835 - Longbeard XR 5 vs. 6 vs. 3 vs. 3 1/2---Carlson LBXR Choke

[Johnhunter21]

Im sure this has been answered plenty in the past but Im not having any luck finding opinions with my same setup. I have a old school 835 with the 24 " ported barrel and I am using the Carlson long beard XR .683 choke. I have been on the TSS train for the past few years wanting to try out the longbeard XR shells. I am just curious about other peoples experience with this same setup using #5 vs #6 and 3" vs 3 1/2". I was always shooting 3 1/2" when I was younger but I understand having too much is possible to blow a pattern. Thanks

[diyj98]

I never did in depth testing, but I generally got fuller patterns from the 3 1/2" but the only way you'll know for sure with your gun is to buy a box and do shoot some patterns.  You may very well find out your gun does just as well if not better with the 3".

[bbcoach]

John, I just saw this and will try to shed some light.  I have been a 835 .670 pure gold choke, 3 1/2" Hevi 7's guy since 2009 (300 plus).  These guns Love Hevi 6's and 7's and LB 6's with a choke around .675.  Clark Bush did extensive research with this ammo and .670 Pure Gold, .675 IC, .670 SSX and .676 Stardot/Colonial chokes when Hevi and LB's first came out.  Most LB 6's were putting up numbers around 250 to 280 then.  .683 is slightly more open choke so..  Type in Clark Bush or Allaboutshooting and you should come up with TONS of info from his early shooting experiments with LB's and chokes.  Great guy with tons of information on this subject but he has since passed away.  Hope this helps.