WelshAndy Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 With a briley I/m (3/4) in my versa max I get 78% at 50yrds with 34gr 3" home loads normally using 4.3mm . The load has 100 pellets in it and hits very hard , although the versa max is. 3 1/2" gun I usually only use 3" as I've found they pattern a lot better Is that steel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 With a briley I/m (3/4) in my versa max I get 78% at 50yrds with 34gr 3" home loads normally using 4.3mm . The load has 100 pellets in it and hits very hard , although the versa max is. 3 1/2" gun I usually only use 3" as I've found they pattern a lot better I think we have lost our way with the 3 12" magnum, its very kicky for any gain. Field and steam did some good testing on 3" and 3 1/2" . Only reason I use them still is I have a load left. I should like details of that load if its been published PM me pls, I am liking no2 steel 3.75mm myself works for me in 3" factory in the 12 and home loads in the 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanm Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Yes mate steel , I use steel for everything now as was struggling switching back and forward with lead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Yes mate steel , I use steel for everything now as was struggling switching back and forward with lead That's very interesting I am fast heading that way, if it wasn't for the wads and the .410 I already might have done a full switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK fowler Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Yes mate steel , I use steel for everything now as was struggling switching back and forward with lead yes iv done the same iv found 3mm steel in a home load great for pigeon and crow shot a few duck with them too only time I had any problems was on a walked up day I just don't shoot many going away birds had to go back to open choke and lead shot to get anything in the bag but that is just my shooting not the shells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanm Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 For convenience I use 28g of 3.25mm for duck , pigeons and crows but need to get something smaller for pheasants as it can be a bit sore on them . Unless there high flying ducks on tge marsh il go to 3.5mm or 3.8mm . Geese it's usually 4mm or 4.3 mm (my favourite) and occasionally 4.5mm or 4.8mm but in a 3 1/2" case but 95% of the time I stick to 3" . I'm not preaching to anyone it's just what works best for me through trial and error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I love the gamebore 31/2" mammoths in 1s & BB's for geese. This year I've got a slab of 3" lightning 1 for geese and 3 shot for duck and low geese. Still got plenty 32 4shot. Got about twenty or so bb left for this season. Had some good ducks with the 32g 4's probably more than I have with the bigger loads. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Had the 1st chance today to test the kicks modified on feather, and was very impressed. Had 2 Canada geese, the 1st my shooting wasn't great so needed 2 shots to down it, but the 2nd was taken at around 40 yards and killed outright with 1 shot. On cleaning the bird found 12 pellet strikes to the body and neck with another 2 taking a wing out, this was with 42g bb's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry P Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I tend to only use the kicks mod on the geese with the larger shot. I use 3" 1's homeloaded for the geese, with the smaller shot and duck I find I get better results with the imp cyl factory choke. All shooting done on foreshore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Cheers Terry, have re done the pattern tests with the Kicks and the bb's and was surprised at the difference between it and the factory Modified, Pattern at 40 yards was brilliant with a 89% pattern within the 30" circle, stretching it to 50 yards still saw a pattern of 72% and a really good pattern. I am very happy that I went ahead and got the kicks (as people said i would be!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 Cheers Terry, have re done the pattern tests with the Kicks and the bb's and was surprised at the difference between it and the factory Modified, Pattern at 40 yards was brilliant with a 89% pattern within the 30" circle, stretching it to 50 yards still saw a pattern of 72% and a really good pattern. I am very happy that I went ahead and got the kicks (as people said i would be!) Mine patterned well at 56 yards with the 42g BB 3 1/2" carts,But past this it started to open out a bit. Fantastic choke and cart combo, the kicks mod is designed to shoot BB's well and does. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlbird Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I might be being thick, but I thought you couldn't use more than half choke with steel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted September 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I might be being thick, but I thought you couldn't use more than half choke with steel? That is the recommendation, but the factory 3/4 supplied with the SX3 is rated for steel. The Kicks is technically a modified (1/2) but patterns a lot tighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I might be being thick, but I thought you couldn't use more than half choke with steel? The recommendation is to use a steel shot size no bigger than 4mm through full choke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 I might be being thick, but I thought you couldn't use more than half choke with steel? That depends on the type of choke you use. For factory chokes you are right and 1/2 is the tightest you should use , but many afterchokes have a much longer restricting tube and in mine ( an HLS Undertaker Full choke .700 ) its made specifically for BB and BBB steel pellets. The choke produces a very tight pattern and cant