40 yards

[m_allison71]

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/m_ ... 61_HDR.jpg

This is at 40 yards with #6 shot. I think it will do the job. What do you think?

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

If that is a 40yd pattern, I'd shoot it at 30 to see what it looks like.... I wouldn't be taking a 40 yard shot with that pattern... no offense. Too many gaps and assuming you were aining for the red-dot in the center.... not really any "killing" pellets in the head/neck areas.

 

[Setterman]

I don't think it will consistently do the job. In fact that pattern would make me very nervous at 25, not to mention 40. As all know I like a more open pattern than the majority of hunters, but I can get a better pattern with a Improved cylinder choke and 6's.

What gun, load, and choke are you using?

 

[m_allison71]

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/m_ ... _HDR-1.jpg

After adjusting the scope it looks better. I still need to bring it down some.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

6 shot is too small at 40 yards IMO. It doesn't retain enough energy at that distance to guarantee a kill.

 

[m_allison71]

Its a Mossberg 500 with a Hastings .640 choke and Federal 3 inch Mag- Shoks.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Do you have a more open choke in the .655-.660 to try.... there is such a thing as over-choking which results in blown patterns....

I still wouldn't trust the second pattern @ 40yds.... too many open gaps very few if any in the "kill area".....

 

[Boll Weevil]

I agree with what others have stated regarding pattern density; that's a little light for my liking at 40 yards. That .640 choke seems tight...might be OVERchoking the load resulting in a less than optimal pattern. You might also try polishing your barrel; some of those Mossberg barrels are rougher than a Nebraska cob.

 

[m_allison71]

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/m_ ... 51_HDR.jpg

This is the same set up with #4 shot. I have used this combination for 15 years and for some reason it isn't shooting like it used to. Maybe a bad lot?

 

[Setterman]

Sorry, but none of those sheets have enough pellets for me. I don't want the ultra tight stuff that a lot of hunters want. But those are all very open IMO

.640 seems amazingly tight in terms of constriction

If its worked for 15 years why the angst now? Is this the first time you've patterned it?

 

[Bone Collector]

Hey I used to use my 500 to turkey hunt and I used an undertaker choke. it was cheap but was good to 40 yds. I think it was a 660 or .665.

I used Remington Premier magnums high velocity in #5 and Winchester (cheap silver box) #5. you may want to change the choke and try some different shells. I know it is expensive, but when i first started, I did not do enough of this and it resulted in frustration and probably wounding some birds.

 

[m_allison71]

Not the first time I've patterned it. The angst now is because it used to pattern much better. I don't have any old shells and the new ones aren't shooting as well.

 

[stringtalker]

Not a good pattern for sure, my 20 gauge shoots alot better than that, if you are shooting a 12 gauge i would find another choke tube for sure

 

[wlf89]

get you a .660 choke

 

[darn2ten]

Its a Mossberg 500 with a Hastings .640 choke and Federal 3 inch Mag- Shoks.

if I'm not mistaken, those Mag-Shocks are flight control wad. I would go get me some Winchester #5 or #6 shot and try it again. Those flight control wads don't usually like a choke that tight. I would also say that that choke is way to tight for #4 shot.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

.640 is too tight. I would try something in the .660-.665 range. The 6s are fine out out 40 yards energy wise, but I wouldn't trust them much further than that. Might even try 5 shot. I've seen guns pattern better with 5s than they do with 6s, though I can't explain why. But I agree with what others have said -- I wouldn't shoot past 30 if that was my pattern at 40.

 

[TheLBLman]

Before I'd try a different choke, I'd try a different shell.
Mag Blends might be just what you need with that choke, or even better, some straight Hevi #7's.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

Before I'd try a different choke, I'd try a different shell.
Mag Blends might be just what you need with that choke, or even better, some straight Hevi #7's.

Shooting HTL shot through a .640 choke would be a terrible idea, IMO. .640 is usually too tight even for lead, which gives some when you shoot. A load of dense hevi shot that has no give when it goes through the choke could cause serious barrel/choke problems.

 

[jman 125]

I used to shoot a moss. 500 with a .640 choke and win. 3" 1 3/4 oz 6's and it would pattern great at 40and would kill consistent at that range but any closer and you better be on the stock . The reason I do not shoot this combo today is heavy shot and now the long beards .

 

[deerhunter10]

I would pass on that. that's not a very good pattern at all. I would do some testing with some chokes and loads this week.

 

[Andy S.]

That .640 choke seems tight...might be OVERchoking the load resulting in a less than optimal pattern.

x2. With your setup, I'd be looking for .660 constriction choke and then find the right shell (3" #5 or #6 for this constriction) and go to the range. Best of luck.

 

[Recoil]

Just get the bird to come in at 25 yards or less.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

Just get the bird to come in at 25 yards or less.

And then just hunt with a .410. No need for anything bigger if you're that good all the time.

 

[hunter82]

I use a Mossberg 500 with a hastings .660 choke and with the new long beard shells I get 255 pellets in a 10" circle at 45 yards.I use the 6 shot longbeards

 

[whiskey]

If you haven't made a final decision, I have an UnderTaker HTL .675 choke for a mossy 500 that I will send you. I shot it with 3" Hevi #7's with it a few years back out of a 500. PM me your address if you need it.

Clean your barrel really good too! Lots of solvent and scrubbing.

 

[catman529]

sure is a loose pattern, but I can't see how that wouldn't still kill a turkey at 40 yards 9 times out of 10.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

sure is a loose pattern, but I can't see how that wouldn't still kill a turkey at 40 yards 9 times out of 10.

He may not have your luck Catman.... I'd rate it more like 1 out of 10.....

 

[Frank G]

Would keep it 30 yards and under with that pattern, 40 is way to iffy as set up.

 

[m_allison71]

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/m_ ... 026483.jpg

Would you say this is a more suitable pattern? And thanks for the choke and shells Whiskey.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

That does look better, but it's really hard to tell with those little turkey head targets.