BigHugMug

New gun means a trip to the pattern board. Trying to diagnose issues live fire is difficult and frustrating.

All the answers to your questions are at the pattern board. There are a lot of variables that can send you down the wrong rabbit hole if you are not systemic in your testing. Going to the range to try and decide if you have made a positive adjustment can be confusing. Everything from shell characteristics to your point of aim...it may not be the gun.. Order some "shotgun pattern" targets online and make sure you know where you are aiming and where your shot is hitting. Bring several different brands and velocities of shells. I would say start with a Full choke and decide on a shell then start on chokes. One shot each target, exact same point of aim each time. My M2 prefers Federal Game Shok 1290fps.. Your pattern should be 60/40. What that means is 60% of the shot should hit above point of aim and 40% below, that's optimum. Good luck and have patients. Stay away from the range until you and your gun are happy..