Researcher said:
Joe Hunter said:
Researcher my Mod choke did very well at 40 yards with that load...
20 GA 3" - REMINGTON WINGMASTER HEAVY-DENSITY LOAD
1 1/8 oz #6 HD (212 pellets) @ 1,300 fps
40 YARDS - M / 164 (77%)
I must be doing something wrong, my Mod choke was throwing 85% patterns with that load. :shock: I believe I'll try the IC next time I go out!
RandyWakeman said:
Kent Tungsten-Matrix 1-1/8 oz. # 5 1360 fps is generally one of the best.
For $5 less per box I can get the Winchester XE 1-1/8 oz #5 1225 fps load. These averaged around 80% patterns through my Mod choke this week, something I never could get the TMs to do in the 20 gauge (although 70% through Imp Mod is an excellent pattern, especially with the #6 "upland" load). I think I'll prefer the Winchester load for follow-up shots in spite of its slower velocity because the shot is denser, and patterns tighter. I read somewhere that you cut a pheasant in half with this load because you hadn't had time to pattern it and ran it through too much choke in the field! That article sorta sold me on picking up a couple boxes. :lol:
-Dave
The main thing to remember about choking a steel load, is that generally speaking, you have to open the choke up as opposed to tightening , to get a tighter pattern.
This is because steel does not compress or create more lubricity when like lead does when it is constricted.
what happens is the shot pellets bang off each other and bounce way from each other as they exit the barrel , so to speak.
This is the chaotic effect that is spoken of in several books - ballistic products discusses it in length in their manuals.
I generally shoot chokes as open as skt1 and 2, or impcyl for my duck and goose loads with tremendous success on
our big local Canadas and ducks that we hunt here.
I have used Winchester 3"-2's , Federal Premium 2 3/4"-4's, and Fasteel 3" 2's for factory ammo, and the Federals were a big surprise to me, as they were a lighter charge but killed almost as well as the Fasteel! :shock: .
I would not hesitate to use the Federals gain, however.
Last year was the first year I loaded nice Shot however, and although I used it only a little only in the 28 gauge, a long double on Buffleheads , a 30 pace crossing shot on a teal, and a big Canada at about 29 paces told me what my pattern board first revealed!
I was stunned , to say the least , with how the Nice shot patterned with the modified choke in my 28.
However, i still have a lot of factory Fasteel, and will also use that.
This pic was taken after a late morning's hunt a few years back.
I used Winchester and Federal on these birds
The gun is a FAIR 20 gauge Safari with IC/mod chokes and 27" barrels ( could not convince myself at the time to open them up more! :lol: ).
BTW, the 20 is all In ave used for waterfowl for more than a few years!
Davide