weather dependent but I believe the results will be beneficial to all of us as turkey hunters.
Please bear with me as I launch this project.
Thanks,
Clark
I'd like to be your orthopaedic surgeon Clark... ::) :lol:
Quote from: CrustyRusty on November 06, 2014, 11:31:10 PM
I'd like to be your orthopaedic surgeon Clark... ::) :lol:
I have one and he's become a good friend. All the shooting over the years has taken a toll on my body. My back is overdeveloped on one side and underdeveloped on the other. The torque to the right shoulder that turns my body each time I shoot has been documented.
Years of physical therapy have not helped to compensate. I spend some time in the gym 3 days each week working on groups of muscles that help strengthen my support and shooting arms and back muscles.
My major concern used to be my eyes. Shooting as many high power loads as I do each year, I had a concern about detached retinas. Many of my friends in this business have had that problem. I have been fortunate, so far, and my eyes are healthy.
I've been doing this for a very long time now.
It's the downside of the career that I have chosen but every job has some perils. I enjoy what I do and would not want to trade it for any other job I can imagine.
Thanks,
Clark
This stuff is so much fun, and seemingly so harmless; that it's hard to think about any side-efects from high-volume shooting. But, I suppose that anything in life has some risk associated with it.
Will you be doing any testing with 3 inch out of a Remington 870?
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on November 09, 2014, 06:28:10 PM
This stuff is so much fun, and seemingly so harmless; that it's hard to think about any side-efects from high-volume shooting. But, I suppose that anything in life has some risk associated with it.
The volume of shells is the real culprit. I've been shooting way too many turkey loads for the past 15 years, year after year. Early on, I did not use much in the way of recoil protection. All but a very few shells have been shot off my right shoulder with a variety of guns, some of which are pretty unpleasant. Now most of my guns are equipped with very good, the best I can find, recoil pads and I use EvoShield as well. It really helps but a lot of damage has been done and nothing can be done about that. I have no regrets however because I really enjoy what I do.
Thanks,
Clark
Quote from: 29810434 on November 09, 2014, 06:32:32 PM
Will you be doing any testing with 3 inch out of a Remington 870?
Yes. I've already done some and will do more. I plan to use an 11-87 strictly for reduced recoil but have found that I see similar results with 870s as well. They just kick a little more.
Thanks,
Clark
Some folks have asked about the makeup of the chokes that will be evaluated with WLB shells.
I asked each manufacturer to submit the choke that he thought worked best with the #6 shot WLB shells. Manufacturers could submit more than one exit diameter or thread type.
Since I have shotguns that use Rem-Choke, Win-Choke/Invector, Invector+, Benelli Mobil, Benelli Crio and Mossberg Accu-Mag chokes, they could submit chokes for any of these guns.
Two manufacturers make chokes specifically for WLB shells and they submitted chokes designed specifically for them.
Otherwise manufacturers may rely upon their experience or that of their customers. I am relying upon their judgement for their submissions.
Thanks,
Clark
Thank you for your work. Can't wait to see the outcome!!
Sounds like it's gonna be interesting.
It is a major project by any estimation. It will be as comprehensive as I know how to make it and hopefully it will be helpful to anyone who is looking to maximize the performance of their turkey gun.
Thanks,
Clark
Clark, That sounds like quite a project. I'm sure you are aware of and probably already own a lead sled. It has made patterning my turkey guns a lot less painful. One 25 lb bag of shot is what I use and 2 would be better. I respect you but in this case I don't envy you!! Good luck and I can't wait to read your results. SS
Quote from: Snoodsniper on November 27, 2014, 10:28:18 AM
Clark, That sounds like quite a project. I'm sure you are aware of and probably already own a lead sled. It has made patterning my turkey guns a lot less painful. One 25 lb bag of shot is what I use and 2 would be better. I respect you but in this case I don't envy you!! Good luck and I can't wait to read your results. SS
Yes, it is quite a project. A bit more than I had anticipated when I started thinking about it.
Over the years I've published
"Product Test" articles on a number of rests that reduce recoil including a couple that used hydraulics to allow the gun to move, prevent damage to it, and that had remote triggers. I used them to evaluate them as a product and they did work quite well. When we moved to South Carolina, I gave a number of those rests to friends and don't currently have any that absorb the recoil.
For whatever reason, I'm most comfortable just shooting off my right shoulder. I do use the EvoShield shooting system and that helps greatly but I still am affected by the torque.
It's my hope that the information that I gather will allow others to make an informed choice of what would seem to work best for them. It will be as comprehensive as I know how to make it.
