835 - SSX or IC?

[kdsberman]

I'm looking to try some Hevi 7's this spring and want to get either a TruGlo SSX or an IC.  Any suggestions on which I should go with?  I know the SSX is a bit cheaper, but that won't necessarily be the deciding factor.  I'm sure I can't go wrong with either.  Currently using a jellyhead but I'm thinking I can get a better pattern with one of those two than I can with my jellyhead. 

Thanks fellas


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[davisd9]

IC


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[bbcoach]

I'm sure Clark (allaboutshooting) will respond to this post since he has done extensive research on this very subject.  With the 835 or 935, most chokes in the .670 to .676 range will give you Excellent results with Hevi 7's.  Some of these chokes are the IC, SSX, Stardot and Pure Gold.  I started with the IC in my 835 but settled on the Pure Gold.  Check out Clark's website at allaboutshooting.com for some of his recommendations.  Good Luck with your choice.

[mikejd]

Pure gold.

And I have all that you mentioned and they do not even compare.

[allaboutshooting]

I'm looking to try some Hevi 7's this spring and want to get either a TruGlo SSX or an IC.  Any suggestions on which I should go with?  I know the SSX is a bit cheaper, but that won't necessarily be the deciding factor.  I'm sure I can't go wrong with either.  Currently using a jellyhead but I'm thinking I can get a better pattern with one of those two than I can with my jellyhead. 

Thanks fellas


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In 2015 I evaluated 32 different chokes, through 7 different shotguns for an article in "Turkey Country" magazine. That evaluation was with 3" WLB shells with 1 3/4 oz of #6 shot. I shot each choke 3 times, under monitored conditions that were as close to "normal" turkey hunting temperatures in the spring and fall for many U.S. hunters. I repeated that same process for an Internet article using 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz of #6 shot. Both of those articles are available for review.

Later in the year, I evaluated 3" WLB shells with 1 7/8 oz of #6 shot through Rem-Choke, Win-Choke, Invector+ and 835 choked guns, using a different battery of chokes. I also evaluated the 835/935 bores using 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of #7 shot and 2 oz. of Magnum Blend (#4, #5 #7 shot) for my patterning service.

I did not evaluate every choke tube with the 835/935 platform but I did evaluate the JEBs, X-Factor, SSX and Hevi-13 chokes with all of those shells. The really outstanding choke was the Hevi-13. It did best will all of them, turning in excellent numbers but more importantly, it had no 2" or larger gaps in any of the patterns. The 2nd best was the SSX with no 2" or larger gaps in any of its patterns.

Many chokes will do well with the 835 as has been stated. It's a great platform for a turkey gun, especially if you have a 26" or longer barrel but even the short ones will throw excellent patterns when properly choked.

I do have one suggestion for you. Prior to investing in any new choke, I would "deep clean" the bore http://allaboutshooting.com/article_info.php?articles_id=282 and give your Jellyhead  another try. I'd start out clean, shoot at least 3 shells without cleaning in between shots and see how your patterns look.

If you're still not satisfied, I'd recommend you give either the Hevi-13 or SSX a try.

Thanks,
Clark

[kdsberman]

Thanks a lot guys.

Clark - when I patterned my 835/Jellyhead last year I deep cleaned prior to shooting.  During shooting I swabbed between every shot.  I did get great numbers considering the shell I was using, which was a Nitro H517 4x5x7 Hevi and got 283 pellets in a 10".  Plenty enough to kill a turkey and actually has never missed since I started using it.  I just figured the SSX or IC with a tighter constriction would be better for the 7's as the more open constriction of the Jellyhead was good for the big 2 7/16 oz payload of the nitro.  I will definitely take a look into the Hevi 13 choke though.

Thank you!


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[chatterbox]

SSX works very well in my 835.

[stewart]

Clark,
Which edition of Turkey Country magazine may we find your article? Do you mean to say that the Hevi 13 choke performed well with all the bore sizes (.725-.775) with the new Win lead?

[allaboutshooting]

Clark,
Which edition of Turkey Country magazine may we find your article? Do you mean to say that the Hevi 13 choke performed well with all the bore sizes (.725-.775) with the new Win lead?

Hey Stewart,

That article was in the March/April issue of "Turkey Country" magazine. The Hevi-13 choke turned in the best pattern with no 2" gaps and the SSX was second, again with no 2" gaps in the 835 using the WLB shells with 1 3/4 oz of #6 shot.

Later, I performed the same evaluation with 3" Hevi-13 shells with 2 oz. of #6 shot and those 2 chokes again turned in the best performances and again without any 2" gaps in the patterns.

Not every choke was shot with every gun. It was 32 chokes through 7 different guns. It would, at some point, be interesting to shoot every choke through every gun but that' s a project for another day and maybe for another shoulder.

Thanks,
Clark