Shotgun won't shoot a tight group

[Arial]

I shoot a Mossberg 500 20 gauge, and I've been having trouble getting it to shoot a tight group past 15-20 yards. I have bought multiple kinds of turkey shot but none of them have worked. Any ideas?

 

[pressfit]

hmm.. are you using a full or better choke?

 

[birddog]

xxx comp-n-choke and hevi shot 4,5,6 blend.

 

[WG Taxidermist]

I had a 12 gauge that done that so I bought a new choke for it and it helped. I don't know if the choke was wore out or what.

 

[fredfred]

What do you consider a tight group?

 

[Arial]

Well considering when I shoot the target at 25, there's only 3 or 4 pellets actually somewhere on the turkey, I'd consider anything better than that a tight group haha

 

[Arial]

hmm.. are you using a full or better choke?

Full choke

 

[SPickle]

Try some different chokes

 

[deerhunter10]

Try some different chokes

X2 it's probably more the choke then the load

 

[scn]

If you are shooting with #4 shot you may want to drop down a size or three. Try some #5 (my favorite) or #6, 7 1/2 with a choke in the .660-.665 constriction range.

When we did some pattern testing several years ago with Remington barrels, we found that a couple of the realatively cheap Remington turkey chokes patterned better than some of the high dollar after market chokes. My 11-87 loves the Remington Turkey extra/super full choke with a .665 constriction and #5 shot.

To increase the number of shot in your pattern, #6 or even #7 1/2 will more than do the job out to the 30-35 yard range where you normally shoot turkeys. Before spending a bunch of money on chokes, try some of those shells with your current set-up.

 

[ruger7mag]

How big is the piece of paper you are shooting? Sounds like a poa/poi issue.

 

[mike243]

Also if your shooting at a small target get a large peice of cardboard for backing,you would be suprised at how far off the target some guns pattern,you may have a great pattern but most of it missing the paper,I had to put adjustable sites on a 24" barrel to correct it for me,others shot it great ,no 2 people hold/control the guns the same .

 

[fredfred]

How big is the piece of paper you are shooting? Sounds like a poa/poi issue.

This^^^^^

I've never see a shot gun shoot that bad. Your missing the tarfet sounds like

 

[Coach]

Well considering when I shoot the target at 25, there's only 3 or 4 pellets actually somewhere on the turkey, I'd consider anything better than that a tight group haha

Dang my skeet choke does better than that...have you considered operator error?

 

[Hoss]

Arial,
What type of sight are you using on the gun? Is a front and rear sight or the bead on the barrel? If it is the bead you might need to consider an aftermarket clampon type of sight. The ones with a rear sight and a front sight work really well. You can pick whichever flavor you want. Some are just a front bead and a rear bead some have a rear buckhorn (Like a rifle) some have sight rings in the rear. It doesn't really matter which one you choose.
If you already have the two piece sight, then you will need to shoot at a very large target. Then adjust the sight to make the thickest or most dense part of your pattern line up with the sight. Follow the directions on the sight for adjusting. If you no longer have the instructions let me know. I may be able to help you with that.

Happy Hunting!!

 

[Andy S.]

....Sounds like a poa/poi issue.

My thoughts exactly. Shoot at a piece of paper at least 36" X 36" to confirm or negate your point of aim = your point of impact, then go from there.