be used for anything under 35 yards ( 90% pattern at 40 yards , 62 % at 50 yards the maximum I regard steel can ceanly kill a goose) or it will smash a bird as I found out with a 30 yard wigeon a few years ago that the dog retrieved minus head , neck and part of the left breast. Most of the time for duck I use factory ( Browning ) 1/4 or I/C choke but when I have a mallard flight line that I know will be high or for geese then the Undertaker full choke comes into its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 That is the recommendation, but the factory 3/4 supplied with the SX3 is rated for steel. The Kicks is technically a modified (1/2) but patterns a lot tighter. In my SX3 handbook it says only use 1/2 choke as maximum with steel as supplied. Using game bore 3 1/2" 42 grm number 1 I cannot replicate your results, best patterns with the kicks mod. is at 35 yards good at 40 and useable at 45. I did all my testing on my home range where I know all the 5 yard increments BTW. Did you test multiples or just one or two at each range might I ask and whats your barrel length Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted October 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 In my SX3 handbook it says only use 1/2 choke as maximum with steel as supplied. Using game bore 3 1/2" 42 grm number 1 I cannot replicate your results, best patterns with the kicks mod. is at 35 yards good at 40 and useable at 45. I did all my testing on my home range where I know all the 5 yard increments BTW. Did you test multiples or just one or two at each range might I ask and whats your barrel length All tested at measured distances, 3 shots at each distance (at seperate targets). 30" circle drew after the shot around the best part of the pattern. in your previous post you said you used a 24" circle rather than the 30" i use, could this be the reason for the difference? Barrel length is 28" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 All 24" circle not 30" Eminently sensible. Once any degree of choke is introduced the effective spread is reduced and rarely, if ever, exceeds 25" and probably less for very tight restrictions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6.5x55SE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Barrel length with modern powders makes no difference. I bought some after market extended chokes in 1/4 - 1/2 - 3/4 - and full all are marked suitable up to BBB Steel Shot. Now having read all the can't/can with Steel Shot I've had these measured with a choke gauge and all of them measure the same constriction as Lead chokes !!!!! Would I use steel through more than 1/2 choke with flush mounted chokes or fixed chokes !!! NO But I would check all your Aftermarket Chokes as you could be surprised as I was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.w. Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Barrel length with modern powders makes no difference. I bought some after market extended chokes in 1/4 - 1/2 - 3/4 - and full all are marked suitable up to BBB Steel Shot. Now having read all the can't/can with Steel Shot I've had these measured with a choke gauge and all of them measure the same constriction as Lead chokes !!!!! Would I use steel through more than 1/2 choke with flush mounted chokes or fixed chokes !!! NO But I would check all your Aftermarket Chokes as you could be surprised as I was Everyone thinks they shoot better with aftermarket Chokes but in reality it's the placebo effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
two dugs Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 when you guys talk of choke are you meaning half choke lead or half choke steel ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted October 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Everyone thinks they shoot better with aftermarket Chokes but in reality it's the placebo effect. Sorry but i completely disagree with that in this case, the difference between the factory half choke and the kicks half choke on the pattern plate is clear to see, especially when using large steel shot. So it's not about "shooting better" it is about making sure the cartridge and choke combination are performing as well as they can, which hopefully results in more birds in the bag at the end of the season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Everyone thinks they shoot better with aftermarket Chokes but in reality it's the placebo effect. Afraid your not correct with that 100% the spread is not much different but it contains more shot and the shot is more even. This is very clear in testing as I and others have done. I think its due to the longer taper to reach the constriction but it is apparent on the test cards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 All tested at measured distances, 3 shots at each distance (at seperate targets). 30" circle drew after the shot around the best part of the pattern. in your previous post you said you used a 24" circle rather than the 30" i use, could this be the reason for the difference? Barrel length is 28" it must make some difference because you will catch more of the fliers in the count but we are talking an extra 3" ring. Mine is also 28 " I didn't choose the best part of the pattern although I placed them pretty darn good. Could be a lot of things like me shooting 850 ft ASL etc. who knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted October 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 it must make some difference because you will catch more of the fliers in the count but we are talking an extra 3" ring. Mine is also 28 " I didn't choose the best part of the pattern although I placed them pretty darn good. Could be a lot of things like me shooting 850 ft ASL etc. who knows Who knows, but i do know that the 2 geese I had the other morning didn't apprieciate the new choke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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