Author Topic: Greatly Improve Your Turkey Pattern (Read 9100 times)

JPhelps · « **on:** March 26, 2012, 07:06:42 PM »

Greatly Improve Your Turkey Pattern

For the cost of around $3.oo you can make your turkey pattern much better.
Materials Needed on Hand:
~Scotch brite pads. You will want to get the green and the blue (metal finishing/no scratch) pads by 3m (other brands fall apart to quickly).
~Drill (cordless preferred)
~12 gauge or 20 gauge bore brush
~Shotgun cleaning rod
~WD40 or lubricating oil

Next if you have a twelve gauge get out the wire brush made for the twelve gauge. You cut the scotch brite pad to wrap around the brush once and then just a little extra. You will want the scotch brite to overlap itself just slightly. Once you wrap the pad around the brush, you need to apply a liberal amount of wd-40 or lubricating oil to the pad. I also use some wet pads to make sure the bore of the barrel is also lubricated. The brush should be attached the cleaning rods so it will reach the length of the barrel. Then attach the end of the cleaning rod in the drill chuck and tighten it down.

35 yds before polishing:

Start with the drill on slow and try to ease the scotch brite down the barrel (starting at the action end). This is where the little extra scotch brite will help as you power the drill, the scotch brite will start spinning and the little extra flap will keep the pad tight to the brush. Then once you get it started, switch to high speed and continue going up and down the barrel for about 5 minutes with the green pad. Put a new green pad on and repeat for another 5 more minutes. Then put on the finishing pads and repeat for about 5 minutes. While you’re doing this make sure to work it up and down the length of the barrel, Also apply oil as needed (the barrel does become a little warm but the oil will help reduce the heat). This is a messy process and it may be best to perform this outside in junky clothing.
Now clean your barrel like you normally would. Take a look down your barrel and it will be as smooth as glass. If not continue drilling. When it is a mirror finish go re-pattern your gun you should be pleasantly surprised how much polishing your barrel can help out a turkey pattern. I got greater than a 25% increase in pattern density with my Mossberg 835 with xxfull comp-n-choke at 25, 35, and 45 yards. All comparisons were done on shot inside a 10″ circle. I believe the reasoning behind this working is that when the manufacturer makes the barrel they do not do a very good job of removing the machining marks. By polishing it out you ensure that the wad does not get dragged down the barrel at a slower rate than the shot. Some people have had better results from polishing their barrels than buying aftermarket choke tube.

35 yds after polishing:

Camp David · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2012, 08:02:01 AM »

Very cool

I just might give it try.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2012, 08:06:18 AM »

fOR SURE .....

NOW THAT PATTERN WILL HURT

JPhelps · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2012, 08:10:35 AM »

I don't take credit for coming up with this. I just want to pass it along.

You can search the Internet and others have had great success as well.

MuleySniper · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2012, 08:12:09 AM »

Nice tip thanks!

MS

yelp · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2012, 04:34:46 PM »

It seems to help I did it last year. Jason..Do you have to do it every year?

JPhelps · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2012, 04:41:58 PM »

Nope, once and done. Gun should clean up easy once it is polished.

Limhangerslayer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2012, 09:06:50 PM »

I better not do it then, I will just miss more birds

Lincoln4 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:04:50 PM »

OMG!

I just finished this and took a look... I haven't even cleaned it yet after the final polish. WOW! Like a mirror. You gotta try this... I'll re-pattern it next Friday...

JPhelps · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:18:51 PM »

Lincoln4,
I wish there was a way I could have taken a picture of my barrel before and after. Like you I was very impressed with how the bore cleaned up.

Just curious, was there a lot of little tiny metal specks in your pads? I'm interested to hear your results on Friday. The other bonus is how easy the gun cleans afterwards.

Lincoln4 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2012, 09:26:11 PM »

I just checked the pads that were still sitting on my bench. The first green one was just nasty dirty. The second did in fact have some silver coloring in it. The difference in the bore before and after is simply amazing. Will post results on Friday.

Lingcod · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2012, 11:59:30 PM »

Great info, I'll give this a try before I head out this weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out.

kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2012, 08:26:24 PM »

Yes it works great I've been doing it for 5years just love improving patterns!

johnsc6 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2012, 02:47:12 PM »

very good tip , i will try it

et1702 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2012, 03:38:55 PM »

Quite a bit more expensive than a scotch bright pad. But these guys have the right tools for the project!

http://www.brushresearch.com/brushes.php?c2=6

ET

AKBowman · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2012, 07:03:12 PM »

Yup! The cheaper guns will typically will need a lot more work during the polishing process than a more expensive gun. Talking brand new of course. Pretty big difference I do believe it is because of the wad getting hung up in the deformations of the barrell that are caused from use or manufacturing.

The Gobble-stopper · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2012, 07:57:09 PM »

I did the sort of the same thing on my model 700, 270. Except I made a plug out of leather and used 10,000 grit rock polishing compound. My groups went from 2 inch at 100 yards to 2 and a half at 300. And the powder doesnt stick in the barrel any more. Never have to clean it. It looks like polished silver now. I learned that from a federal rep. years ago. He said there are always microscopic burrs left after milling.

