Pattern Test with 20 ga. Franchi Affinity and Muller Decoy Choke

In efforts to get my 20 ga. Franchi Affinity to be a lethal tool I have finally found the choke of all chokes. The Muller Decoy Choke. I've never had a pattern like I get in this video. The ducks are in big trouble this season.
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[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Link for Müller chokes mullerchokes.com/mvm Use code MVM2024 at checkout for 10% off

[@Gareth96v1]

Thanks, this is what I was looking for. Considering a FA3 in 20ga and I'm a 50/50 man too.

[@paulmorin2234]

Wow, very impressive test. I’m gonna try it on both of my Benelli’s. I have a super black eagle three that shoots was high and my Montefeltro that shoots high.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Thank you sir

[@jerrylockard6948]

Excellent job all around!👍

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Thanks!

[@TheNewHuntersGuide]

Wish this video had more views! That's quality testing.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Appreciate it

[@matthewsmith2051]

You need that UFO for when that Eurasian is out there about 55-65😂😂

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

😂😂

[@BrockLowell]

You can’t beet muller’s chokes from what I’ve seen! They are tough as hell if your using supper hard shot.

[@johnnyhelton3746]

That's solid

[@mannygiapitzakis7778]

The first shot at 20 yards demonstrates the issues of firing repeated shots at the same pattern sheet. The first shot clearly shows good centre pattern densities but also highlights issues surrounding overal pellet distribution and effective utilisation (ie. edge-to edge pattern coverage). Issues such as pattern voids and poor peripheral pattern coverage can often be masked by repeated shooting at the same pattern sheet. The idea that any given hunter can always place a well centred pattern on a moving target with complete consistency is unrealistic, hence, the attraction of using well uniformed patterns which allow some aim error. Likewise, please review your first shot at 35 yards and re-examine your pellet strike count inside of the 30” circle.

[@NorthState.]

Link to that episode? Looking for why you picked the decoy over passing. Thanks!

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Somewhere in the comments

[@SirAlford]

The Anaconda Black Mamba is even better!

[@base72588]

135 for a choke seems a bit outrageous. and then to add insult to injury pow 10.41 to ship the little thing to you. Mind blowing.

[@neelrandall4803]

Bought my daughter one for her 20 after patterning it went back inside ordered me one

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Proof is in the pudding

[@dennisvandergriff7757]

Awrsome information. I'm an older guy, late 60's. I purchased Muller a year ago. Hands down the best ever. Fantastic job with superb info.

[@number8wirenz360]

Word is that Muller Chokes are the bees knees. There is another guy on YT that's tested them pretty extensively against everything else. Surprisingly, using some pretty out of it tech, The Muller is the best. Ironically, the Pattermaster is a gimmick. They actually lengthen the shot string instead of shorten it.

[@brettvanmeter2353]

For me that just is not how to pattern my gun , I can fill holes with all chokes i own with 5 shots , i want the most fill in on One shot . I do own Muller chokes also and they are not doing any than my others, It is a good way to market chokes though

[@codynorton-s4f]

What are you shooting for shells?

[@HI-Velocity-]

Great video and pattern! I thought the reason you aren't supposed to shoot without a choke in is because in some gun models the wall thickness at the threads is thinnest and can stretch over time under load not from pellets striking. It's funny all the random things we pick up in videos and forums over the years.

[@Panchothings]

Yeah babyyyyyyyyyyyyyy those chokes are gold my friend. I did got the pattern I wanted out of the decoy and the pass. Loving the results. I shooting boss but can’t way to see what the heavy + muller do to the actual birds. 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@Pontiuspilate666]

I just bought the muller decoy choke for my franchi affinity 3. Cant wait!

[@digitalgoonie]

I am 100% sold on these chokes

[@toddbunnett640]

Did your gun shoot high with the factory chokes? Pretty much all my Carlsons chokes move my point or impact high or left. I have a full set of H20 for my sbe2 and I don’t find they pattern any better then the factory chokes, but I still use them. The decoy choke is the one specifically that I use. The pass shooting is too tight for my liking.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Not from what I remember but I know it didn’t pattern that good

[@virginiaswampboys199]

Definitely can't ask for anything better than that. Crazy good tests.

