Setting Up T/C Pro Hunter - 12ga / 3" (Best Pattern for Fed #9's)

[JGleason]

Wife gave me a 12ga/3" Pro Hunter for Christmas.  Not something I was particularly wanting as I already have a dedicated turkey gun (870 3 1/2"), but I am definitely not against having a different/backup gun.  It definitely will be handy to carry and I really like the new Leupold I have put on it.

I shoot Federal TSS #9's 3 1/2's in my 870, and would like to shoot 3" in the same shell in this T/C.

My question is, what all chokes would you suggest trying other than the factory extra full that the barrel came with?  I am wanting to try a few with the #9's but obviously am looking for suggestions from someone else with a similar setup.

Thanks in advance.

[Candyman]

I have a 12 ga encore and shoot handloads of TSS 9's. I went with a flush full choke. Really good pattern for my gun out to 35-40 yards. I shot a few shells with the IC .660 and the patterns were way too tight for what I want.

[Bigeclipse]

Wife gave me a 12ga/3" Pro Hunter for Christmas.  Not something I was particularly wanting as I already have a dedicated turkey gun (870 3 1/2"), but I am definitely not against having a different/backup gun.  It definitely will be handy to carry and I really like the new Leupold I have put on it.

I shoot Federal TSS #9's 3 1/2's in my 870, and would like to shoot 3" in the same shell in this T/C.

My question is, what all chokes would you suggest trying other than the factory extra full that the barrel came with?  I am wanting to try a few with the #9's but obviously am looking for suggestions from someone else with a similar setup.

Thanks in advance.

first advice is stop shooting TSS #9 3.5s...such a waste in my honest opinion unless you are shooting 70+ yards which is definitely not advocated here. I mean how many hits do you really need? 3.5 9s TSS should be giving you like 350+ hits at 40 yards which is way overkill...actually probably damaging meat at that point. TSS was developed for use in 2 3/4 12 gauge (maybe 3inch shells) or better yet 20 gauge shot guns. I get 150 hits at 50 yards with my 20gauge and 200 with my 12 gauge in 2 3/4. I tried some 3in shells and was getting almost 275 at 50 yards. Just saying...you are just throwing money away on those 3.5s It is all marketing hype...unless you are intending on shooting extreme distances. Mine are hand loads that I make and tested again at pretty far distance of 50 yards (not advocated here as well). I forget what I was getting at 40 yards but it was starting to be too much with the 3inch shells so I stopped using those and went to 2 3/4 in my 12...but mainly use a 20gauge now.

[JGleason]

Eclipse that is a great answer to a question nobody asked...

I'm more than happy with the setup on my 870 shooting 3.5's, this is concerning a 3" TC setup.

[Bigeclipse]

Eclipse that is a great answer to a question nobody asked...

I'm more than happy with the setup on my 870 shooting 3.5's, this is concerning a 3" TC setup.

My point was that 3in TSS in your new gun will be plenty. Anymore and you are ruining turkey meat, wasting money, or shooting way too far on birds. Just saying...

[JGleason]

Well that's good because T/C doesn't offer a 3.5" chamber in their barrels anymore (if they ever did).

12ga / 3" / Fed TSS #9's.

I am likely going to try one of SumToy's chokes and an IC as of right now.

[1iagobblergetter]

Post up some patterns when you get it dialed in. Out of all the turkey guns I have I seem to grab my Encore/ topped with a Nikon all the time.

[Greg Massey]

Trade the gun for 20 gauge and you will be, lot happier , shooting it with TSS.....and you can thank me later ...

[RUN-N-GUN]

I'm not sure about the T/C but the federals were very consistent out of my 870 no matter what choke was in it. I think the feds are easy to find a choke for. Btw if the wife gave it to you as a gift you have an awesome wife!


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[JGleason]

Below are the results from testing out (2) separate chokes with same ammunition.