im getting into the patterning game because im bored and want to get my turkey gun to throw great patterns....moneys kinda limited....so a new choke is out for this year..because i want a good one that will definently improve my patterns ALOT....right now im getting good patterns that are a little off center....so i figured i can put a good set of fiber optics on and move the pattern over.....patterns look good now with the new federal mag shock copper plated loads...just need moved over....im shooting a remington 870 express 3 inch mag turkey gun with a 21 inch barrel...and a extended remington extra full turkey choke.....is it safe for hevi shot?? if i spend the 20bucks a box will it definently give me the nice patterns i see everywhere from that stuff??? will i need a new choke? its the only one i own for the gun right now.....if you were me what would you do? moneys kinda limited.....getting good patterns with the federals just need moved over and it will be a turkey killing machine....i figured sights will be all i need...move the pattern over and have a nice set up for this year till i get the money to spend on it....right now i kill turkeys with it fine....but you guys know...you always want better.....what should i do??? thanx alot....

If it ain't broke. don't fix it.

If you are satisfied with your pattern thats great, but if you want the best invest in a Rhino .660 2" ported choke and Nitro Hevi-Shot, you will be more than pleased with your pattern, out of years of searching and testing different loads and chokes its the best combination by far of any I have tried.

I talked to a Remington rep at a dealer show .
He said it is ok to shoot Hevi shot out of the lead only extended tubes .
The reason for the new tubes is that
1 they want to cover their butt
2 they want to sell you a new tube

I have used factory and reloads out of my 11-87 with either a Rem extra full tube ,super full straight rifled tube or a Under Taker tube .

I have shot several hundred shots over the years patterening ( I made a shot trap and reuse the Hevi shot) and hunting with no problems.

If you are happy with the patterns from the new Federal loads use them. If I remember correctly from another post you had the wad bouncing off the target and were worreid about close shots. I have had gunners shoot several turkeys at under 15 yards. Of course any turkey choke will be tight at that distance. What do your federals do? Are you essentially shooting a slug, or has the shot left the cup? If you like the close pattern as well as the distance pattern stay with what you have.
That said I have been using the Remingtom heavy shot loads for a couple of years and have been very happy with thier patterns and kills. I have not seen a bird hit with the stuff twitch after going down. Shots have ranged from 20 to 45 yards. The 45 yard shot had one pellet in the spine and I cut its throat to finish it, but it never flapped or moved after being hit.

There's no guarentee your gun will shoot the hevis best. I went out today and ran a box of hevi's through my gun and 2 different chokes, but was extremely unimpressed with the patterns I got. That being said, I've seen and heard alot of people who got great patterns with the hevis. If money is tight and the Federals are shooting good patterns, I think I'd stick with the Feds. If you get some extra cash, you may want to try the hevis, but like I said there is no gaurentee the hevis will shoot well outta your gun.

ya the federals work nice.....i dry a mock turkey head where i want my pattern to be and at 25yds i had something like 65 hits in the head and neck...and just lined up a "life size turkey target" i just bought tonite on what i dry and they matched pretty dang good.....so i think ill buy a good set of sights and stick with the federals....maybe try a box of 5s....and see if htye do better....and tomarow i plan to polish my bore....see how it all pans out....cant find good sights at dicks or walmart....ill try a gunshop or 2 but all the shops around here are small and probably wont have anything better....i want somehting fully adjustable and something i can put on my self but it will stay there......i havent fired the federals at anything closer then 25yds....25yds the wad broke my paper...30yds it hit the wood behind my paper and bounced off....ill fire one at 15yds next time im out....im willing to be it will be a pretty pattern.....then i can post a pic here and tell you guys it was at 50yds lol.... then ill try a few farther out and find my max range....and let you guys know what happens.....7 something a box the federals are nice....not sure how the wad flys that far yet....but i dont care.....it made my pattern look ALOT nicer....but then again i didnt have that good of a pattern before....i mean i rolled 2 long beards with my old load...no problems...but after seeing pics and such...i knew there was better.....maybe ill take honest pics for you guys and show off my cheap load n choke combo if its worth it......lolthanx guys......big help as always....

Good luck with your gun>>>