A391 Xtrema 2

[batsonbe]

Went to shoot this afternoon after work. 64 degrees 16mph winds. Less than ideal, but I got these patterns. I shot long beards 3.5 2oz #6 through the following chokes with these results: in a .671 choke I had 240 in a 10.25 circle, I had 245 in a 10.25 circle out of a .655, and finally 265 in a 10.25 circle from a .660. I do not at this time have a .665 choke but Im considering trying one out. What do you guys think? I was shooting 275 in a 10" with hevi #7s at 40, but I now think I will strictly be shooting the long beards with these type results.

[batsonbe]

I can't figure out how to post pics or it keeps telling me that there is an error. Any help?

[learn2hide]

Error is your pic files are too big, try lowering resolution of your phone camera or saving them in a smaller format first.  Good numbers, the Hevi 7s will hit a little harder than lead 6 but the LBXR will certainly do the trick

[batsonbe]

Thank you for your response! I shoot nitros right now which are a little over 10 a pop. I still have some hevi-13 6s and 7s. Which they run around 6 a shot.  Hard to believe cheap $2 shells shot as well as they do

[bmmorris]

Am looking for a new choke tube as I've been using the Full that came with the gun. Who makes the choke tubes that you tested?

[batsonbe]

Hevishot .671, primos jellyhead gen 1 .660, rhino .660, jebs .655. Jellyhead has been the absolute best for 6 and 7 hevishot. .660s work great for 6 lead as well. Going to try a jebs .660. The primos is a nice dense pattern. The rhino is slightly more open with a better 20 inch circle pattern but not as well of 10 in comparison to the JH. I shoot a 26 inch barrel if that helps.

[Longshanks]

Shot my best patterns out of my Xtrema 2 with Hevi 13 Choke and Hevi 3.5 7's. The JH .660 shot great patterns with Hevi 13 3/2/6's, Nitro's blend, and Win HV 3" 6's. Great gun, good luck!

[batsonbe]

The hevi choke didnt work for my gun with the 7s unfortunately. In comparison to some peoples patterns mine with 7s were on the weak side. At 275 in a 10 at 40. Worked the best out of the JH though in comparison to the rhino and hevi-choke

[learn2hide]

There is nothing wrong with 275 in 10" for Hevi 7's....chasing 300 is a fool's errand in my opinion...I recognize that my opinion truly means little but if you have a couple hundred chances to kill him in 10" and some more in the 10-15" no gobbler is walking away from that.  Good luck to you in the woods!

[batsonbe]

You are correct sir he will never walk away from a 275 in a 10 at 40. I was just conparing my results with the 7s to my results with the long beards and other peoples as far as from a number standpoint.

[Longshanks]

You are correct sir he will never walk away from a 275 in a 10 at 40. I was just conparing my results with the 7s to my results with the long beards and other peoples as far as from a number standpoint.

The best patterns I shot with the Hevi 13 3.5 7's were in the 330's. That was with the shells that were out years ago. The new shells that I have shot turn in the 280's-310's.  I would go with 275. The older lot numbers is where the higher numbers were coming from. 275 is business in the turkey woods and hard to achieve with any other factory load. Not sure if you have deep cleaned your barrel on that X2 but that increased my patterns by 30-40 pellets.

[batsonbe]

I went with the long beard 6s. Last Sunday I killed one at roughly 33yrds and it looked like he had chicken pox on his head those 6's tore him up so bad! Then last Monday I had a Tom I had worked for about 1.5hrs cross at roughly 52 and dropped him. Skinned his head and neck and man those 6's did the trick. His head and neck was solid purple from clotting up. So impressed with these loads.

[learn2hide]

Congrats on the Birds...and taking the time to understand the capabilities of your gun and choke combo so you know the results before you pull the trigger.

[batsonbe]

Thank you learn2hide! I've been a firm believer in patterning and testing different choke load combos for years. Too many animals get wounded and suffer due to some hunters taking chances and risky shots. I drive too far and hunt too pressured of birds to miss. I take my turkey hunting super seriously.