20 Gauge Shell/Choke combo?
 

I bought some Winchester High Velocity 3" #5's a few weeks back. Shot them through the factory full choke in my Benelli Nova 20 gauge. I got 45 pellets on a 9x16 target. I know the target is small, but that pattern is still horrible. The season starts in 8 days, and I'm hoping to order some different shells and a turkey choke before it starts. I'm trying to decide between Hevi-Shot Hevi-13 3" #7 with 1-1/4 oz. and Federal Mag-Shok Heavyweight 3" #7 Shot with 1-1/2 oz. Which do you prefer? I'm also totally clueless on what choke for my Benelli. Thanks for your opinions!

How far are you shooting?

You really should shoot at a larger target, like poster board. Start at say 30 yds if you have at least a full choke, and shoot at a small dot near the center of the target. Then cover the densest part of the patter with a 10" circle and count the pellets within the circle. Assuming results are consistent, this method will also tell you where the best part of your pattern is in relation to your aiming point. It may be high or low, left or right. After you shoot at 30 yds, move back in 5 yd increments and shoot to determine your max effective range. I'm sure someone will know the minimum number of pellets recommended in the 10 in circle for max range, but I can't recall. Basically if it looks to you like the pattern would definitely kill a turkey, you're OK.

I'm sure any basic turkey choke will pattern better than the standard full you are using. But my gun does fine to 35 yds with standard full and Win 3" #6.

Have you tried any of the Heavyshot in your existing choke? I my shoot well enough so you don't need a new choke.

Thanks for the reply! I will shoot a larger target with the new shells. I am going to shoot them through my factory choke and see how they pattern. Thanks!

get a Pure gold .570 choke and use either the #6 or #7 and you should do fine at 40 yards. That same choke will not shoot the Federal Heavy weight. Pure Gold makes a special choke for them loads in a .570.


God Luck

Wrights Superior Choke with Hevi-13 6's. Wrights Superior Chokes set the World Record Turkey Shoot for 4 years in a row. Shoot 1 in my wifes 11-87 Premier 20ga and with Hevi-13 6's will DRT a turkey at 45yds everyday without a question!!!!