Benelli Nova Choke tube and shell combo testing

[884savage]

I bought a Benelli Nova about 5 years ago, and since then I have searched for results of someone who actually tested numerous chokes and shells. I've never found it. I've heard plenty of suggestions, but none of them really tried the combos they were suggesting.

Well, I did some testing myself, and here are my results. I tested 3 choke tubes with 3 shell combinations. I used the original full choke the gun came with, a Primos Jellyhead .665, and an Undertaker .675. I used three shells: Remington Premier 3 inch 5 shot, Winchester Supreme 3.5 inch 5 shot, and Kent 4 shot.

The results were obvious. With both the Kent and Remington Premier, with all 3 choke tubes, I got between 50-70 pellets in an 8 inch circle at 40 yards. There was very little difference. The Jellyhead choke shot about the same with both the Kent and Remington Premier. The Winchester Supremes outperformed with all 3 chokes, but the Jellyhead choke and 5 shot 3.5 inch Winchester Supreme shells was amazing. At 40 yards, they put 122 pellets in the 8 inch circle. It was nearly double the number of pellets than any other combo. I tried them all repeatedly, and the results were consistent. So, if you've been searching for this info, I tried all of these myself. I have my hands on some Hevi 13's and some Extended range shells I'm testing soon. I'll update once I try them out.

[dbHunterNY]

I've got a Supernova and will be trying some more combos. I've tested choke combos with Federal Heavyweight #5, 1-5/8oz shells. I got 100+ pellets in an 8" circle at 42 yards with both non-ported HS Undertaker HD choke and non-ported Carlson's Dead Coyote choke, which is about 50%. There was slightly more with the Carlson choke but the difference was so small and number of shots averaged so small i considered them both about equal. Didn't really try it with some ported chokes i've got as it defeats the purpose of more rugged flight control wad by holding it back. I'll be testing some hevi13 #6 shells and lead loads within the week. Really feel you need to go to number #6 with denser shot to get good pattern at 50 yards with a decent pellet count. Inside 40 yards, where my pattern is still dense enough, and #5 Federal heavy weight hammers the crap out of them.

[Ravin R10 man]

What was the count with Winchester & Undertaker compared to the other two...I wish you would have listed the tube, the shot, & pellet count for each test...anyways the above combo works the best in my gun

You obviously found the right choke/shot for your setup..and you did it the way you are supposed to. With a result like that you wont let many if any fly off.

Edited April 26, 2013 by Mathews XT Man