I've been trying since last season to open my HTL patterns up a bit. Before yall think I've bumped my head, yeah, I meant to say open. Two years ago I shot at 3 turkeys and missed ALL 3 (all 30 yds or so). I got all caught up in the "high pellet count" competition and it cost me. So I decided first to get rid of the Tru Glo rifle-type sights (my biggest problem I think) and add a Burris Speed Bead (so far so good..only shot at 1 last season but did kill him). Secondly, I decided it was time to open my pattern up a bit since the majority of my shots are <30 but at the same time I wanted to still produce a killing pattern at 40-45 since the possibility is still there. So try as I might, I just couldn't find a lead pattern that truly satisfied me, and trust me I tried a BUNCH of different combos. So yesterday after exhausting just about every lead shell/choke combo possible I decided to shoot a Hevi-13 3.5"-2.25 oz.-#6 through a Rem Super Full Hevi Shot choke (.675). What I got in #'s is not gonna wow anyone but I was finally found what I consider to be my ideal pattern. It's not as tight as I was shooting before (JH .665 that would put 200's with 6's and low 300's with 7's) but is ideal for the woods/swamps that I typically hunt.
Here's my results:
Remington 870 SM 23" bbl cleaned and polished
Hevi 13 - 3.5"-2.25 oz.-#6 (LOT# 300184) @ 40 yds
* 172 in 10" - 47 Upper Right, 48 Upper Left, 38 Lower Left, 39 Lower Right
* 370 in 20" - 106 Upper Right, 106 Upper Left, 76 Lower Left, 82 Lower Right
Not record breaking by any means but should be plenty deadly and give me a little wiggle room at shorter distances...
