Standard factory chokes?
I have a 20ga 870 and a 12ga Mossberg 535. My 20yard patterns are SUPER tight with both guns. 870 20ga has an Indian Creek 570 in it and is still extremely tight at 20, and the 12ga 535 has a Carlson's 660 in it and is also super tight at 20.
I'm more than happy to sacrifice distance to get a more forgiving pattern from 15-35 yards. Figured I'd try the factory chokes, but wasn't sure if they were rated for TSS.
I also have a remington super full and Trulock 585 for the 20ga, but all of them don't seem to really change much at 20yards.
This is the IC .570 at 20yds. ZERO room for error! That's off of a lead sled too, and scares me with the lack of wiggle room.
(https://i.ibb.co/gtCZd6F/Remington.png)
Very little wiggle room with TSS at 20 yards thru most chokes. If I know I am going to be up close and personal, I switch to mag blends or Longbeards.
I shoot an O/U to deal with that problem, but to answer your question, yes you can certainly shoot TSS through your factory chokes.
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 28, 2021, 07:59:03 AM
I shoot an O/U to deal with that problem, but to answer your question, yes you can certainly shoot TSS through your factory chokes.
X2. Over under.
Or get a more open choke
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Quote from: BandedSpur on April 28, 2021, 07:59:03 AM
I shoot an O/U to deal with that problem, but to answer your question, yes you can certainly shoot TSS through your factory chokes.
Ok thanks, just checking since I thought most factory full say no steel
Quote from: twyatt on April 28, 2021, 09:58:37 AM
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 28, 2021, 07:59:03 AM
I shoot an O/U to deal with that problem, but to answer your question, yes you can certainly shoot TSS through your factory chokes.
Ok thanks, just checking since I thought most factory full say no steel
Check with Sumtoy. He can probably do you a .590 or close? that should be close to factory full on a 20ga
But it's probably not going to open up too much more unless you use a load with a different wad.
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Here's an update since I just got back from shooting. I switched out my IC .570 for a Trulock .585 and tried a few shells. I happened to stop by the local gun store to browse on my way to the range, and to see what they had in the way of turkey shells. The ONLY thing they had was the Rob Roberts Custom TSS for $119 for 10. I cringed when the lady told me the price, but then said she had a pack of 10 in a ziplock bag where the box had been damaged but the shells were fine for 50% off, so I grabbed them. I can live with $6 per shell.
Here's the 20 yard pictures with the shells I had and the Trulock 585 and my 870 20ga.
Longbeard 20ga 6's. Don't ask me what happened here, it did the same thing 3 times in 3 different chokes. I'm assuming the epoxy didn't break or the wad didn't open or something.
(https://i.ibb.co/fdVBfzx/Longbeard.png)
Apex 9's & Trulock 585
(https://i.ibb.co/nmY0XLZ/Apex.png)
Rob Roberts Custom Shop 9's and Trulock 585
(https://i.ibb.co/x5wxvvy/Rob-Roberts.png)
Rob Roberts Custom Shop 9's and Trulock 585 at 34 yards.
(https://i.ibb.co/MgK6KkW/Roberts-34.png)
I think I can live with the Rob Roberts shells and the Trulock 585. They're a tiny bit better than the Indian Creek/Apex combo I was using in the original picture posted. A 590 or 595 may be a little bit better option for exactly what I want, but I think I can live with this combo for now. I don't know if this helps anyone or not, just figured I'd share today's findings.
Quote from: twyatt on April 28, 2021, 09:58:37 AM
Quote from: BandedSpur on April 28, 2021, 07:59:03 AM
I shoot an O/U to deal with that problem, but to answer your question, yes you can certainly shoot TSS through your factory chokes.
Ok thanks, just checking since I thought most factory full say no steel
The "no steel" or "lead shot only" warning primarily pertains to the shooting of large diameter steel shot for waterfowl. The large steel (BB, BBBs, etc.) can "bridge" as they try to exit the choke and can cause damage. Yes, TSS is harder than steel, but the very small sizes used for turkeys flow easily through the choke, do not bridge, and will not damage the choke (although there is always the chance of light scratches that are cosmetic in nature when shooting any HTL shot material).
Also, that pic you posted of the LB disaster is why I will never shoot them.
I've heard instances of them doing that, but I shot them through 3 different chokes and they all did that. Indian Creek 570, TruLock 585, and just the factory full. Add me to the list of those that will never shoot them again too.
Quote from: BandedSpur on May 01, 2021, 07:57:51 AM
Also, that pic you posted of the LB disaster is why I will never shoot them.
But the Facebook experts love longbeards.
Quote from: 2eagles on May 01, 2021, 08:40:24 PM
Quote from: BandedSpur on May 01, 2021, 07:57:51 AM
Also, that pic you posted of the LB disaster is why I will never shoot them.
But the Facebook experts love longbeards.
They can have mine. :)