Pattern Test - Beretta Factory, Patternmaster, Carlson

[ShortMountain91]

So I did a pattern test with my factory Beretta chokes a couple years ago and shared on here. Since then I've added a couple more chokes so figured I'd put all the patterns together and get some opinions / thoughts. All shots were at 40 yards.

So the chokes are the Beretta factory modified, improved modified, and full. The Carlson cremator mid range and long range, both non-ported. And finally the Patternmaster code black goose.

I primarily hunt with 2 loads, Boss legacy 3" bismuth #4 for ducks and Winchester Super X 3.5" BB for geese so these are the 2 loads patterned. I also have quite a bit of steel #2 of various brands so need to pattern that one day also.

Patterns below so I can group them by load. Let me know what y'all think and would hunt with yourself!

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[ShortMountain91]

Boss legacy 3" #4, 40 yards

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[ShortMountain91]

Winchester Super X 3.5" BB

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[OneGunTex]

I like the way the Carlson's LR looks.

Personally I used to like Boss #5s and a factory Mod, but I'm not paying that kind of money for copper.

 

[Irish Miner]

Always fun and interesting throwing some patterns on paper. It's good to do. I've found it can be easy to overthink it sometimes for myself. Lots of factors in the real world. Us (the shooter) being the largest factor. Not to mention wind speed, bird speed, direction, distance, the gun, the load, etc..

Always have liked the Carlsons in my experience.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Watched a lot of YT videos on chokes. I drank the Muller Kool Aid and paid big money for it. I have yet to pattern it. Did see that every ported shot worse than non ported.

Carlson seems to be a great all around choke tho.

 

[ShortMountain91]

Always fun and interesting throwing some patterns on paper. It's good to do. I've found it can be easy to overthink it sometimes for myself. Lots of factors in the real world. Us (the shooter) being the largest factor. Not to mention wind speed, bird speed, direction, distance, the gun, the load, etc..

Always have liked the Carlsons in my experience.

I agree very interesting and fun too. I also have that issue where I'm constantly chasing perfection so I tend to over think and over analyze. What I tend to think when I see these patterns is there's not much difference in $100 aftermarket chokes and what the gun came with

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[ShortMountain91]

Watched a lot of YT videos on chokes. I drank the Muller Kool Aid and paid big money for it. I have yet to pattern it. Did see that every ported shot worse than non ported.

Carlson seems to be a great all around choke tho.

Yep watched the same Joel Strickland videos. Bought the Patternmaster because a friend swore by it. When I patterned it I didn't think it was much different than the stock chokes. Tried the Carlson because of Joel's testing and think it's not that different than stock as well. I can't stomach dropping another chunk of cash for a Muller. The videos I've watched where people pattern the Muller make me think it's not a miracle choke either. I think that's my problem. I'm chasing that "perfect pattern" which likely doesn't exist.

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[OneGunTex]

The videos I've watched where people pattern the Muller make me think it's not a miracle choke either. I think that's my problem. I'm chasing that "perfect pattern" which likely doesn't exist.

When I did my huge set of testing (something like 300 combinations of ammo, choke, and range), I also factored cost into my analysis. That's how I came to the decision to go with more expensive ammo that put more (smaller #5) pellets on target rather than an expensive choke tube. I only tested with choke tubes that accepted returns even after fired (Carlsons & Rob Roberts)

 

[Macintosh]

Just to add to above^. Chokes and shot shells are like rifle groups, ie you have to shoot multiple patterns to get a sense of what they do with consistency, and when you do that the smaller differences tend to disappear based on shot-to-shot variability ime, or at least the gap between similar tubes becomes truly very small. Usually negligible.