[@michellewhatley3808]

no excuses now mate.Great vid.muller chokes have allways beeen my choice.Phil[chooka53]

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Yessir. No excuses

[@landonsmith3346]

Quick question on Amazon the chokes are labeled INV or CRIO I have a affinity 3 12 gauge and need to know which one to get can u give a little help 😂

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

I’d look on franchis site or call Müller chokes during business hours to be safe

[@landonsmith3346]

@@MidValleyMercenaries thanks I’ll give them a call

[@duckbrian7973]

I’m in shock about the no choke business. I grew up hearing about ruining barrels with no chokes. Pro’s know

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

I was too. They sure do

[@jamesbrightsman6548]

I have the passing choke and it is killer

[@austinevans3718]

What gauge shotgun and ammo?

[@MattSelak]

Problem is you don't shoot at a duck 5 times....what does your one shot pattern look like ? 5 shots can fill in alot of gaps ...

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

I showed each shot individually

[@larryjistel3018]

You missed the point of the video... Patterns or all about percentages...

[@mannygiapitzakis7778]

I disagree, percentages have little or no meaning when assessing the terminal performance of any given choke and load combination at known distances. Particularly shooting distances that apply to our specific hunting needs. You demonstrated this when you set out your shooting distances and provided minimum pellet strike numbers ie. 70-100. These figures based against peer-reviewed science would be ok (achieve 1-2 pellet strikes on key vital organs ensuring cleans and consistent kills) for Mallard or Pintail sized birds, they fall short for medium or small teal sized birds where pellet strikes inside a 30” circle are need to be closer to 120 and 140 respectively. Please recheck your calculated pellet strikes at 35 yards.

[@echosierra9990]

The reason you shoot five times, is to see WHERE your shotgun patterns, not to determine pattern DENSITY. You need to to figure out WHERE your shotgun shoots, before you figure out HOW your shotgun shoots. After you figure that out, THEN, you can work on individual shots for pattern density.

[@mannygiapitzakis7778]

@@echosierra9990 That's incorrect and to my knowledge and understanding that was not the subject of the video. You carry out a POI (POINT OF IMPACT) or POA (POINT OF AIM) tests on a pattern sheet to see where your gun shoots or patterns. The term Pattern Testing refers to the assessment (i.e. terminal performance, pellet distribution, patten efficiency rate etc.) of any choke and load combination. Rewatch the video again, as it introduces minimum pattern density values (i.e. 80-100). Again, that is done to provide a bench mark for determining the terminal performance of a choke and load combination on paper. Shooting 5-shots and averaging out the number of pellet strikes causes many issues i.e. miscounts, masking of central and peripheral voids etc. You can see this in the 1st shot taken at 20 yards. Likewise, looking at the 1st shot at the 30 yards, i cannot see how the presenter achieved the average pellet strike count that he reported.

[@sillystupidusername1]

Why test at 15 yards? 40 is standard isn't it?

[@sillystupidusername1]

saw more.... never mind

[@markmiller7311]

Yeah that was very good test with that choke

[@gnorrisproductions5724]

would love to see the choke patterned with shells like he talks about in the podcast. 3in 1-3/8 3 or 4 shot 1300 fps...

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

We’ll get some and do it at some point

[@jacksimms8671]

Yes!!

[@stavroskottos9841]

You should get your own reloader, ask Jim to be your reloading mentor, and never look back.

[@SNAGEMNTAG3M]

Have you considered hunting with subs ...and I have always been told you can't shoot a shotgun without a choke haha glad to hear it's an old wives tale thanks for that

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

We get out once a year with our subs

[@SNAGEMNTAG3M]

@@MidValleyMercenaries I couldn't remember but yeah now that you say that I've seen some of your videos from it still love the content been following for years now and it's still a good time

[@robertmcmanus8465]

Dude wait till you realize and see that if you drop your velocity down of your rounds from 1400 to 1200 or less your pattern will be even tighter 😏

[@ChaseWaterfowl]

Awesome video brother! Glad the targets worked out and thanks for the shout!

