Pattern help(pic heavy)

[asmith]

Hey all.  I had my daughter out patterning her 20 guage shotgun, getting ready for youth turkey.  Can yall tell me which one looks better to you.  The first 4 pictures are all at 40 yards.  The last two pictures where what I thought had the best pattern, so we did 40 yards(left) and 30 yards (right).  Let me know what ya think.

Don't know why all my photos go sideways when I put them on here.



40 yards left, 30 yards right

[RadSav]

Are you sure that is not 30 yards right and 40 yards left?

[asmith]

Are you sure that is not 30 yards right and 40 yards left?

Yes, sorry.  I had it right in the top paragraph, lol.  It's fixed

[northwesthunter84]

I would shoot the triple beards (solid density) and put bead 2"' right or on the beak if the head is turned that way, at 30 . cover the head with bead at 40 that way you add a little elevation.  Either way you guys should not have a problem dumping a bird

[jrebel]

Either will get the job done!!  Can't wait till see pics of a big Tom in her hands.   

[Ridgeratt]

Either round will work, Looks like she might have flinched a bit on the 2nd round. If you have her aim where the pretty part ends and the ugly part starts if she flinches she will still be Mony!!

[270Shooter]

The hevi shot triple beard would be my choice. It will retain energy better and hit harder. Also patterns well for a 20 at 40 yards. I would not recommend shooting past 40 yards though.

[sakoshooter]

Isn't it pretty obvious?

[asmith]

Thank yall for the input.  I have to agree the hevi shot looks better at 40 yards, but at 30 yards I think the cheap remington nitro is a bit better.  32 pellets in the circle versus 30.  But that all could also be shot placement.  Either way, those two look good.  Shell get some more practice in on Thursday, then again at bearpaw on friday.

[jkthomps]

Good luck! Keep us posted on the hunt!

[sneakyjake]

No offense, but aim for the base of the neck.   Pattern this way and practice this way or miss birds.  You will pull the shot a little when the time come otherwise.

[RadSav]

No offense, but aim for the base of the neck.   Pattern this way and practice this way or miss birds.  You will pull the shot a little when the time come otherwise.

I agree! 

Also, it doesn't look like you have a real turkey choke on that gun.  Is that right?  If so that might explain the heavy shot grouping better as the factory full is a steel full not a lead full.

What gun is she shooting?  I have a 20ga Jellyhead choke that fits Benelli/Beretta/Franchi that I could have to you next day if you wanted to borrow it.  I think Bearpaw has one at the house that will fit Remington 870/20ga.

[tonymiller7]

I would say the top picture had a better pattern, she just needs to hold a littler higher at 40 and she would have a bunch of pellets in the head/neck area.

[asmith]

No offense, but aim for the base of the neck.   Pattern this way and practice this way or miss birds.  You will pull the shot a little when the time come otherwise.

I agree! 

Also, it doesn't look like you have a real turkey choke on that gun.  Is that right?  If so that might explain the heavy shot grouping better as the factory full is a steel full not a lead full.

What gun is she shooting?  I have a 20ga Jellyhead choke that fits Benelli/Beretta/Franchi that I could have to you next day if you wanted to borrow it.  I think Bearpaw has one at the house that will fit Remington 870/20ga.

Yes, her gun had a turkey choke.  It's a jelly head maximum!

[RadSav]

Hmm, OK.  Just seemed a little loose at 30 compared to my 20.  Wanted to have all the details. 

If going over for the youth hunt with Bearpaw I'd say I would be surprised if she will need to take more than a 30 yards shot.  Dale is pretty good at getting those early hunters real close to some very nice birds.  I pass up a lot of shots at 8 and 10 yards over there every year waiting for the birds to get into my wheelhouse.  With the bow I prefer them 17-20 yards out and facing directly away.  Seems every time I decide to shoot them at 8 yards I have to put a second arrow in them as they are running away.  I practice at 8 yards, but bow sighting changes so rapidly with every yard that close.  For a youth with a shotgun those 8-10 yard shots can be tough too.  Pattern is pretty darn tight at that distance.

[Ridgeratt]

Hmm, OK.  Just seemed a little loose at 30 compared to my 20.  Wanted to have all the details. 

If going over for the youth hunt with Bearpaw I'd say I would be surprised if she will need to take more than a 30 yards shot.  Dale is pretty good at getting those early hunters real close to some very nice birds.  I pass up a lot of shots at 8 and 10 yards over there every year waiting for the birds to get into my wheelhouse.  With the bow I prefer them 17-20 yards out and facing directly away.  Seems every time I decide to shoot them at 8 yards I have to put a second arrow in them as they are running away.  I practice at 8 yards, but bow sighting changes so rapidly with every yard that close.  For a youth with a shotgun those 8-10 yard shots can be tough too.  Pattern is pretty darn tight at that distance.

I would guess the pattern is about the size of your fist. that's why a lot of turkeys are missed at the distance. Shoot a pattern and see just how big it isn't