Thanks,
Clark
Are Rhino and Indian Creek in the mix?
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on November 27, 2014, 07:14:12 PM
Are Rhino and Indian Creek in the mix?
Indian Creek chokes are but Rhino is not.
Thanks,
Clark
Thanks. I'm sure that many companies are willing to participate in something like this, while still others are simply not. I certainly wouldn't expect you to purchase extra chokes for this. I was just curious about a couple of the big names. I bet Indian Creek will make a good showing, but who knows what brand or model of choke will be the most consistent performer. This sounds like a lot of fun.
While this project is going to be tested as objectively as possible , one must bear in mind that even between two shotguns of the same make, model, and barrel length, results using the same shell can vary pretty dramatically.
Since various chokes , different length barrels, semi-auto / pump, etc. all present variables that can at best give suggested results for a particular gun/choke combo, this will be at least a very interesting report. Choke construction and constriction is a variable in and of itself and all are to present what they consider the best choke for a particular gun for this WLB shell in #6 shot.
It must be noted however that results as presented may be different, perhaps significantly different, for your particular gun using the same choke used by Clark during his testing.
It is my hypothesis that all combinations used will be capable of giving suitable results for the purpose of turkey hunting at ranges of 40 yards and under. It would be of great help to see patterns from the various guns as a reference but that may be too much for Clark to report.
Kudos to Winchester for this lead shell technology.
I am currently about 1/3 the way through this project. I ended up with 36 choke configurations.
I need at least 2 warm days with low wind to get the shooting portion of the evaluation completed.
Then, I'll evaluate all the targets, take pictures and record the results.
All of that will take some time but hopefully, I'll have the project completed before the end of the year.
Thanks,
Clark
I just want to say thanks for all your hard work and diligence.
Clark, just out of curiosity, have you ever tried or wondered the effects of a barrel de-resonator on a shotguns pattern? Harmonics surely play a roll in it all and iv always wondered if and how much it would help a pattern by adjusting or controlling them.
Very exited to see how this unfolds. You definitely have your work cut out for you.
Quote from: Bigspurs68 on December 17, 2014, 09:25:53 PM
Clark, just out of curiosity, have you ever tried or wondered the effects of a barrel de-resonator on a shotguns pattern? Harmonics surely play a roll in it all and iv always wondered if and how much it would help a pattern by adjusting or controlling them.
Here's a link to an article on that subject that I published in January of 2013 http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=580
I found it to be a fascinating subject.
Thanks,
Clark
Thank you Clark. Pretty neat.
Quote from: Bigspurs68 on December 18, 2014, 08:26:25 PM
Thank you Clark. Pretty neat.
You're welcome. That was another major project that took a lot of time but hopefully it's helpful.
Thanks,
Clark
Clark,
Hows it coming along so far. I can't wait to see the results. Thank you for all that you do! I am pretty new to the forum and already see that you do so much to help the people of Oldgobbler.
Thank you,
Aaron
Quote from: daymude7288 on December 28, 2014, 03:50:24 PM
Clark,
Hows it coming along so far. I can't wait to see the results. Thank you for all that you do! I am pretty new to the forum and already see that you do so much to help the people of Oldgobbler.
Thank you,
Aaron
Hey Aaron,
I appreciate your kind words. It's coming right along. I was out a good bit of the day yesterday shooting. Doris helped greatly by setting and retrieving targets. I will do a lot of the evaluations tomorrow.
As with most projects, it takes longer than I'd like and there's always a new wrinkle it seems but I should be able to finish it very soon. My goal has been before year-end, so I need to really get moving.
Thanks again,
Clark
Clark
I was just reading you moved to SC.Just retired here myself to Kinards Sc not to far from you.This is going to be a very helpful project when done.You do a great service to the shooting sports.Your willingness to help people become better shooters with your personal touch.Makes you a good man in my book.Tell Doris congrats on her win.Truly a campion .
Kevin
This will make for some good reading !!!! Thanks Clark
Very interested to see these results. Would like to see the same test with H13 #7s :z-guntootsmiley:
I really appreciate all the kind words from so many of you and I'll relate the congratulations to Doris. We have enjoyed our move to SC and enjoy each day here.
This project has taken on a life of its own with over 30 choke configurations being evaluated. That's a lot of 3" turkey loads downrange! The weather has not cooperated fully but we're very close to having the WLB portion of the shooting completed.
That means lots of targets, at least 104, to score and evaluate for quality, quantify and photograph and then write the narrative. There seems to always be some new wrinkle in the project but hopefully, it will be completed soon.
Thanks again,
Clark