Shotgun choke help needed

[gregory1]

I am currently shooting a mossberg 835 with an ulti full choke, I am considering going to a modified or an improved cylinder. Which will give me a tighter pattern. I am looking for a descent pattern with some forgiveness. Thanks

[Thunderflight]

Wouldnt a modified or improved cylinder widen your pattern?

TF

[gregory1]

I am looking for a wider pattern that will still give me a good pattern in the kill zone

[CatDaddy]

what are you shooting with this gun? Animals, clays, PETA freaks? The full choke will give you the tightest pattern of the three, next would be the modified and finally the Improved cylinder would the the widest and less dense pattern.



just to make things clear I am NOT suggesting you shoot a "PETA freak". It was a joke.

[Buckmaster]

I have a Mossberg 835 Ultra Mag and I have the following chokes.

Improved
Modified
Full
Full for steel shot
Extra Full
Turkey Choke

What do I use? An aftermarket extended and ported turkey choke. With the 3 1/2" mag using 2 1/4 ounces of # 4 shot the gun holds a decent pattern up to 50 yards. I like to shoot the turkey at 15 yards or less and totally dust 'em.

The choice is yours. As grandpa always said, "Boy, the tighter, the better."

[gregory1]

I want a slighlu wider pattern comp, I have missed two already this year. Do you thing an full or improved cylinder would be good out to 40yds...

[Buckmaster]

If your looking for a confidence booster go with a full using 3 1/2" # 6's. 40 yards would be pushing your limit. 35 or less would be ideal. Just be more patient, let them get close, take a fine bead at the base of the neck, then let them have it. In years past I'd bet you shot over the top of them, IMO.

[mrjbigfoot]

I bought a set of the adjustable clamp on rifle sights for my shotgun barrel. I tried patterning it with the beads & didn't like it. With the adjustable clamp on sights, it's awesome. I thought that #6 shot patterned the best through an extended turkey choke & agree that it's way lethal inside of 40 yards. I tried 2's 4's, 6's & some of those combo loads.

[noboatdave]

How far away were the 2 birds you missed? What does your pattern look like at those ranges?

[M.Magis]

I too wonder the distance you missed the birds. If it was more than 10-15 yards, the choke isn't the problem. If it was less, shoot them sooner.:D I really don't think going to a different choke is the answer, especially I.C. What shot are you using? Did you pattern the gun and make sure the shot pattern was centered where you were aiming?

[10Gauge]

greg,

I'm with the rest of these guys.....did you pattern your gun at 35 yards, what shot did you use, are you using aftermarket sights?

Shot guns (all firearms for the record) will have a different point of impact and can vary from shooter to shooter as well (gun fit). Aftermarket, rifle type sights can correct this but you must pattern it to determine where the shot pattern centers. Do this on a huge piece of paper or cardboard......old refrigerator boxes are great for this and Home Depot or Lowes will give them to you if you ask. Once you have the pattern centered test different chokes at the same distance with #6 shot. You should get best results at 35-40 yards with your extra full turkey choke or standard full if that is all you have.

At 10-15 yards you need to be dead on with your aim because a very tight pattern will not give you much margin for error. My guess is your two misses were due to poor judgement in distance and the birds were farther than you may have thought. This happens to many turkey hunters! Practice with a decoy in the back yard, set it up at 20, then 30, then 40 and sit down and look at it with your gun sight fixed on the head. You will have a better feel for range next time the bird comes callin!