NWcityguy2 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I am starting to get into 3 gun but am trying to get the $$$ spent low. I've got a 1300 Defender with a wide open barrel and at my first match wasn't able to knock the steel off a texas star at about 10 meters. I wasn't the only one of the new guys to give up after spending all their shells trying to knock them off either. I was shooting the wally world Federal 7 1/2 100 pack. Within the context of I'm not replacing my shotgun, what is going to be the most cost effective way to knock steel over better? One person suggested 2 3/4 turkey loads, another suggested getting my barrel threaded for chokes. With 3 gun I'm there more to shoot and get better than to win it all but it is annoying to shoot the same target multiple times and have to take a miss. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS101 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Most clubs / matches limit the size shot that you can engage steel with... usually #6 shot, however I have seen it limited to7.5 or smaller... The honest answer is get your barrel threaded for chokes. If you can get access to some heavy plates, you can try heavy loads, different shot size, etc.... Have you patterned your gun? Is it consistent, what is the spread at 5, 10, 15, 20 yards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3gungeezer Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I use Federal Heavy game loads 1&1/8oz of 6 shot I buy them online for $60 a case of 250 with shipping it is about the same as I pay for the cheap wally world stuff when you add tax. I think they would help you a lot. Every match that I shoot someone asks what I am using because it hits the targets hard and moves them well. If you can I would have your gun threaded. My 590A1 has been threaded and has a light modified choke installed. Good luck and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter115 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I was in the same boat as you at my first match. Shot the same gun and had the same problems. The 1300 is a great pump and in my opinion has the slickest action you can find, but the cyl bore barrel on the Defender is always going to come up short. If that is what you are doing to use as your 3-gun shotty I would definetly suggest getting the barrel threaded for chokes. That or take the money you would spend on that and put it towards a new shotgun. The Mossberg 930 and the CZ 712 are both popular autos that can be had at a fairly low cost. Between the money you would save by not installing chokes combined with what you could sell your Defender for, you would be well on your way to a new gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWcityguy2 Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks for the quick replies. Most clubs / matches limit the size shot that you can engage steel with... usually #6 shot, however I have seen it limited to7.5 or smaller... They only said no buckshot or slugs. Have you patterned your gun? Is it consistent, what is the spread at 5, 10, 15, 20 yards? Thats on the to do list this week. I've had the gun for 10+ years and I did it once when I first got it . I use Federal Heavy game loads 1&1/8oz of 6 shot I'll give that a try at the next match. Also there is no gunsmith where I live that I'd let work on my gun, what is a good place to send a barrel off to? About what is the going rate for prices of threading? I did a google search but prices seemed to be all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadeslade Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Walmart Federal 7 1/2 Value Pak (3 1/8dr) is the Deluxe Ammo for 3G. Because you can buy it anywhere, it works, and its what Kurt Miller said was the bestest ammo. Seriously, you need chokes, and a day at the range patterning them. An improved cylinder, and a light modified should do it. Try Briley-I've had barrels threaded by them for not a whole lot. WIth the right choke, you should be able to blast that star easy from ten yds as fast as you can pull the trigger. With the WallyWorld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmiller1 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I use Federal Heavy game loads 1&1/8oz of 6 shot I buy them online for $60 a case of 250 with shipping it is about the same as I pay for the cheap wally world stuff when you add tax. Not to hijack this thread but where are you buying those for $60/case? I need a case or two! Thanks! Mark Miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braxton1 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 (edited) Also there is no gunsmith where I live that I'd let work on my gun, what is a good place to send a barrel off to? About what is the going rate for prices of threading? I did a google search but prices seemed to be all over the place. Carlson's is in Kansas and charges $125 for single-barrel guns, including a wrench and three tubes, and a two-day turnaround. I would pay the upgrade price and get the extended "Sporting Clays" tubes because they're so much easier to change out between stages. www.choketube.com Edited January 31, 2012 by Braxton1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchang0 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Try #4 and #5 shot in weights 1 1/8oz or above first, but I expect that installing chokes is the way you're going to have to go. If this doesn't knock those plates down, then you'll have to choke up! http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/estate-high-velocity-hv124-gauge-1330-lead-shot-rdbx-p-73409.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THM7 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 All good advice...for the extra knock down power I just use Win AA Super Sport sporting clays 7 1/2 or Rem Premier Nitro sporting clays 7 1/2, both are 1300fps. This way I still have a dense pattern if there are any flying clays on a stage. Having chokes certainly gives you more options...but if you want quick and easy I would just change ammo to suit the stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 check with guncat on here about getting it threaded. Also have you checked your pattern to see exactly where your gun is hitting. Centering the pattern on the target makes a big difference over a fringe hit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWcityguy2 Posted February 1, 2012 Author Share Posted February 1, 2012 Alright just a bit of follow up here. First off thanks everyone for the helpful tips. I'm going to get my barrel threaded as it seems like the best long term option. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairmckenzie1 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) Have you looked a getting a replacement barrel? If its $125 to get your barrel threaded you might just look for a longer barrel, maybe in the 24" range, that is already threaded. Check these out... http://ar7.imoutdoorshosting.com/store/page93.html Edited February 25, 2012 by blairmckenzie1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMSI Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Now you know that the shot size, shot weight, velocity, choke (or lack thereof), distance from the target, size/weight/configuration of the target and barrel length all factor in as to whether you knock down a plate. And busting a clay is very different - much more forgiving. It all boils down to mass and velocity. It is helpful for me in practice to paint steel and notice whether I am dusting all the paint off or just peppering the plate. Not just seeing if it goes down. The pattern will indicate how close to a center punch you need to score a hit. and that indicates how fast you can shoot at that distance or with that set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Please tell us where to get those shells shipped to you for $60 a flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6Liter240Z Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 (edited) Good morning, I recently had my 930SPX threaded for chokes by "Guncat" of Rose Action Sports. The cost was 65$ and included return shipping, he had the barrel back to me a week after I shipped it. Rose Action Sports I'm running a mod choke now, but have ordered a few more. Shot a few hundred clays and it seemed like I had to try to miss them. Edited February 26, 2012 by 6Liter240Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dauntedfuture Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 when you go from #6 to a 7.5 you are getting almost twice as many pellets. From RO ing more guys with all kinds of SGs out there that #6 will take all plates off/down better in guns that are marginal as far as short barrels and or no chokes. My 18.5 remington CLY gun will not do much with 7.5 or 8's, put some #6 high brass shells in there and it will take anything down that we have shot. Just Sat guys were complaining that the steel was too far away: the hits were not center, he was shooting 1 oz of 7.5 's at the bottom plate on a TX star. Just saying that while YES shot size and choke matter quite a bit, you still have to hit the plates square with some guns. Also, given the save weight of the same size shot all shells are not made the same and some will pattern tight, while others will not be close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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