longbeard xr consistency

[DirtNap647]

ive been shooting the longbeards and they throw some great patterns but I get a lot of variance in my patterns one is great next is little open anyone else notice this or is my gun acting up

[allaboutshooting]

ive been shooting the longbeards and they throw some great patterns but I get a lot of variance in my patterns one is great next is little open anyone else notice this or is my gun acting up

A lot depends upon the choke and the shell, in my experience. Most "complaints" are with close shots, 20-25 yards, that are too tight. We've developed solutions for that, as time and experience have taken place but consistency, at a given distance, has not really been an issue.

Thanks,
Clark

[Sealbilly]

I have seen a little variation if it's not me pulling.  The first few shots shot high and right then I had one dead on then another high but dead center and a few more high.  Yesterday I shot it one last time and it was the strangest pattern i ever shot.  The pattern at 40 yards was about 20" tall and 11 inches wide, the center was dead on point of aim but the shot was strung up and down vertically!  Crazy

[wvmntnhick]

I have seen a little variation if it's not me pulling.  The first few shots shot high and right then I had one dead on then another high but dead center and a few more high.  Yesterday I shot it one last time and it was the strangest pattern i ever shot.  The pattern at 40 yards was about 20" tall and 11 inches wide, the center was dead on point of aim but the shot was strung up and down vertically!  Crazy

Me thinks someone needs to try a different choke.

[Sealbilly]

Yeah me thinks too.  Got one on the way. 

[allaboutshooting]

I have seen a little variation if it's not me pulling.  The first few shots shot high and right then I had one dead on then another high but dead center and a few more high.  Yesterday I shot it one last time and it was the strangest pattern i ever shot.  The pattern at 40 yards was about 20" tall and 11 inches wide, the center was dead on point of aim but the shot was strung up and down vertically!  Crazy

I'd be very interested to know the brand and model of gun you're shooting. What you are describing sounds very much like a barrel that is a bit loose in the receiver and scattering the shot.

Thanks,
Clark

[Ihuntoldschool]

Isn't it funny how all the choke, barrel, gun, vertical shaped patterns only occur with this one particular shell?  Oh well I am sure it is just a coincidence.

[owlhoot]

Isn't it funny how all the choke, barrel, gun, vertical shaped patterns only occur with this one particular shell?  Oh well I am sure it is just a coincidence.

Ya it must be.

[Tennessee Lead]

I notice the variations myself.
Some will be a great tight even pattern then you'll get some that are big open patterns.

[Sealbilly]

Allaboutshooting,  my gun is a Benelli M1 with a 24" barrel and a .655 terror choke that sure cycle made a few years ago. 

[allaboutshooting]

Allaboutshooting,  my gun is a Benelli M1 with a 24" barrel and a .655 terror choke that sure cycle made a few years ago.

Thank you for the information.

Changing points of impact can be indicative of a change in sight alignment between the receiver and the barrel, in the case of receiver mounted sights or of a somewhat loose barrel to receiver fit.

Your last pattern was quite unusual, as you know.

Many times when I see such an odd pattern, it comes from a barrel that is not secure in the receiver. That can cause "scattering" of the shot charge. You may want to check the torque on the magazine cap, just to be sure.

The other "missing link" is of course how your shotgun performs with other shotshells and your choke. If you are seeing the same variations, left, right, high, low, etc. with other shells, you may want to check fit and then the choke.

I hope that helps some.

Thanks,
Clark

[Sealbilly]

Clark, thanks for your thoughts I appreciate it.   I'm positive it's not in the reciever/barrel connection.  I also don't use any type of sight that mounts to the receiver.  I also patterned a SSX and while it was fairly consistent it didn't shoot as well as the .655 terror choke.  I'm sure it was over choked.

I should have the SSX back from Mike Orlen any day now and I will pattern it again and post some pics of the choke after it has been opened up to .655.  Hopefully it will do good.  I really don't want to have to spend 100 bucks on another choke and have to pay 35 bucks or more for 5 shell to get this thing shooting really good.

Sorry if I high jacked this thread.

[rkm456]

Isn't it funny how all the choke, barrel, gun, vertical shaped patterns only occur with this one particular shell?  Oh well I am sure it is just a coincidence.

I haven't been around much in the last little while. Is there a common denominator of the shells? I patterned my SBE II on the weekend with LB's and had really nice and consistent patterns.

I was also just using an inexpensive Strut Undertaker XT choke for anyone who may be wondering.