I've been on here and asked the same thing before but since making the switch from 3.5in #6 to 3in #5 shells my confidence is lacking on my patterns.
With a Remington 11-87 3in, 25in barrel, jellyhead maximum .660, and longbeard shells
Shooting 3in #5's out of my set up I'm getting 135-145 consistent in the 10 at a lazered 41. I do 41 to know its at least 40.
At around 20 yards it's a tight pattern but not where you would miss.
20 yards
If I were you, I would switch back to that 3.5 inch #6 Longbeard. Looks like to me you are giving up a lot of pattern density there with those 5's.
Turkey buster, I overlooked the 3inch part, have you tried 3 inch 6's?
I have 7 full boxes of the 5's so I haven't bought anything else to try. I might just do that
I don't see a problem at all. You are over 100/10 at 40. That will do the trick every time without any worries.
Snapper I know the 100/10 rule and I'm happy with that but to see 230-240 and then see 130-140 is just a mental thing. It takes what 4-5 shots in the vitals to kill one?
Would I benifit going to a .655 choke
Did you try 3" #6's?
No I haven't because I have 7 boxes of the 3in 5's and want to shoot them
Did you buy 7 boxes of them without trying a few #5's first? If you were shooting 3.5" #6's I would have looked at 3" #6's before #5's.
Either way your #5 pattern is going to knock ones willy in his watch pocket @ 40yds.
I wanted the heavier shot of the 5's and less recoil than 3.5's. I know the numbers are fine but I feel like I could get 170's with the right choke. Maybe?
The 3" LB 5's I have shot out of a number of set ups have given me a similar problem. Lack of confidence in them due to golf ball/ 2 golf ball size gaps all over the pattern at 40. Even shooting 160's in a 10 @ 40. Mis-shaped patterns/ inconsistent patterns made me stick with the LB 6's. I can turn consistent patterns at 20,30,40 that are round and have no golf ball sizes wholes in the pattern. (214 in a 10 @ 40)
I have two boxes of LB 3" 5's I will sell you guys if y'all are shooting the 5's.
My 870 averaged 152, I think, with 3" #5's and 184 with 3" #6's, I bought 5 boxes of 6's. If I ever run out of hevi13 #7's I'll use those.
I've seen some good #5 patterns, mine just wouldn't do it. The 5 patterns were splotchy and open in spots while the 6's were very even through the 20" circle.
Long beard XR 3" #6 - Kicks .660
184 - 10"
169 - 20"
Total in a 20" circle - 353
Thinking I shoudlve went with 6's :/ I don't get huge gaps in the pattern but up close it is Oblonged looking which is why at 40 I guess the numbers are lower than I want. I'm gonna try a .665 choke and see what happens. Too many 5's in the cabinet to quit on them.
With a 25 inch barrel I would about try opening it up first, maybe a .670" with the #5's
My 3" 1187 with that same barrel does well with an IC .665 with the 3" 5s.
Thanks guys. I'm gonna try a .665 and see. Going online shopping now. Lol
I have had good luck with the Hevi-choke .662 in a 26" 870. 175 in 10" 244 in 20" even pattern with 3" 5 shot.
65 degrees 40 yards lazered.
Only shot 3 rnds though in this choke.
That's flat out shooting! The best I got with #5 with an 870 was 151 in 10", and a good even pattern. So I went bought 3 boxes, that should last a day or two!
After careful thinking and studying I think I'm putting too much thought into this 10in circle stuff. I look at all my pattern pics and one thing stands out...dead turkey. I am gonna tinker with my sights and make sure my poi/poa are the same as a careful study has me thinking I'm shooting a tad low. I'm also gonna do what I always have done and let him come close because I seldom even consider shooting at 40 and most set ups he's inside that before I shoot anyway. I will try a .665 choke just to see, but at this point I've decided them longbeard 5's are gonna be my go to shell and I'm not changing it.