20ga fun at the range!

[Izzyjoe]

First of I'm new to the site, and thanks for allowing me to be here.  I'm also new to patterning shotguns, this was my 2nd time doing it. But I did find a good book on shotguning, at the local library, the name of the author escapes me, but it was a 70's print chocked full of info. By the way I've found several good books on turkey hunting there also to educate my empty mind. But anyway yesterday I took out my Rem. 20ga. express 26" barrel using the only turkey choke I have for it, a primos titewad .570.  I had short amount time to get it done so I did all my shots at a stepped off 40yds. I tried every load that I had and was unimpressed with all but one, the hevi- 13 #7's surprised me, I counted 114 hits in a 10" circle the rest of the loads where not even half of that. I only 4 left so that what I'll use this season, the pattern was about 4" low but I'm sure it will work. I would like to try a different choke, but don't really know what to use, I see a lot of folks here rave about Sumtoy, but I'm on very tight budget and can't afford a whole lot, I'm doing good to have what I have! The pattern with the titewad was not real even kinda spread out side to side, but still better than rest. I just placed a 10" pie plate over the core of the pattern and traced around it, I hope I've done this right, just looking for some tips.

[FullChoke]

Izzyjoe,

Before you buy another choke, may I suggest that you do a thorough deep cleaning on your barrel? I have the same shotgun and was stunned to see how much garbage comes out of a "clean" barrel, particularly those later Remingtons. Here's the link describing the procedure, don't cut any corners.

http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=282

FC

[Izzyjoe]

I'm sorry I forgot to add that,when I first found this site that was one thing I did to my 1100, and the 870 20ga. I didn't do it exactly as shown! I didnt use kroil oil, but I used PB blaster, and i only had jb bore cleaner. But after a 100 passes it looks great. And when I get time I'll do it again. It seemed to remove the machining marks, but when they stamped my barrel they must have used a 12lb. Hammer, cause I can still see them!

[Tail Feathers]

If it's a good, evenly spaced pattern you should kill birds with that.
If the budget won't permit some sights to get point of aim and point of impact together, just aim at the eyeball.  That should accommodate the 4" low POI.
But add some sights when you can.  It's sometimes hard to remember  to aim differently when he's standing there at 25 yards and blows your cap off with a thundering gobble!

[Izzyjoe]

I've looked at some different sights that go over the rib, maybe just the ones I seen, but they look kinda flimsy and cheap. The pattern with 7's was not real even, kinda uneven, but I maybe getting picky with it.