Pattern opinions/suggestions

[762hunter]

I went and shot my 870 12ga this weekend.  On a bench, ranged to 40 yards.

This was shooting 3 1/2 Magblends out of a Sumtoy .658


154 in a 10 inch circle

Next was trying out the new Federal 3rd degree. 3in #6 shot, still out of the Sumtoy .658


82 in a 10 inch circle

What would you change?
Suggestions?

Not trying to get caught up in numbers game just want a good effective pattern for 50 yards and closer.

I just got this gun back from getting drilled and tapped and put a FFiii,  seems like last year I was getting a much better pattern when testing.





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[mightyjoeyoung]

Did you clean the bbl between shots?  Should still do better than that with the 3rd degrees.  The mag blends are beautifully even.  Great hnting pattern for sure!

[Dtrkyman]

Do a deep clean on your barrel, those mag blends do not have remarkable numbers but man that is a nice pattern, I would hunt that all day.

[762hunter]

I did not clean between shots

I will try doing a good deep cleaning and see if there is any improvements.

I did think that the coverage in the pattern was good, not really any holes to speak of


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[lowoctane]

Try a 3" load of LB's or Turkey Thugs. My 870 am prefers them.

[762hunter]

Here is my 20ga 870, 3in Fed HW #7, through a Sumtoy choke
140 in a 10 inch circle at 40 yds








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[lowoctane]

 
Works fer me!

[owlhoot]

The Magblends and the Sumtoy look good .
A real nice hunting pattern with great coverage.

[Philippe]

Try the longbearde in a 3.5 #6 or 5's in both the 2oz and 2.25oz versions.

[BINK McCARTY]

Good even pattern but I would think the #s would be higher,not that the pattern is bad by ANY means!!!! Maybe try 3" blends or LB #5 shot. Or...H-13 #6 or #7 shot.

[762hunter]

Thats kind of what I was thinking. Can't say it's bad or anything just remembered getting more hits in the 10 in years past.
Like I said I'm not trying to win a numbers contest.
Gonna try a good cleaning and go back out with some different shell options


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[Dr Juice]

The Magblends and the Sumtoy look good .
A real nice hunting pattern with great coverage.

I concur.

[Izzyjoe]

I would go with the mag blends, and give the 3rd degree the boot!

[BINK McCARTY]

Thats kind of what I was thinking. Can't say it's bad or anything just remembered getting more hits in the 10 in years past.
Like I said I'm not trying to win a numbers contest.
Gonna try a good cleaning and go back out with some different shell options


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Some guns actually shoot better with a slightly dirty bbl....like put a couple of trap loads in shoot em to foul the bbl. Also the blends responded best for me with a slightly tighter choke Final Strut .655 = 211 in 10"

[762hunter]

Cleaned the barrel and did a little more shooting today.

3 1/5 Magblends had 216
3 1/2 Longbeard #6 had 202
3 in Triplebeard had 110
3 1/2 Hevishot #6 had 109

All on a bench at 40 yards.

Think I'm gonna go with the Magblends and next time I shoot will be at a bird


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