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Patterning a Shotgun
#1818161
11/09/10 07:46 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 93
duckcentral
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 93 |
What is the procedure that most of you guys use?
Then what is your deciding factor on choosing a load?
Never have done a controlled test and looking to try and see what shells work best for my gun. I can definitely see a difference between shells when I shoot birds but never put them to the paper.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: duckcentral]
#1818655
11/09/10 10:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278 |
Shoot at a big hunk of paper or cardboard...
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Fooshman]
#1818681
11/09/10 10:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359
Old_School
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359 |
Last year's Christmas left over gift wrapping rolls,pinned to a pallet etc. Label each pattern with choke, range, and shell info. Roll it up and save it to compare later patterns.
I don't know about others, but I can make out a pattern when dove hunting if the sun is right...("oops, I lead him two feet to far"). My brother can't see 'em, but I have helped him get used to leading birds by watching his pattern and telling him how to adjust his lead.
Basically, you need to know what your pattern is doing at the range you are taking game. Knowing which choke does what at a certain range can make a difference. I swapped my IC for a Mod while dove hunting this year because the birds where coming in high. Made for better kills.
Last edited by Old_School; 11/09/10 10:26 PM.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Old_School]
#1818697
11/09/10 10:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,504
DSP56
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,504 |
How far back do y'all stand from the target to pattern your gun?
If I had a big horse pistol like that , I would'nt be scared of no Booger Man! - Rooster Cogburn
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: DSP56]
#1818706
11/09/10 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,934
#Hayraker
Chihuahua
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Chihuahua
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,934 |
#sigline
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: DSP56]
#1818707
11/09/10 10:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 400
denton
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 400 |
I pattern at 40 yds, but i make sure pattern is acceptable (not too tight) at 20 as well.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Old_School]
#1818717
11/09/10 10:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,642
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,642 |
Last year's Christmas left over gift wrapping rolls,pinned to a pallet etc. Label each pattern with choke, range, and shell info. Roll it up and save it to compare later patterns. That’s a good idea. Maybe drive a nail in a tree so you can hang the pallet at eye level. For each shell, I would do 25 yards, 35 yards, and 45 yards using IC and Mod choke. With this test you would need 6 of each shell you want to evaluate. Draw a 30 inch circle, count how many pellets land in the circle.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: DSP56]
#1818720
11/09/10 10:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359
Old_School
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359 |
Try it at ranges you shoot birds... 20 yrds, 30, 40, etc. For geese, you should try 50, maybe even a 70 yrd for sky busting. If your pattern is too diffuse at a given range, don't shoot past that range. Wounding a bird to have it flutter away and die a slow death is not sportsmanlike IMO. I will chase a wounded dove to finish it, even if I have to knock on doors to get permission to pursue it.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Guy]
#1818916
11/09/10 11:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359
Old_School
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359 |
Last year's Christmas left over gift wrapping rolls,pinned to a pallet etc. Label each pattern with choke, range, and shell info. Roll it up and save it to compare later patterns. That’s a good idea. Maybe drive a nail in a tree so you can hang the pallet at eye level. It will be a good idea until my wife starts wrapping presents this year. Back on topic... the best way to determine how effective your pattern is in a hunting situation is to make a silhouette of your game to scale and place it in the middle (or make a master and trace it on) of your pattern paper. You need 4 - 6 pellets on a dove for instance. I have killed them with one pellet, but that's not the point of patterning. Hope this is useful to you!
Last edited by Old_School; 11/09/10 11:48 PM.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: duckcentral]
#1819414
11/10/10 02:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 21
AMMO
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 21 |
x2 on the wrapping paper. I start at 40 yards and try different choke tubes and different shot sizes.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Old_School]
#1819685
11/10/10 02:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
Last year's Christmas left over gift wrapping rolls,pinned to a pallet etc. That is so simple, its genius! I bought some butcher paper and was taping together and then to the target stand. What a pain in the arse. Gift wrapping papper.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: duckcentral]
#1821110
11/10/10 05:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359
Old_School
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,359 |
A bunch of guys in camo, buying gift wrapping. That's gonna raise some eyebrows.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Old_School]
#1822180
11/10/10 10:05 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
A bunch of guys in camo, buying gift wrapping. That's gonna raise some eyebrows. Not so long as the paper is Moss-oak or Realtree.
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Hopedale]
#1822237
11/10/10 10:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594
Featherduster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594 |
whats the size of the paper yall usually shoot at. 3' x 3' or what
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Re: Patterning a Shotgun
[Re: Featherduster]
#1822380
11/10/10 11:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,951
lakewaydr50
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,951 |
Also check with your local shooting club. The club that we shoot at has a 4 foot x 4 foot steel plate about 1/4" thick covered with lithium grease. You shoot the plate, your shot displaces the grease leaving a perfect imprint of your pattern. They have a paint roller and a bucket of grease to cover up your previous test for a fresh start. I was a little skeptical at first about doing this because of deflected pellets but there has been zero issues with that. We do lead and steel on this thing. I usually work all my patterns at 40 yards. Here's and example: This was a Remington 870 w/ Federal Ultra Shok 1-1/4 oz #2 shot, Remchoke Modified tube @ 40 yards....
Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
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