T chokes and pattern question.....

[zeus1gdsm]

I put some cheap lead turkey load through my 26inch vent with full choke to test the pattern......

She shot well.. Straight even if a tad low. Which can be compensated for... At 30 yards I averaged 15-25 pellets in/ on the head and neck. At 20 yards it blew the head right out.

Is this acceptable?

I've also been looking at the hs strut undertaker choke for lead shot... I can't afford to run hevishots. This is an OK choke correct?

[WhitetailAddict11]

This is a great pattern, wouldn't even worry about getting another choke, unless your worried about taking longer shots. Between myself, my father, and my hunting buddies, a few dozen toms have been killed over the years and maybe 2 of those were 35+ yards. Heck my best buddie's gun patterns very poorly and he's got more long beards than you could shake a stick at.

Edited April 14, 2015 by WhitetailAddict11

[MACHINIST]

Yea your good.Just make sure how far your shooting or plan on shooting.I wouldn't shoot any farther than what you've patterned your gun for.So I would try 40 just so you know what your up against when that bird hangs up,that way you know for sure if you can take him or "hope" you can.

[zeus1gdsm]

Good to know ... Thanks.. I push it to 40,this weekend and put the choke money towards a lightweigh decoy

[ants]

I think you're fine. Just stay within the limits of your gun. A lot of Toms have fell to hunters using their old duck/small game shotguns. 

[phade]

The Winchester XR loads get rave reviews. Might want to look at that as a good alternative. 

 

You can certainly stick with what you have, but a modest investment may pay off. Especially if you search around, you could find a pretty decent choke tube on clearance or sale. I hunted with an Undertaker for about 4-5 seasons that I paid maybe $10 for. Gander Mtn. had a ton of them last season on sale. The XR loads are more costly than basic Remingtons/Winchesters, but not as bad as the hevi shot and more shells per box.

[MACHINIST]

Yea the longbeards are a great she'll for the money as long as they pattern well enough

[jjb4900]

I patterned some 3.5" #5 Winchester Longbeards along with some 3.5" Hevi Shot Magnum Blends out of my Benelli 12gauge with factory full choke yesterday @ 35-40 yards..... although both patterned well, for the money I'll be using the Winchesters for now on.....my son's 870 20 gauge patterned just as well as the 12 with the Hevi Shot 3" Magnum Blends, I was impressed to say the least