Mossberg , Sumtoy and Federal

[possum#1]

Here is the pattern the Mossberg 20" barrel, Sumtoy choke and Federal #7 .

[possum#1]

I was expecting better out of this combo. I cleaned the barrel by running a brush through it several times and then patching until clean. I did not do anything to the choke other than wipe it off. I shot from a rest at 42 yards ( where my backstop was) checked with range finder. What are your thoughts on what I should do next to improve the pattern?

Thanks

[mikejd]

How many hits.

[possum#1]

There is 111 in a 9 3/4" circle.

[surehuntsalot]

I would try some more chokes myself

[SumToy]

I would get bigger target.  Then clean all the oil out the barrel and choke. (choke is shipped with some oil on it and sometimes mess with pattern.  Oil in barrel have bigger affect.)   Now may try different lot of shells.  Was thinking we had got over that but it showed back up this year in few cases. 

Let me know how that works then we go from that point. 

[Izzyjoe]

You might want to try at 40yds on the dot, I know 2 yds don't sound like much, but it can make small difference. And like has been stated clean all the oils out of the barrel, and choke with brake parts cleaner.

[krink1cb]

I also have a mossberg with a sumtoy choke. When I got the choke and cleaned the oil out of it, I shot a box of target loads through it. I cleaned the barrel and choke then ran some denatured alcohol patches thru both to get out all the oil and solvent. My pattern is very even and pretty tight. I didn't count numbers but it patterned better then any other choke I tried. And the other chokes I tried were carlsons .575, truglo SSX and Trulock Heavyweight 7 chokes. But each gun is different. I'd recommend cleaning all the oil and solvent out with denatured alcohol that seemed to really help my patterns. I can tell the difference without using it.

[possum#1]

I am going to do some more testing when I get time and the weather permits. I picked up another gun so I am going to try it in it also. I will post my results.