Pattern Test - Beretta Factory, Patternmaster, Carlson

[SuperDUECE22]

If you know someone reputable selling custom shells for less than the price of TSS, would love the recommendation please

Unfortunately, the shop that made mine was a one man show, and he passed away about 10 years ago. Back then it was only $100. A quick search shows that Briley, Rob Roberts, Teague & DNA firearm systems are excellent choices if you want a custom choke machined to specs of your forcing cone. No experience with any of these places but if you send in a barrel i'd also have them polish & lengthen the cone.

 

[OneGunTex]

Unfortunately, the shop that made mine was a one man show, and he passed away about 10 years ago. Back then it was only $100. A quick search shows that Briley, Rob Roberts, Teague & DNA firearm systems are excellent choices if you want a custom choke machined to specs of your forcing cone. No experience with any of these places but if you send in a barrel i'd also have them polish & lengthen the cone.

How will that make cheap #3 steel more kill-y?
I'm looking for value here - what has the best ROI? Last time I tested, pricey ammo was more cost effective than pricey choke tubes (in terms of pattern).

 

[SuperDUECE22]

How will that make cheap #3 steel more kill-y?
I'm looking for value here - what has the best ROI? Last time I tested, pricey ammo was more cost effective than pricey choke tubes (in terms of pattern).

I respect the amount of testing you did but it's worth pointing out you never actually tested custom choke work or extending/polishing forcing cones. Factory chokes like the ones you tested in your 300 combinations (even the Carlson's & Rob Roberts) aren't the same as having a custom choke made for your specific barrel and/or polishing & extending forcing cone. Your ROI is completely valid & true when talking about off the shelf choke tubes, but it does not account for what a true custom set up will do (reduces flyers, smooth cone transition & give more consistent patters across multiple loads). Pricey ammo as you call it can definitely tighten patterns but its consumable and choke/ forcing cone work is the infrastructure that will basically improve every ammo you'll ever shoot. Without testing that side of the equation the comparison you made is incomplete.

 

[spur60]

Back to the original post - if you're patterning loads for snow geese, 40 is a good range as they tend to hang up on those fringe ranges, but they are easy birds to knock down. I'd try patterning different loads in steel BB, 1, or 2 that give you pattern percentages closer to 75%.

 

[Macintosh]

@SuperDUECE22 @OneGunTex

Sure, you can do forcing cones, back-bore, etc, but that isnt going to yield the same results in all guns. If you start with a tight-for-gauge bore, steep forcing cones, etc, then there may be a notable gain to be had. But if you already have one of the more souped-up guns that comes from the factory with good forcing cones and backbored, the gains will be minimal at best. This is also less of an issue with any type of shot other than lead. The OP said:

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.

If these are older mobil-chokes it might make some difference. But if its one of the newer choke systems they are already back bored, already pretty darn good forcing cones, etc. and the gain isnt likely to do much.

Regardless, if talking only about steel vs tss, and even bismuth which is significantly harder then lead, there is probably not a massive gain to be made here. Also it wont affect the penetration of “a” pellet, it will only affect pattern. You still have to use a big-enough pellet for whatever range.

 

[ethanbillingsley]

Maybe not helpful or insightful but I have shot a a300 outlander with a code black goose choke for years and it is amazing. I shoot hevi-hammer and the shot depends on species but primarily #2's and it patterns incredibly well. I am not an expert by any means on shot and patterning but I won't likely switch to anything else. From woodies to geese I've had great patterning at 25-40 with this choke/ammo combo.

 

[DuckDawg22]

I just ordered some Boss copper, was impressed enough with their dove loads that I figured I'd give the duck stuff a try. Very very consistent patterns out of my M2, and with two kids under 3, I'm only going to get out for ducks twice this season so I'd rather make the shots I do take count. Out of a Patternmaster Trap Long, which claims to throw an IM pattern 60 yards. Super versatile choke for everything except turkey, which it would likely be fine with too.

 

[ShortMountain91]

This took a few turns which is fine. I was only putting it out there as info for others that may be interested in these particular chokes and ammo. Bringing it back to the chokes in question I shot a couple more patterns. Another 40 yard boss #4 with the Carlson LR and two 25 yard shots also with the boss #4, one with the Carlson LR and one with the Patternmaster CBG.

So to summarize the Carlson LR at 40 yards with Boss #4 put 121 and 113 in the 30 inch circle. The Patternmaster CBG at 40 yards with Boss #4 put 120 and 123 in the 30 inch circle. The Carlson LR put 212 in the circle at 25 yards and the Patternmaster CBG put 223 in the circle at 25 yards.

So while it does seem only slightly different, it appears to me the Patternmaster CBG does hold a slightly tighter pattern than the Carlson LR with the Boss #4 in my gun. Also don't think I mentioned, the gun is a Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus using the Optima HP choke system.

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