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Any time! Thanks again!

[@jeremymatlock2049]

Bro, that pattern was so full with the muller choke.. i may be buying new chokes !!🦆🦆💯

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Haha! Proof is in the pudding!

[@jeremymatlock2049]

Bro im 52 and was always told 1550 3inch #2 ..with full choke!! Today ends that nonsense 💥

[@micahlowbe9067]

Yes!! Go muller!!

[@D.Gard81]

Great video! Curious what shells you were using and shot size in this video

[@cameronwelch78]

Alright bud. So we hunt the same areas...I hunt greylodge and all the surrounding refuges as well.. Love your Channel, and love what your doing. Me and a couple buddies follow you. But you say you don't take shots beyond 35 yards or so and always decoy them....Very often we have nothing but pass shots at 50 yards, and many of our contacts say it was all pass shooting too... you can't have days where the decoy all the time. So you just don't take shots past 35? Do you seriously get them to decoy pretty regularly? Do you take 50 yard shots? It would be nice to hear you expand on that. 👍 Happy hunting. Birds are finally getting here.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Hey Cameron, I don’t think I have ever said I always decoy them, but if I did I apologize cuz that’s just not reality. Over the years I’ve prob taken a few shots at 50 yards but majority of them time it’s 40 or less. The reason you hear me say 35 yds. a lot in this video is because that’s the distance Jim Müller uses for this choke

[@roblacitinola866]

The best pattern video Iv'e seen yet... Well done Titus!! Thank you for your service!!!

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@lotahitchanova]

ordered passing and ufo. Late fall birds are further out. Great video!

[@mikhailrochester7272]

Question for you. On the podcast Jim mentioned a slower FPS. Hevi Bismith that you shoot and so do I. At 1450 FPS is the pattern holding down range and not spreading to far? I hope I phased this correctly.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Bismuth does open up quicker

[@flannelcommander]

This is the video that convinced me to buy muller choke. But a new shotgun needs a new choke 🤷‍♂️

[@austinevans3718]

Which one do you have?

[@flannelcommander]

@@austinevans3718 I have all 3 muller chokes for waterfowl. Decoy, passing and UFO. Ended up buy two sets for my Benelli and Baretta.

[@austinevans3718]

@@flannelcommander which one do you use for your 20/40 yard marsh shots.

[@flannelcommander]

@@austinevans3718 Decoy.

[@austinevans3718]

@@flannelcommander do you shoot steal?

[@HarryRuffner-h5t]

Titus, great video. Now that waterfowl season is over, do you still prefer Mullers' Decoy choke as your go to choke or have you changed your mind after shooting Mullers' Passing choke?

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Still loving the decoy choke

[@jacobfarley824]

Ive already bought muller chokes for my 12 gauges....I was wondering if the Franchi affinity 3 20 gauge had any problems with cycling on light loads? If it does which loads have you had problems with?

[@johnleager3457]

It will have cycling issues with light loads, you have to go through the break in period then it’s golden

[@jacksimms8671]

Thank you!! Excited to try myself. I just have to shoot up four cases of 1550 so I can buy some 1300 😂

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

😂😂

[@mattwaldronoutdoors]

Excellent video/info 👍🏼

[@jacobfarley824]

Does the Franchi affinity 3 use the beretta mobil choke system?

[@shadyroids]

Yes

[@SomewhereInWisconsin]

Listened to the podcast today. Glad to see this up already. Great results.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Very good

[@jimw8239]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing

[@leviayala9810]

Great video, just like your podcast it was very informative!

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Thanks!

