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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 18, 2010 11:23:14 GMT -5
I got to scrounging around and found a few old turkey shells from my entry into turkey hunting 18 years ago, (yes its been that long since Ive hunted turkey) so I went out this morning and decided to see what they would do in the two new 835's.
The shells were old Winchester Double X Magnum turkey loads, 3" 2 oz. #5 and if I remember right patterned lousy out of the gun/choke combo I was using at the time.
At 40 yards the 835's both patterned these shells suprisingly well. I went unprepared so theres no pics to go with this, but the #5's were holding nice and dense inside a 10-12" circle...no way a Gobbler head could slip through the pattern on both guns.
The only down side is that the 21" barreled gun with the thumbhole stock throws the pattern a good 12" above point of aim. Obviously due to the higher comb you cant get down as low on the stock as with a regular style stock. I'll be fixing that once I put a Burris FF 2 red dot sight on it though. ;D
All in all I'm happy with both guns...now I'm anxious to get some good turkey loads that havent been sitting around for 18 years and give those a try. Im sure todays improved turkey loads are going to make these old shells look pretty sad in comparison.
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Post by firelt72 on Dec 18, 2010 14:53:02 GMT -5
You will like some of the newer stuff I am sure, but the XX sound like they did great.
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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 18, 2010 18:00:16 GMT -5
Yeah the XX's just might be a good cheap alterative if need be.
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Post by firelt72 on Dec 18, 2010 21:07:40 GMT -5
They can still kill a bird. I shoot Federals through my 535 Thumbhole Moss. I also have an SSX choke. Love the combo. I may upgrade my shells to the Hevi-Shot type shell this season.
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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 18, 2010 22:25:26 GMT -5
I will at least give the Hevi's a try...salty dogs they are though. The local gun shop has them in #2, #4, and #6 and they are $25 for a box of 10...plus tax.  |
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Post by gobblerstopper on Dec 19, 2010 17:00:08 GMT -5
The 835's are notorious for shooting off to the right (it seems) or high. The FF2 will fix it and is a great choice. I have heard a lot of good things about the sight.
I shot Nitro's through mine. They are expensive (about $6 a shot), but if your only hunting Indiana, you only need a couple. I think I bought 10 last spring and only used 4 of them, so I might be good for this year.
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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 19, 2010 18:04:19 GMT -5
I wonder if that shooting off to the right has anything to do with guys flinching when shooting the 3 1/2" butt-stomping shells? ;D
The black/synthetic 835's pattern was dead on.
The full camo 835 is hitting high because due to the thumbhole stocks higher comb, and my big cheekbones...I simply cant get my head down on the stock far enough to sight straight down the rib like I can on the synthetic straight combed stock.
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Post by gobblerstopper on Dec 19, 2010 21:51:52 GMT -5
At one time we had 5 of the 835's in our group. Two shot right, one shot high and two shot straight. It had nothing to do with the stocks. That was before I think they ever put a thumbhole on one. It was and probably is just the gun. Some shot straight, some did not. All were fixed with rifle sights or a scope and all shot killer patterns.
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Post by firelt72 on Dec 20, 2010 6:28:31 GMT -5
My thumbhole shot high also. I have an EOTech sight on mine, so that fixed that. My Nova was one of those butt kick guns too.....OUCH and yes a flinch will exacerbate the situation!
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Post by parrothead on Dec 21, 2010 9:43:08 GMT -5
I use the Nitro too. I get 320-340 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 21, 2010 9:51:25 GMT -5
To get away from the "12 above point of aim" scope the gun. My turkey gun is a Predator camo dipped 870 with a Rhino choke, shooting Nitros 4X5X7s. It has a ShurShot thumbhole stock It is topped with a Simmons ProDiamond scope. I’ve never missed a bird with it yet. Killed one at 55 yards last year. Yes, it was further away than I thought it was  - but he was starting to go away from me. |
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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 21, 2010 16:37:04 GMT -5
Thats exactly what I have in mind Woody...figuring on putting a Burris FF2 on it when I can.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 21, 2010 16:40:51 GMT -5
Thats exactly what I have in mind Woody...figuring on putting a Burris FF2 on it when I can. The Burris is good choice. Post up a picture of it when it is mounted up along with a patterned target. You should have a deadly combo.. |
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Post by Flatlander54 on Dec 21, 2010 18:43:15 GMT -5
I sure will Woody...it will be a while though. have to save up the money for it.
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