Ok so it's a mossberg 835 24" barrel with Indian creek choke and bushnell trs-25 red dot shooting 3" LB #6. 1 3/4 oz shells. Been shooting this combo for a year. With great results.
Today I shot 15 rounds at different distances using a rest, and I don't have a flinch. Adjusted the dot at 3,6, and 9th shots I fooled with adjusting the dot up down or whatever but I never could get it right but it was close. Then the final 10-15 I just kept shooting without adjusting and it was BAD. 8 inches left then 8 inches right or 6 inches low. Some would have been total misses on a bird.
Here's the background. This year I am using a new barrel and added a pistol grip. The big thing i am most concerned about is that it fell down the stairs about 12 feet 2 weeks ago. No visible damage. I shot it after that about 6 times to be sure and it was more consistent then than it is now. Before I buy a new scope because I'm not sure what else to do, is there anything that could explain this inconsistent pattern? I checked everything is tightened down like it should be and the scope mounts are solid with locktite. Help anyone?
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Sounds to me like you have eliminated all the possibilities except for the scope. Time to get a new one.
X2 on the scope.
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Shoot it without the scope and see what the results are
It's the red dot. I know people like that model but had one go bad on me this year after two years of use
Is the barrel cap screwed on tight? Just about has to be that or the scope.
Quote from: Fullfan on February 25, 2017, 11:18:09 AM
Shoot it without the scope and see what the results are
x2 :icon_thumright:
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 25, 2017, 11:37:16 AM
Is the barrel cap screwed on tight? Just about has to be that or the scope.
Yeah I checked the cap first.
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Is the Indian Creek choke a ported choke, is this choke the only one you have ? I would try a different choke, one that's non - ported.... I've never heard much good about Indian Creek chokes.. What is the dia. of the Indian Creek... You can't say for sure it's the red dot.. I'm thinking choke?
1. Check the barrel nut and make sure it is hand tight then tighten it a couple of clicks with a pair of channel locs
2. Check the IC choke very carefully to see if there are any cracks or broken slots and it is snug in the new barrel
3. Make sure the IC choke is fitting properly in the new barrel with a good light
4. Clean and polish the new barrel and reshoot if you don't get good patterns then
4. Remove the scope and shoot it to see if POA/POI are fairly consistent from shot to shot
This should tell you what is going on
Quote from: bbcoach on February 25, 2017, 12:15:12 PM
1. Check the barrel nut and make sure it is hand tight then tighten it a couple of clicks with a pair of channel locs
2. Check the IC choke very carefully to see if there are any cracks or broken slots and it is snug in the new barrel
3. Make sure the IC choke is fitting properly in the new barrel with a good light
4. Clean and polish the new barrel and reshoot if you don't get good patterns then
4. Remove the scope and shoot it to see if POA/POI are fairly consistent from shot to shot
This should tell you what is going on
1. I tightened it 3 clicks with channel locks when I assembled it
2. Choke was snug, just checked and it's not cracked.
3. When you say "properly" what exactly do you mean?
4. I deep cleaned the barrel before it was ever fired or dropped down stairs.
5. The barrel doesn't have any sights. It's a used but "new to me" barrel but it's in great condition.
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Quote from: Greg Massey on February 25, 2017, 11:53:58 AM
Is the Indian Creek choke a ported choke, is this choke the only one you have ? I would try a different choke, one that's non - ported.... I've never heard much good about Indian Creek chokes.. What is the dia. of the Indian Creek... You can't say for sure it's the red dot.. I'm thinking choke?
Yes it's ported. .675 diameter. I've used it 5 years without an issue.
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Quote from: Gumby on February 25, 2017, 11:34:57 AM
It's the red dot. I know people like that model but had one go bad on me this year after two years of use
What did you replace it with?
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Sounds as if you have all the bases covered. I would suspect the red dot as well. Proper fit of the choke would be verifying that the choke when screwed into the barrel should mesh with the barrel with no gaps and that it does not bulge at the bottom. It should be a seamless fit.
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I pulled the choke out to check the threads....Saw this looking down the choke . Couldn't see it looking up the bore toward the chamber. It's like "creosote". Very crunchy. I wonder if this is my culprit? That would make sense. Should I soak it in hoppes?
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I'd clean it up then shoot a couple rounds and see. If that don't work pull the sight and see how it shoots without it. I could be wrong,but think when it's shooting all over the place it's still your sight. All you can do is rule problems out step by step until you find your issue..
That could be the culprit. It could be dragging or pushing on the wad as it exits the barrel. Pull the choke, give it a good cleaning, I use break cleaner on mine. Put an improved cylinder choke in and deep clean the barrel again. Remove the improved choke and clean the threads real well. Reinstall the Indian Creek back in and shoot her again. Keep us posted.
I have a pistol grip on my 835 and had this same problem last year. I thought all the same things you have mentioned. Well after close examination I noticed my stock was just a little loose barely noticeable. Tightened it up and problems went away. I'd check the stock.
Hope you figure it out soon.
Thanks to all for the help. I'll get on this
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Is it throwing a good pattern all over the place or a poor pattern? I wonder if that's not just a little resin or plastic off a wad. An flaw in the barrel or choke would most likely wreck the pattern. If it is throwing a tight pattern, something is loose, bent, or the scope died.
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Quote from: MickT on February 25, 2017, 06:35:11 PM
Is it throwing a good pattern all over the place or a poor pattern? I wonder if that's not just a little resin or plastic off a wad. An flaw in the barrel or choke would most likely wreck the pattern. If it is throwing a tight pattern, something is loose, bent, or the scope died.
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That's a good point. The pattern was pretty good. 200+ in 10 at 40 just not centered.
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Quote from: GobbleNut on February 25, 2017, 10:32:00 AM
Sounds to me like you have eliminated all the possibilities except for the scope. Time to get a new one.
This^^^^^^^
I figured this all out. The fowled choke was part of it but also the stick bolt washer was bent convex so I replaced it with 3 heavy washers. so when I got the choke spotless as well as the stock tight. It shot consistent again. Thanks for all advice
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Good to read.
Thanks for the follow up!
God Bless,
David B.
Glad you got it .
Two things messed up can really mess with a guy sometimes???
Hey what was that junk by the choke anyway? You been shooting Winchester long beards ?
Quote from: owlhoot on March 04, 2017, 12:19:08 PM
Hey what was that junk by the choke anyway? You been shooting Winchester long beards ?
I think it was plastic. Cheap bird shot and longbeard.
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Right On, on cracking the case. And I'm glad it wasn't your Trs-25. I just put one on my 20. :blob10: