What do you think of this pattern?

[lunghit]

This was with Apex 3" 1-5/8 oz number 8 shot. Choke is a Jebs .565.  40 has 170 hits in the 10. The tighter pattern is 20 yards. Again these are number 8's so there are 180 less pellets than Apex number 9's so take that into consideration. Thanks for looking.

[Curtdawg88]

Looks like a dead turkey to me


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[BandedSpur]

Good hunting pattern, although I would prefer 9s as they are more than enough with regard to penetration, and you would have a lot more pellets in the pattern. I consider 50% of the load in the 10" as excellent for a TSS hunting pattern. Your pattern is around 42%, so there is room for improvement. Having said that, you are looking at dead turkeys all day long at 40 and beyond.

[Jroddc]

Looks good what gun?

[lacire]

170 pellets inside a 10" at 40 yards dead bird.

[lunghit]

Thanks for the replies fellas. This is a Winchester SX3 and unfortunately I live in NY and we can't use 9's. I am definitely going to hunt with this combo with full confidence but might try a different choke or two in the future for the fun of it.

[troutfisher13111]

Looking like next year we will be able to use 9's here in NY


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[lunghit]

Looking like next year we will be able to use 9's here in NY


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That's great to hear! Where did you hear this?

[g8rvet]

That looks almost identical to my Fed HW #7 patterns in my Weatherby and it has never failed me on a bird.  I got 169 in the 10", nice and even just like yours.  That dog will hunt.

[mikejd]

Looking like next year we will be able to use 9's here in NY


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That's great to hear! Where did you hear this?

I am pretty sure this is on the table right now. I think its going to pass.

[lunghit]

I have a box of Apex 9's on the way and I'll test them through this choke for fun. If they become legal next year I'll start stocking up on them.

[mountainhunter1]

I think that pattern is just fine. That is a fairly even pattern and those eight are going to hit about like a number #2 lead (or very close to it) at forty yards. It won't take many of those eights to break a bird down. And I can remember the days when a man just dreamed about having 180 pellets in the ten at forty yards.

[lunghit]

I think that pattern is just fine. That is a fairly even pattern and those eight are going to hit about like a number #2 lead (or very close to it) at forty yards. It won't take many of those eights to break a bird down. And I can remember the days when a man just dreamed about having 180 pellets in the ten at forty yards.

Thanks. Yea this is a better pattern than my 12 gauges had and if we get to use 9's it should be even better. I might hit the pattern board with 9's on Friday just to see how it does and I'll post a pic. But I am happy with the results of these Apex 8's.

[lunghit]

Took another shot with the 8's and the Jebs this morning and got 202 hits in the 10 this time. Really good looking pattern.