I have tried three brands of 3.5 inch, #4,5,6, #4 buck and #1 buck, with 4 differnt chokes and 2 barrel lengths.
I have tried 3 brands of 3 inch, #5,6 shot, #4 buck and OO buck in 4 chokes and 2 barrel lengths.
I have tried 3 brands of 2.75 inch, #4,5,6 shot, #4 buck, #1 buck, and 00 buck, 4 chokes and 2 barrel lengths.
All at 25 and 50 yards. Brands were Federal, Win. and Rem. Remington 11-87, 22 inch barrel smooth bore screw in chokes, 28 inch barrel screw in. Chokes were, Turkey extra full, extra full, full and modified.
All the loads were exceptable at 25 yards with most chokes. The turkey full and extra full gave the most widely scattered patterns accross the board. At 50 yards there are BIG differences.
The modified choke was the best with everything and the 28 inch barrel. #4 buck and #5 shot, buffered magnums, Federal in 2.75 inch magnum are the hands down best at 50 yards. copper plated work better than plain.
I used paper plates. If I did it again I would use larger paper targets. You need a LARGE target mount area to prevent accidental hits from shooting targets too close together. I used a gun rest and card table, and a PILLOW cause my shoulder HURT!!! I spent three days doing this. I have since started trying another shotgun.
In the 00 buck many of the 50 yard plates did not have any holes what so ever, and even a couple at 25 yards. I intend to experment more with buckshot and 3 inch loads.
Conclusion. You must pattern your own gun, in my opinion 3.5 inch loads are just too much material shoved down a 12 gauge bore maybe in a 10 they would work well, I am using and will use 2.75 inch mag loads, better velocity, better patterns. I now want to try more open chokes.
Mr Rich Cronk has done a bit of testing with shotguns and I think his experience is very similar to mine.
my 2 bits
Carl