Got to pattern the Mossberg 835 with a Primos Tight Wad .690 choke and my new Williams sights (recommended by some fellow ALDEER folks). After the initial sight in with dove shot....I backed to 35 yards. I used Federal Flight Control 3 1/2" 2oz. #5 shot. My results were as follows.

2 shots:
shot 1 - 180 pellets in a 10" circle with 7 in a 1" bullseye
shot 2 - 152 pellets in a 10" circle with 7 in a 1" bullseye


I am considering buying a box of Hevi 13 Magblends just to see...but I dont know if I could get much better with my setup. Any suggestions?

I would definitely try some other than the Federal with Flight Control in a 12g. Also, try some 2.25oz #6's or the MagBlends.

Try the federal flight control in #6. Should put a few more in the kill zone. They patter much better than the #5 in my mossberg. The mag blends pattern well, and seem to have a little more down range energy imo.

I would try the mag blends. I think you will get better results.

You would probably get alot better #'s with the magblends, but there is still something to be said for the killing power of straight 5's.
never seen a test on it but I've thought about it..........you would have to factor in both #'s and pellet energy to determine actual killing power.

Probably don't matter too much about killing power when you shoot them neatly in the head, but I've had to shoot them in the back walking off more times than I would like to admit, or shot them through a real thick place and ended up breaking legs and running them down, etc.

That's why I always kinda liked big shot, even if I didn't break his neck I was gonna break him down good enough that I could run over and get my foot on him.
Of course big shot for me now is TSS 8

Thay will work but i would try something different if it was me.

I personally like to get around 200/10 or better @ 40y.

If you have the discipline to let him hang up at 50+ and turn and walk off, then your fine. I struggle with that at times, therefore I like it to be a little more dense at 40.

That SOG ain't letting one walk off from any distance if he can help it.

Can ya blame him!? Never know when it's your last one for a while! Some years they don't come so easy.

Well Im not too comfortable shooting past 40 yards....yet. I am going to try some #6 federal and probably some magblends....it will be a few days....but I will update here.

I agree, I was being conservative a little with my numbers for the new fella and his new found love. But if I'm shooting factory loads I feel a little over 200 is a great pattern.

If I can get a clear shot there is not a bird alive that will walk away to 60 yards. That's if I do my part.

That's a great attitude to have, know the limitations of your gun and hunt to that.

Try the Federal HWT in #7s. Way more energy than the Magblends, and a lot more pellets than the #5s.

Try a .670 constriction choke,I've had good patterns with that and federal 5's

Ain't nothing wrong with your results.

Hunt with it and know your limitations.

A dead bird is a dead bird. Doesn't matter if he has 7 pellets in his kill zone, or 200.

God Bless,
David B.

This is Federal #6 shot 3"....new Carlson choke. 675 @ 40 yards on a 8.5" x 11" piece of paper..

need feedback

112 in an 8" circle

same choke....federal #5's 3 1/2" @ 40 yards......8 inch circle 111 pellets....my shot was a little high and right....but it looks to have held a tighter pattern

DEAD

i dont think it could get any better unless i wnt to a heavy shot #7 or possibly a magblend