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.

Shoot at a big hunk of paper or cardboard...

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.

How far back do y'all stand from the target to pattern your gun?

30-35 yards

I pattern at 40 yds, but i make sure pattern is acceptable (not too tight) at 20 as well.

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.

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.

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!

thanks for the info.

x2 on the wrapping paper. I start at 40 yards and try different choke tubes and different shot sizes.

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.

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.

whats the size of the paper yall usually shoot at. 3' x 3' or what

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....