JPhelps · « **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2012, 08:04:22 PM »

That's why most of your high quality match grade rifle barrels are hand lapped.

This is definitely worth the time, unless you don't want a better pattern.

Lincoln4 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2012, 03:54:32 PM »

Well, shot today. Unfortunately, I was rushed by the leader of a work party at the range. Only got enough time to find that the load I was using had a different POI than the last. I'll have to work on it next Friday...

Looks fairly good, just need to adjust my red dot to move it to my 10" circle...

Special T · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2012, 04:05:20 PM »

WOW! I'm gona do this to my shot gun!

wonder · « **Reply #20 on:** April 18, 2012, 12:03:04 PM »

Thanks JPhelps for the tip. I went to the store the other day trying to find these Scotch Brite pads that are Green and Blue but could not find any? This was at Albertsons. I did grab a Scotch Brite pad that was much thinner maybe 3/8 of an inch thick but it was all one color. All of the other pads had an abrasive side and a sponge side. Does this pad have an abrasive side on both?

Appreciate the tip even though I can't seem to find the right equipment/material.

JPhelps · « **Reply #21 on:** April 18, 2012, 12:11:49 PM »

Wonder,
I got mine from the hardware store. They should be with the sand paper.

Yeah the cleaning scotch brite always has the sponge attached to it. We are wanting a square sheet.

Home Depot, Lowes or local ace hardware type stores should have it.

wonder · « **Reply #22 on:** April 18, 2012, 12:41:51 PM »

Perfect, thanks. Was not sure what I was looking for especially. We have an ACE hardware right along the way home from me. I'll check there. Have not been able to get out yet and sounds like folks are really taking it to the Thunder Chickens. Did a pattern check with my hunting partner and was not impressed with my guns pattern at all. Enjoy the rest of the season and thanks again

Lincoln4 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 18, 2012, 05:30:11 PM »

I just picked mine up at WalMart, in the kitchen cleaning supplies...

Fishnfowler · « **Reply #24 on:** April 18, 2012, 06:03:45 PM »

I can see how this helps a rifle, but I don't get how it helps a shotgun. Do wads really start slowing down before they get out of the barrel? I thought the gasses continued to expand until the wad cleared the muzzle. Perhaps it is different with an autoloader that has a gas cycling system? What happens after the first shot and everything is sooted up and plastic fouled? Does the pattern start to degrade after the first shot?

JPhelps · « **Reply #25 on:** April 18, 2012, 06:44:33 PM »

The pattern stays better. There is less plastic and carbon fouling due to the mirror polish barrel. Also cleans easier.

I try not to get caught up with theories just the real world results. The drag on the wad is substantial enough to harm the pattern though.

Lincoln4 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 20, 2012, 03:47:59 PM »

Ok, I'm impressed. I got to shoot without being rushed today. With my Mossberg 500 20 gauge(polished barrel), with the stock ACCU-CHOKE X-Full choke, I tested three different loads. I shot at 25 yards and counted the number of pellets in my 10 3/8 circle. And the winner is..

Remington Nitro Turkey 3" 20 gauge #5 96 and 98 pellets
Remington Premier Magnum 3" 20 gauge #6 130 and 123 pellets
Kent Ultimate Diamond Shot 3" 20 gauge #6 136 and 138 pellets

Kent Ultimate Diamond Shot #6 it is. I love it when the cheap stuff works.

By the way, that's over a 25% increase in pellets in the circle since before I polished the barrel!

JPhelps · « **Reply #27 on:** April 20, 2012, 04:59:03 PM »

Lincoln4,

Those are the results I would expect.

This REALLY does work!

Chesapeake · « **Reply #28 on:** April 21, 2012, 04:47:54 PM »

With a Mossberg this is probably good, but you wouldn't want to do that to a Benelli with a chrome lined bore.

motg9_6 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 28, 2013, 08:52:55 AM »

Great tip! I will be doing comparisons for 00 buck 3 in and 2 3/4 while im at it. Will post pics when done.

paulf919 · « **Reply #30 on:** December 28, 2013, 02:07:48 PM »

Does this effect barrel quality? IE more prone to damage/rust easier etc?

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kevinlisa06 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 03, 2014, 11:50:45 PM »

Works great! First time I did it was bout 10yrs ago. Wow can't believe it's been that long ago already!

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PA BEN · « **Reply #32 on:** January 23, 2014, 12:41:21 PM »

Scotch bright pads work great to condition your slate type calls and strikers. I have one by my side when calling to ruff up my calls and strikers while I'm working a bird.

jblackburn · « **Reply #33 on:** January 23, 2014, 02:07:21 PM »

Good thread! Polishing your barrel makes a big difference! I use a slightly different formula, but same principle. Helps the wad travel smoothly down the bore and prevents the shot from disfiguring as much prior to entering the choke

motg9_6 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 23, 2014, 02:34:57 PM »

Well not going to post pics but will tell my results, saw no change in 00 buck at 50 yds. My turkey loads were better but still not what I was hoping. Thinking i may need to do it again due to not getting the complete mirror look everybody is talking about. Also need a better choke.

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