Choke tubes-Patternmaster

[fishing4fun]

Anyone have any expierence with a Patternmaster chock tube? I looking at purchasing a Full Choke model for duck hunting. When looking at the info on the containor it comes in, it states that shooting steel shot it shoots out to 40 yards with a 30" shot pattern. But it doesn't tell me if it's reccomended for both steel and lead.

Just looking for some input on one of the these choke tubes.

I'm just looking for a longer range tube for my Benelli.

Thanks

[strait-meat]

I have a M1 and I shoot both lead and steel out of it. Of course only lead for pheasants--it holds the lead even closer together. Made some really far kill shots with it on pheasants and it is great for the days they have more wild flushes. This is the only choke I use, so I am pretty used to it. I am pleased with it overall. It is a bit pricey but the nice thing is you can shoot both steel and lead out of it without having to change chokes out if you are hunting pheasants on private property vs. federal land.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I shoot the patternmaster extended for everything except doves and the occasional wood duck hunt. I've shot coyotes, fox, dark geese, snow geese, ducks, pheasants, grouse, pigeons, and god knows what else with that choke. Like any choke though, you may not see improvements in pattern or hits right away, you still need to match ammo to the choke, and then you have to adjust your shooting technique to account for the shorter shot string as well.

[SledNeck]

I shoot the patternmaster extended for everything except doves and the occasional wood duck hunt. I've shot coyotes, fox, dark geese, snow geese, ducks, pheasants, grouse, pigeons, and god knows what else with that choke. Like any choke though, you may not see improvements in pattern or hits right away, you still need to match ammo to the choke, and then you have to adjust your shooting technique to account for the shorter shot string as well.

what specific gun do you have and what brand/size do you shoot out of it?

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Winchester SX2 3.5". As far as ammo, I typically shoot federal ultrashoks or speed shoks but I'm not picky. I've patterned multiple loads from all the brands.

Here are some 40 yard pattern pictures from various loads I've shot...

Fed ultrashok 3.5" 1 1/2 oz #2

Kent 3.5" 1 3/8 oz #1

Fed ultrashok 3" 1 1/4 oz #1

Environmetal 3.5" Dead Coyote T

Kent 3" 1 1/4 oz BB

Remington sportsman 3.5" 1 3/8 oz BB

fed speedshok 3.5" 1 3/8 oz #2

fed ultrashok hv 3.5" 1 3/8 oz #2

fed speedshok 3.5" 1 3/8 oz BB

fed ultrashok 3" 1 1/4 oz #1 (30 yard pattern)

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Now some of these patterns are very similar to my mod factory choke, and some aren't as good as patterns I've gotten from a Briley choke in improved-mod constriction. Basically, if your happy with your factory chokes, I don't recommend changing. I bought the patternmaster because it was hyped up as a benefit for snow goose hunting. With certain loads it sure is, but if your shooting the wrong ammo, there can be big holes in the pattern. Some of the estate BB loads, and some of the winchester BB loads give me pattern troubles.

Patternmaster says that the studs in the choke retard the wad. High speed photographs seem to show that the studs actually crimp the wad petals over the shot charge, keeping the shot in the wad longer, similar to a solid cup wad like the flight control wad from federal, or the blindside wad from winchester.

[magnum mike]

I have a PM in my Browning Gold 10. I noticed the difference immediately. Mine is the original and is at least 15 years old. If I remember correctly, it is designed for larger size pellets.

[Bryce]

Not reccommended for Black Cloud if that is your shell of choice.

[Maxxed Out]

If you are a Black Cloud fan, I am a huge fan, I've shot a Carlson mid range choke for two years with excellent results. I do take it out on duck hunts however and just use my modified. I've found it too tough on my ego to shoot the tighter patterns at ducks.

[Quackaddict9]

I shoot a patternmaster ext. out of my Nova most days but somedays use the Haydel's choke which is better for close range shooting. I really like the patternmaster, it is a deadly choke but shoots tight and will adjust quickly. I have found that it does not shoot lead well from my experience pheasant hunting so I switch to Haydel's and shooting % is much better.

for steel out of patternmaster I mainly shoot Estate's, every once awhile Federals. EDIT: 3.5" shells shot bb,2, 4s

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I shoot a patternmaster ext. out of my Nova most days but somedays use the Haydel's choke which is better for close range shooting. I really like the patternmaster, it is a deadly choke but shoots tight and will adjust quickly. I have found that it does not shoot lead well from my experience pheasant hunting so I switch to Haydel's and shooting % is much better.

for steel out of patternmaster I mainly shoot Estate's, every once awhile Federals. EDIT: 3.5" shells shot bb,2, 4s

Are you shooting 1 1/4 oz lead loads through the PM? Try running some of the 1 3/8 oz loads in 2 3/4" or some of the 3" 1 5/8 oz loads. I switched to the heavier slower loads and it's really payed off.

[dan z]

been pounding ducks with a carlson imp-mod(ext) for some time now. never take it out of my gun "nova" patterns them grey shells very well. And I even tried some of them blue box federals and it patterned very well also. all depends on shot size and the amount of powder you use. I love 3 shot but I tend to shoot better with the lighter loads. even in 3.5" shells I choose the lighter load... Good luck

[Quackaddict9]

Are you shooting 1 1/4 oz lead loads through the PM? Try running some of the 1 3/8 oz loads in 2 3/4" or some of the 3" 1 5/8 oz loads. I switched to the heavier slower loads and it's really payed off.

Nope, I don't shoot the 1 1/4 loads, 1 3/8 oz like you mentioned. Steel loads that is but not the lead. I shoot pretty well with the Haydel's on roosters so don't really need to change a thing but will look into the 1 3/8 lead loads a try. Thanks for the advice.