TSS, Patterns and Chokes

[hac36]

Hey Guys - looking for some advice

I am relatively new to TSS but have been doing some load and pattern testing in several guns. started with 12 ga choked with a 680, then 670, then....

I have a beretta A400 20gauge with an IC 565 - shoots about 270/230 with the 1 5/8 oz TSS #9s load

My Beretta A300 12ga (24" barrell) is shooting the 1oz 8s and 1.25oz 9s thru a jebs 665 with 430/240 average. i even counted and am averaging about 50 outside the 20" ring

question is - how do you know when you are overchoked? i seem to have few holes although its tight.

I'm shooting an aim point micro T2 as well and even when guests used the gun on birds at 8, 12 and 15 yards this year we had no misses

but it was also great when they thought the bird was at 45 and it was at 70 and did not flop.....

also and VERY important - if overchoked - will your POI change any from shot to shot if your setup and loads are consistent? if i am shooting something tight i want it to be consistent

in the process of building a trap so i can try all of this myself but thought you guys could save me some effort

[Spuriosity]

Sounds like your 20 ga is choked about right, although you didn't show us a pattern.

How were your 12 ga patterns with the .680 and .670?

Overchoked patterns do often exhibit clumps of shot and holes in the pattern. The core is going to move around some with all chokes; it is just more noticeable with tighter chokes. Patterns will generally be more even if you open the choke a bit. I would suggest backing off to 2 oz of shot in the 12 ga and trying the .680 choke. My Beretta throws killing patterns to 60 yds with 1.625 oz of 9s (Briley .683) or 9 x 8.5s from a ST .675.

[hac36]

Thank you!


with the tighter chokes - I have shot about 15 patterns on 40" paper - the pattern I sent is very representative. I am surprised that I am not seeing much clumping or holes larger than 1/2" in the 10 ring

the 670 rhino opened the pattern up a LOT - more of a 24" diameter. the holes were actually larger but not more frequent. but the 20 ring had a lot more shot in it.... 340ish/250ish

for the 680 - more open - 27" pattern - 310/260....

I am leaning towards shooting the tighter choke if the basic pattern wont move around much (POI/POA). the core is sooooo thick that I don't mind it shifting somewhat

just want it to always be more than ethical

I can take pictures of the other patterns and upload if helpful?

[el diablo]

If you are killing turkeys at those ranges and have your optic sighted in, then I wouldn't even touch it.

[Spuriosity]

If the .680 is still over 300/10 and you have more shot in the 10-20 (260 vs 240), I see no reason not to go with the more open choke to get a slightly more forgiving pattern. 310/10" is all the center density you will ever need.