Did some Patterning on my super black eagle II
I shot 3 different chokes Patternmaster Code Black, Stock full, and Stock Improved Modified
5 different shells in each choke: Remington Sportsman 3" #4 , Winchester Super X 3" #4, Kent Fasteel 3" #4, Winchester Drylok 3" #3, and Winchester Super X 3" #2
EACH SHOT WAS TAKEN FROM 35 YARDS

There is a separate picture of my top 4
The top one was 3" #4 Remington Sportsman with the Patternmaster

Please give me recommendations and tips Im tired of chasing wounded ducks

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BEST 4

No brainer 64

How big is that circle? How much shot charge was in the shells,1 1/8 or 1 1/4 oz? An 1 1/8 load of 4's has 216 pellets and 1 1/4 oz has 240 pellets.


4's at 35 yards you should have well over 100 hits in a 30" circle

IT WAS AROUND A 12" CIRCLE I WANTED TO BE PRECISE

Do yourself a favor and try something in the improved cylinder (for lead) constriction. Like the factory IC choke from your sbe2. I think you will get better results than what you have at 30-35 yards. Full chokes and IM chokes are blowing your pattern with steel shot. In my opinion, fuck a mid or long range choke with steel shot. They suck

You want several small groups of tight shot patterns, not just a tight pattern of 1 pellet each. Always look for little wads of pellets in close proximity of your circle. Those are the death licks on ducks. Not just 1 solo pellet

You said you are tired of chasing wounded ducks, Here is my tip, Only shot at them from 30 yards and closer, Then when you get a cripple he will be in distance to finish him..

I shot an extra full choke, with 3 inch # 4..

Ideal pattern, groups of tight shot with no large voids inbetween

So which one of mine looks the best to y'all? Should I stick with the 64 inside the circle?

I like the Super X with stock improved modified out of the ones you posted. Looks the most even. Like mizzippi said I would try either stock modified or improved cylinder too. I wouldn't shoot 4s past 35 yards at big ducks if you don't want to be chasing cripples all day.

I think your patternmaster patterns looked more even.
Recommended patterning circle is generally 30". I like to pattern at 30 and 40yds.
I used to buy into looser chokes for steel shot and recommended shot sizes. 20 years of adult duck hunting experience(average of 45 + days/year) MS flyway from IL to LA with trips out west have changed my mind.
When shooting mostly mallards at that 25-35 yd range I like MOD and 3" 1 1/4 oz BBs. Definitely nothing smaller than 2s after the first week of NOV unless in a very tight hole low wind.
Down here where we shoot mostly greys and divers, I shoot 3" 1 1/4 2s all season.
The larger shot sizes cause more trauma and replicate the impact on birds that smaller lead shot achieved through shot deformation.
Later in the season bird plumage seems denser and heavier shot penetrates better. An example is January mallards out west demonstrate that well when you hear the shot hitting them and they fly off. Larger shot sizes seem to fly better in windy conditions and lend themselves better to those long follow up shots in the wind.
Full chokes don't seem to agree with theses larger shot sizes, displaying that erratic pattern you see in a couple of your pics.
Cheaper shells like Xperts, sportsman, etc...cost savings' are achieved partly through less cost/effort smoothing shot. These less rounded pellets fly more erratically as you see in some of your pics. Cut some open and compare sometime. Dry lok vs Xperts. Nitrosteel vs sportsman etc...
As other posters have commented, experimentation with specific gun/choke/shell combos is essential.
Train yourself to establish two shot pictures on the bird you target. This allows you to check your work. You will find you have better follow up shots if needed, mark birds better and "shoot your bird to the water" when dealing with brushy conditions or tough birds that like to make a run for it
Sorry for the long post. I hope this helps reduce your lost birds as it has mine.

Pretty sure you aint a'posta be using steel through your stock IM or Full chokes?

I like factory Remington extended and Briley extended tubes for the peace of mind. Briley LM tubes for teal and close Ducks have worked well. MOD tubes seem to throw a steel pattern consistent with an IM or F lead pattern. Shot size seems to dictate. Got a kicks MOD coming to try in my beretta 390

Often it isn't so much the choke as it is the ammo. Try different brands with different choke combos. Personally I like my guns to shoot 80% or better in a 30in circle at 40 with 3s and larger with 2s being my primary shot size.

I am pretty much in agreement with fido. I have been duck hunting the Ms flyway for over 30 years. 1st , if your IM and full are not specified for steel you better not shoot it thru them unless you want that to be your only option year round. I shoot an old original Pattern Master in a SBE. I shoot BB's & #2 during all but teal season. I like your top right target because it is more full with less voids. Even patterns w/o voids is what I'm looking for. Step up your shot size to a #3 or #2. You will see less cripples. Also , let the birds finish. I see so many people shooting birds at the top of the trees and not killing anything. Not saying you do that but that there's a lot of new hunters out there that didn't have much training on what's right or wrong. Good luck.

Thanks guys for the amount of good responses. Does anyone else shoot a SBE2 for waterfowl if so what shell/choke combo did you find worked the best. Thanks again for the post.

I shoot the same gun I run a kicks MOD with #2 hevi-metal myself I really like this combo.

Kicks mod with #2 experts or heavy metal.