NEF Turkey Gun Range Report - and Questions

[Chopper3030]

Bought a brand new NEF Turkey gun 2 weeks ago.  The one with black stock/forearm and XX-full screw-in choke.  Feels great.

I patterned it this past Saturday using Remington Nitro 3" #5 shot.  Patterns look good out to 40 yards.  I didn't shoot past that.  At 20 yards, you'll either liquify his head or miss him completely.  Not much in between.

The recoil was surprisingly mild, using a Limbsaver slip-on pad.  In a world where about 90% of all sales claims are false, it's nice to see that Limbsaver delivers what they advertise.  A steal at $20 at Wal Mart.

However, 6 of 10 shells stuck in the chamber.  The gun was cleaned thoroughly before shooting, and the chamber was dry.  I cleaned the chamber and barrel after the first 2 hangups, but it happened again several more times.  Could the el-cheapo Remington Nitro shells be to blame?

Even though the patterns were good, I think they could be better.  Especially at distances greater than 30 yards.  Don't get me wrong; 40 yard shots will take a gobbler most of the time.  But I'm getting older, and so are my eyes, so I'd like to see if I could get a tighter pattern at 40 yards.  And, of course, I'd like to solve the problem of shells sticking in the chamber.

I thought about trying the Federal Premium Flight Control shells.  I believe I remember Quick posting that he gets good 20 gauge patterns at 40 yards with them using a full choke.  With the 12 gauge, should I use a full choke with these shells?  If so, what manufacturer should I try?  Federal says not to use a ported choke with these shells.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chopper

[quickdtoo]

I'd give em a try with the tube you have, then go from there. You can email Federal and ask, that's how I found out about the 20ga loads. You could put a BB ahead of the ejector spring and polish the chamber to see if that cures the sticking hulls, it works for rifles, you have to remove the rear roll pin from the underlug, use a punch or nail, info on the ejector can be found in the FAQs.

Tim

http://www.federalpremium.com/general/our_company/contact_us.aspx

[Doublebass73]

IF you can stand the recoil try the Remington Nitro 3 1/2" #5 shot loads. I had that exact same gun (I use a 20 gauge Pardner now due to neck problems) and at 40 yards the pattern with the 3 1/2's was amazing. I never checked it beyond that but I wouldn't be surprised if the pattern was good out to 45-50 yards. The recoil was the only reason I sold mine.

[cgoff]

the preference in  mine is a jelly head choke tube w/ #6  2oz  Hevi shot.  I get close to 200 pellets in a 10" circle at 40yds.

I have shot the remingtons in mine and never had any issues

[WeHuntTurkeys]

I shoot a NEF 12 ga. with a factory Extra Full Turkey Choke.
I've tried 3 different brands that I kept notes on:
1). FEDERAL 3 1/2" in PREMIUM #5 and GRAND SLAM TURKEY #6
2). WINCHESTER 3 1/2" SUPREME XX MAG #6
3). REMINGTON 3" TURKEY #5 and 3 1/2" NITRO TURKEY #6
Only the Remingtons would routinely stick in the chamber.
I use a slip on pad, not sure of the brand. But once the 3 1/2" I have left are gone, I'll stick with 3" Federal or Winchester #6. They do more than an adequate job within 40 yards.