[@jayneup4776]

Need that ufo choke

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Why? Honestly asking. I thought that at first too but after this pattern I don’t see the need. Not to say I’ll never try it

[@jayneup4776]

I wanna give them far birds all the smoke 😂 I mainly diver hunt and most my shots are passing on the outside of long lines anywhere from 40-60yds so that extra range helps tremendously.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

@@jayneup4776 fair enough 😂. Give ‘em the beans I always say. Seriously, for your situation it makes sense

[@bretthenderson6135]

Well listened to both podcasts and was convinced and even more convinced now. Jim sounds like a super nice guy as well! Should shoot great out of my 20 sx4

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Very nice! Can’t wait to see what it does on the birds

[@austinevans3718]

You getting the passing or decoy?

[@jeremymiller4714]

amazing my job Would hope to see more people do test like this and see how it comes out.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

I’ll be doing more with other types shotguns, different ammo and Müller chokes

[@turkeyhunter7617]

Good video 👍👍🦆🦆

[@TreanorBuiltLLC]

You still gonna do this test with the passing choke?

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Yes at some point in the off season

[@CaptGus]

Well done

[@wayne_vt]

Definitely going to grab some of those patterning targets, they look great!

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

They are!

[@NorCalFarmboy530]

Welp guess it’s time to do up the A5

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Yep. Same here

[@justinhuddleston2303]

Great video! I would like to see that decoy choke at 35 with one shot to see if there are any holes in the pattern.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Thanks. You could just pause the video after the first shot and screenshot it to see

[@justinhuddleston2303]

@@MidValleyMercenaries I have a carlson cremator long and medium for my franchi affinity 3.5 12 gauge right now. They work very well with most ammo. I'm thinking about giving them to my oldest and getting the muller set. How would you compare the two.

[@joshuaeck2712]

Very cool video. I got a muller decoy choke as well this year. But it doesn't pattern as good as yours does. It's very open by comparison.

[@cdotsbot3898]

Same here

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Which could totally make sense depending on what gun you’re shouting and the constriction of your barrel itself. Barrels will vary from .720 to .775 depending on maker

[@joshuaeck2712]

@@MidValleyMercenaries I'm not sure what mine is. I'm shooting a Remington v3 waterfowl pro. From before they when bankrupt

[@joshuaeck2712]

@MidValleyMercenaries I just looked it up. And review article on it says my bore is 732

[@Badgers1013]

Had bad pattern experience with a passing choke. His chokes have shown to not be statistically better. Lots of hype. They work for some but not all. Carlson's gave best patterns with bismuth out of about 10 chokes for me

[@davidmar7610]

Two years ago my Carlson choke came out of my Weatherby 20 gauge while dove hunting in early morning. I shot maybe approximately 15 more times not knowing choke was gone and the sound was off. Shooting Winchester steel 7s. Well looking down the barrel with flashlight I saw nothing but smooth bright steel where the threads use to be. Got sent back to Weatherby and got it rethreaded. My personal experience.

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Interesting but if you think about what you just said though, the choke came out, so obviously the threads were already messed up correct?

[@benlee7758]

@@MidValleyMercenariesyeah clearly he blew his threads out, I’ve heard of it happening if you get some dirt or mud stuck in there and the pressure blows the choke out

[@davidmar7610]

No, brand new gun purchased at Sportsman warehouse and never shot. There was residue from Weatherby test fire at factory. I’m thinking either I didn’t clean the grease out of the threads or I didn’t tighten it well enough. My mistake. Shooting at opener so too dark to realize choke had come out. Anyway, even if threads were messed up from Weatherby, how do I explain the barrel threads completely bent into barrel such that it looked like a smooth barrel?

[@benlee7758]

@@davidmar7610 bc your choke blew out and ripped the threads😂

[@MidValleyMercenaries]

Yep

[@NeilNork]

here is a test for you. im not being a dick. my cz woodcock 20 gauge and competition choke comp n choke light modified . 17000ths bore .626 and steel federal speed shok # 2 at 1550 fps shot at a 12x12 inch target at 60 yards and had 21 hits in the 12x12 inch target. choke diameter .609. is a goose slayer. klamath falls oregon, area Bonanza Oregon. 60 yards. thankyou for for reading this sir. much respect Neil