benelli m2 and undertaker choke

[steinea286]

I am new to the site and have been really trying to read up on patterns. I have a M2 and purchased an undertaker choke for the gun. I purchased the undertaker because I had great luck with it in my Beretta, but the beretta began having trigger issues. I shot a gobbler on opening day here in NY last year at 20 yards and on day 2, had a gobbler come in and hung up at 40. I took the shot feeling confident and rolled him, only to have him get away. Has anyone had any decent luck with this combination? I was shooting Winchester Double XX (usually shoot supremes) and don't know if that could have been the problem. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[allaboutshooting]

Welcome to OG. We're glad you're here. You have a fine gun that is very reliable and should serve you well in the turkey woods.

I'd recommend that you take your gun/choke combination and some shells to the range and see how it patterns. It may work just fine. You might want to start at 25 yards or so and then go out to 40, just to see the difference.

I'd also recommend that you consider 3" Hevi-13 shells with #6 shot. You could pick up a box of those shells to compare with what you're currently shooting and see if the difference is worth the price.

Lastly, what I look for in patterns is both density and evenness, not just numbers. I like patterns that don't have large gaps or holes. By large, I mean few that are 2" or more and not very many of them.

If you can put your fist in a hole, it's just too large, regardless of the numbers in a given circle. Most of us use 10" as a guideline but I also like to see a halo pattern out to maybe 18".

Spending a little time at the range, firing several shells will tell the story.

Thanks,
Clark

[steinea286]

Thanks Clark for the information. I am going to start with buying different loads and shooting them through the same choke tube. If things pan out, thats great. If not, I may have to get a new choke tube to try 

[d.winsor]

I have shot the Winchester Supreme High Velocity shells since 1992, have never found a better shell, I have a nice stockpile.  The Double X that they replaced them with are not the same shell, the double x shell is red and the Supreme HV is Black. I would also bet the components have been changed.  I would say your pattern was off is how the bird got away.  I am looking forward to patterning the Long Beard XR shell, from everything I have heard and seen on this forum they will be better.  You might want to try some of them.  I don't know anything about an M2, you might check and see what choke will work with the size shot you pick to pattern.  I normally use a .665 and #5 shot.  My SX3 came with a factory extended .655 so I will give that a try this year when I patter it.  I am new to the site also, glad to have you here.

[steinea286]

Yea, I figured the double xx would likely be the same shell and I don't think thats the case. Have not seen the supremes in the last couple years but looking forward to shooting the Longbear XR shells. First heard about them at the harrisburg eastern outdoor show!

[scdxt]

Yea, I figured the double xx would likely be the same shell and I don't think thats the case. Have not seen the supremes in the last couple years but looking forward to shooting the Longbear XR shells. First heard about them at the harrisburg eastern outdoor show!

The winchester double x High velocity is the same shell as the supreme high velocity just new box. These are black hulls.

[donjuan]

I use a Benelli M2 and have nice patterns with an Undertaker using Remington Nitro Turkey 5s and Federal FCW 5s.  Both give usable pattern at 20 yards and get about 120 at 40, though I try not to shoot that far. However, it does not like any Winchesters one bit.  Could never get a usable pattern with that combo.  Like the above posters said, put it on some paper