Hi Everyone,
As you probably knew, this is my first season to hunt (Big games and Waterfowl). As a newbie, it is learning in process and spend extra money on things I don't need or spend money based on advertisement. lol
Anyway, because I skybusted a lot on my 2nd hunting day, so I decided to buy this Pattern Master Code Black Goose Choke from Cabelas for $139.99 plus tax, which is about $157 total. The reviews from Cabelas is mostly good, but when I using it, I don't really know if it matters, because I didn't have much experience with other chokes either.
Based on the advertisement, this choke can help people shoot up to 70 yards, which my friend and I highly doubt it. However, I think since a lot of people saying good things, I may just buy and try it out.....
I decided to do a pattern test yesterday with 4 different ammos, and at 25 yards, 50 yards and 70 yards. When I contacted PatternMaster, they mentioned this choke is designed with 3.5" shells.... I don't have any 3.5" shells left, so I decided to use 3" instead.
Here are the setup:
Benelli Super Vinci Shotgun
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/112564
Pattern Master Code Black Choke Tube
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/57667
Winchester XPert 3" BB shots
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/6453/...hells-12-gauge
Challenger 3" #2 shots
https://www.reliablegun.com/en/chall...-2-250rds-case
Kent 3" Precision 2.0 1560 fps #2 shots
https://www.reliablegun.com/en/kent-...ds-box-1560fps
Kent 3" Precision 1300 fps #2 shots
https://www.reliablegun.com/en/kent-...s-case-1300fps
Target is a big poster with a black target inside (the black target is 8" x 8")
The pictures are as below.
25 yards:
Kent 1560fps performs best. Kent 1300fps shot slightly higher, but it maybe my own problem, not my gun, lol. Challenger is reasonable. Winchester is OK.
50 yards:
Kent 1300 fps performs best. The other 3 are OK, but to get the bird, will need some luck. The Winchester one need a lot of luck.
70 yards:
I run out of testing paper. So Kent 1560 I circled with black marker (3 inside the target), and Kent 1300 I leave it be (4 inside the target). Winchester I also marked with black market (only 3 on the entire white paper, nothing on the target), the Challenger I leave it be (4 on target). At this distance, Winchester is obviously out. There is no chance to get a duck/geese down with Winchester BB. However, Kent 1300, 1560 and Challenger performed similar, and may have some chance to get a duck/geese down.
I am not sure if the money I spent on this choke worth it or not, cause I don't have anything to compare. However, this pattern test does help to decide what kind ammo to purchase.
Basically, I have 4 options:
1. Buying 3" Kent #2 1560 fps at $24 per box
2. Buying 3" Challenger #2 at $16 per box
3. Buying 3.5" Challenger #2 at $21.50 per box
4. Buying 3.5" Kent BB 1300 fps at $28 per box (no #2 available)
Considering the above options, I decided to buy some 3.5" Challenger #2 and BB. The 3.5" challenger is still cheaper than the 3" Kent, the extra 0.5" will hold a lot more steels, and I think it will catch up the performance difference.
So, basically, this is what I get after the testing. Feel free to share your comment and experience below.