I have both a Benelli SBEII & Winchester SX3 that I hunt Greater Canada geese & Sandhill Cranes with over dekes & pass shooting. I use Remington's Nitro-Mag Hevi-Shot 3.5" w/ 1.75oz of #2 @ 1300 fps for ammo. My question in general in theory and before pattern testing...What is the recommended choke tube constriction? In the past, I've used the Patternmaster, w/ mixed results.

BTW, I'll be the first to proudly admit that I suffer so-called "Magnum-Itus" as some folks like to point out. I hunt the Big Birds up in Saskatchewan, Quill Lakes area.

Thanks in Advance,

CMJ

J,

You need to get out to a pattern board. Every shotgun will shoot the same choke and load differently. Personnally when using Hevi, I don't use a choke with more constriction than improved cyl. Skeet chokes and even cylinder work well. You can also buy tubes that are customized for your load, but you still need to get out and pattern them at any distance you plan on shooting at the birds.

Sasquatch

Here's a link which I'm sure you've already looked at......you can get whatever constriction you want. I think the equation is simple(coming someone who shoots an SBEII).....size of duck/goose and distance. Tight constriction with 3.5" #2 at puddlers 20 yards away makes no sense to me......big birds/sea ducks/divers at 40+yds needs bigger pellets, more powder and tighter constriction. Early season for me is 3" #4 IC....late season is 3.5" #2 or BB modified.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas...cat601233&hasJS=true

I'm a steel/ Full choke guy. #2 over small rivers 35+, BB over corn fields at 40+ yards for geese. Geese are always on the Menu here.

Patternmaster Chokes:
They work great with larger pellets say B, BB, BBB. For smaller shot size say #2, #4, #6 you can expect resutls of a MOD choke when using Patternmaster.

I use BB 3.5 with Patternmaster Chokes in my SBE and it smokes Geese in air (Greater Canada, Greater Snows) and geese are dead in air. No follow up shots required to finish the birds off.

So for the big birds that you are shooting (Greater Canadas and Cranes) I would suggest moving to B or BB with Patternmaster and you will absolutely do one shot kills.

Pattern testing on the board only tells you a two dimensional picture. Still better than doing no testing at all. I try to test my hunting gun/choke/load on a Sporting Clays range with permission from the owner to let me shoot hunting loads. If the bird "breaks" then I know the combo is ok, but if I "smoke" the claybird then I know it will kill them clean.

Thanks for the kind & informative responses.

Drew: I found a cheap $40 day dove day lease 6 miles from home & the man said I could pattern my guns after a morning shoot.

Norton: On my way to Waco Fri, I will be stopping @ Cabela's to pick up & try their choke as recommended, I can't lose too much w/ $29. I do use 3" #2's & 4's early on in Tx over dekes, 3.5"'s tear them up too much at close range.

Jpat: I like your menu, but steel, I'll burn through more shells & look like an amateur.

Collector: Perfect Feedback from a Patternmaster user, just what I was looking for. FYI: I use the 3.5" #2 Hevi-Shot mostly b/c I can get it for $23.83 per box, B or larger is almost non-existant in my area for Hevi-Shot Goose, not that Duck crap. I need to see if I can bribe one of the local sporting clay courses to allow me to use hunting loads, great idea.

In conclusion so far until I go & pattern this weekend, I think I will stick w/ the Patternmaster for pass shooting & open the choke a bit over dekes w/ the Cabela's Hevi-Shot choke.

quote:

Originally posted by Jpat:
I'm a steel/ Full choke guy. #2 over small rivers 35+, BB over corn fields at 40+ yards for geese. Geese are always on the Menu here.

Speaking of geese jpat....you have any good early season spots?????

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CamoManJ:
I need to see if I can bribe one of the local sporting clay courses to allow me to use hunting loads, great idea.
QUOTE]

One of the local club laughed & said, "No Way Jose." Then seriously explained it was b/c of insurance & liabilty reasons, no 3" or steel shells, Period.

Remember, Teal die if the shot is anywhere near them.......doesn't have to even hit 'em.

Norton
If that were really true I'd have 3 in the frig instead of the 2

Perry