Got my first turkey choke tube and patterned my gun

[1eyeReD]

After learning a thing or two from reading one of Borch's posts about patterning, I researched a few aftermarket choke tubes and decided on my first model.

I decided to pair my trusty wingshooter of 18 yrs, a Beretta AL390 Silver Mallard, with a Carlson's Extended Turkey Choke (.665), a non-ported choke. The reviews were good, the price was a little more in my range than the fancier ported chokes (originally, I was eyeballing a Primos Jellyhead) and I figure a .655 will be a good start.

As for loads, I went with 3" Winchester Long Beard XR loads in #5 at 1 7/8 oz. I wasn't planning on trying anything else unless I had really bad results, but a friend did say he'll let me take some of his leftover Winchester Double X loads that are also #5. Well, luckily... The results weren't bad. And though I didn't spend the time to count shots, I feel confident on taking shots between 20 and 35ish yds with 40 kind of pushing it since all I have is a single bead sight.

Tell me what you guys think. I can't tell if this looks average, good, or great. All I know is it looks good to me. These are in order from 20yd, 30yd, and 40yd. No backboard so target was kind of danglin on a clip because the target wasn't wide enough to be clipped at both corners (shot a Bill's Gun Shop in Circle Pines). I wish there was a backboard so I can know where the rest of the pattern went.

And oh, by the way. I was not expecting my shotgun to kick like a high powered rifle. First time I've shot turkey loads out of my gun as you may have guessed. 5 shots into it with just a T-shirt on and I was hurtin!

[123fish]

Well it looks like it will definitely kill a turkey at 40 yards. It's going to get thinner the more you stretch it after that.

[DonBo]

Sorry to say, but I'm not impressed with any of them. I'd try a few more loads and see if something doesn't pattern a bit better.

[CaptainMusky]

I was wondering if you shot just the plain ol Full choke that came with the gun???

I have basically the same gun, a Beretta A390. I bought a Turkey tube, but decided to shoot the Full first. My son was going to be using the gun so I was going to make sure the birds were close if an opportunity presented itself.

I was shooting the 3" Winchester Long Beards, 2 oz shot #4.

At 35 yards I had patterns nearly identical to what you had at 40 yards. There were 9 "kill zone" hits.

Because of this I returned the turkey tube (never shot it).

It does kick like a mule. I didn't want my son to flinch or anything so when patterning I had him shooting game loads because he had never shot a 12 gauge before.

I told him when you are actually shooting at something you will not even feel it because you are so amped up.

When the time arose, 15 yard shot, dusted the bird and he said "you're right, I didn't even feel it"! LOL

[1eyeReD]

Sorry to say, but I'm not impressed with any of them. I'd try a few more loads and see if something doesn't pattern a bit better.

Yea I was looking online at results of others and saw some that were more dense than what I have here. But my time and $ is limited. At least I now know the limitations of my gun and will keep it under 40 yds. Also, while shooting, I noticed my shots were kind of hitting right on the 30 and 40 yd shots - meaning the denser parts of the pattern were kind of to the right of the turkey. Not sure if it's just me or the gun.

[DonBo]

At least I now know the limitations of my gun and will keep it under 40 yds.

That's what it's all about right there. Good luck!

[Archerysniper]

I would keep your shots at 30 or less with that pattern. I would suggest a 3" #6 federal with the flight control wad.

My daughters 20ga with a stock full throws a better at 35 yards then yours is doing.

[1eyeReD]

I would keep your shots at 30 or less with that pattern. I would suggest a 3" #6 federal with the flight control wad.

My daughters 20ga with a stock full throws a better at 35 yards then yours is doing.

Thanks Archerysniper. I was eyeballing the Federals with flight control too. Prob get those next. Man I guess that choke/gun/load combo I tried just doesn't jive too well. And those Long Beards are flippin expensive too!

[Archerysniper]

Here is the pattern at 35 yards from my daughters 20ga with a full chicks for comparison.

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[1eyeReD]

Oh yea, that does look good. Very even spacing!