Inconsistant patterns?

B

Brad S.

Inactive
I have a beautiful Remmington Turkey/Predator 12 ga with 3.5" chamber on hold while waiting for the paperwork to go through and there are some questions I'd like to ask this group.

I read on another forum that when using tri ball loads (classified as buckshot)someone got inconsistant patterns when firing 3" shells in a 3.5" chamber.

Is it normal to get inconsistent patterns when firing 3" shot loads (or even slugs) in a 3.5" chamber or when firing 2 3/4 inch shells in a 3" chamber?

I really liked th gun but In looking for ammo online I didn't find much available in 3.5" and only one place that sells 3.5" slugs and I'm wondering if it would be a mistake to get this shotgun because of these issues.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Brad
 
I read on another forum that when using tri ball loads (classified as buckshot)someone got inconsistant patterns when firing 3" shells in a 3.5" chamber.
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Depends on what you call an inconsistent pattern. Given there are only 3 balls in tri-ball, only one ball need be out of place for the pattern to become inconsistent.

I doubt the chamber length is the issue. I have shot triball 3" shells from a 3" chamber and got inconsistent patterning.

I'm wondering if it would be a mistake to get this shotgun because of these issues.
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Inconsistent patterns can be caused by numerous issues. First, it can be produced by poor ammo with inconsistent charges or loadings. Second, it can be due to the charge and load not corresponding. For example in shooting skeet, I found that lighter weight charges and loads produced more consistent patterns than larger charges and larger loadings. Third, some charges and loads are simply not fully compatible with the gun in which they are being used, hence producing inconsistent results.
 
Choke matched to shot size and shell lenght.

Patterning a shotgun can be fun , but more than likely using different lenght shells , with the same size shot , will give a different result.
 
A similar question frequently comes up with the revolver folks… they wanna know if a .38 special fired from a .357 rem mag cylinder will be detrimental to the accuracy. Some folks think the bullet should be as close to the forcing cone as possible and others don't. Frequently the only consensus it that it comes down to evaluating the performance on a gun by gun basis. If you've followed this forum for a while, you'll have noticed the same thing generally applies to buck shot and slug performance. Seemingly identical shotguns will have a different appetite for slugs and buck.

Don't worry about shooting short in the chamber. Get the gun you want and then spend some time determining which slug and buck loads perform best.

Part of firearms ownership is range work. From the smallest pocket pistol to the biggest safari rifle or super-mag goose gun, you've got to spend some time and ammo leaning how it performs and its limits. Otherwise there's no reason to take the cellophane wrapper off of the box.
 
My advice is to stick with a 3" gun, unless you hunt waterfowl, especially geese. The 3.5" shell was the answer to lead being outlawed for waterfowl hunting...if you plan on hunting turkey with your Remington Turkey/predator, you can use lead...no need for 3.5" shells.

A 3" chambered gun will also cycle light target loads if you ever want to shoot clays...most 3.5" guns won't do this reliably.
 
Tri-Ball patterns are consistently tight!

Brad S.

You have a great shotgun in the Remington 870 Super Mag Turkey Predator!

As for patterns with the 3" Dixie Tri-Ball, the one half inch unsupported jump in the long chamber sometimes causes distortion in the wad and results in the bottom ball not releasing smoothly. Not all shotguns seem to do this, however, Dixie Slugs company does offer a 3.5" version of the Tri-Ball for just that reason.

On an advisory basis, I did some of the initial range testing on the 3.5" Tri-Ball round. Using a 3.5" Express SuperMag with a 26" barrel and a Briley extended full choke (.695 exit diameter), patterns ran 3-4" at 40 yards centered an inch above point of aim - yes with a bead sight! Both 3" and 3.5" versions of Tri-Ball buckshot are consistent performers when used in shotguns so chambered.
 
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