Author Topic: Patterning (Read 7328 times)

HoofsandWings · « **on:** February 07, 2009, 07:42:07 PM »

How many shots should I take at 40 yards per each load/choke combo? I talked to the range master and found a way to pattern within the range rules.
What diameter target should I be using to test my patterns?

Thanks

strutnrut1984 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:01:46 PM »

hi hoof , i dont usually by targets for patterning all ever use is a paper plate tacked onto a 2ftx 2ft square of cardboard. then i outline my forearm and fistonto the plate which is about the size of a good toms headand i color it in for realistic, u can usually tell your pattern with a few shots. are u using a scope?

jackelope · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:08:58 PM »

i usually shoot as many rounds as it takes for me to decide that i have a good pattern...usually just a couple.
i buy targets but thanks to strut i think i will be making my own. i have never thought about that.
i shoot 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards just to make sure i cover the bases.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:13:27 PM »

I've been playing with chokes alot lately and have decided that a light full and a full are the best ones for me.

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:47:41 PM »

I think that you can download a target off the national board. Let me see if I can find a link for you

MuleyontheWall · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2009, 08:22:44 AM »

We are heading out today to pattern the girlfriends new 870..I've always just taken two or three shots with each combo..and this is just me but I like having the turkey targets and replace it after each shot, that way what i do is write on the bottom of the target what each shell and choke was in the gun so at the end i can have them all sitting there and compair to decide which one worked out the best..

yelp · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2009, 10:40:23 AM »

Start with a 4'x4' piece of plywood and a large enough piece of paper to see pattern. I need to know where each combo hits to pick the best pattern/shot/choke combo for any particular gun. This will limit the amount of ammo you go through. Also patterning can be hard on the shoulder. Also I always pattern gun from the ground like I hunt. I use a chair and a tree or truck tire to back up against. It is also critical to see where your patterns hit to adjust the AIMPOINT or fiber optic sights (if you use them). My favorite is the tri-viz by hi-viz. I use them to dial the gun in so I know exactly what is going to happen to that turkeys head. Decapitation is the name of the game. Ethically harvesting that tom. I also like to practice shooting out to 50+ yards just to know which combo is effective at those ranges to. There is nothing like a state record Longbeard hanging up at 50 yards and you second guessing whether you can make the shot or not. Ethically however it is better to pass if you aren't comfortable and then you can chase'm the next day.

jackelope · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2009, 12:48:41 PM »

i'm also using the tri-vis sight...it's the way to go. maybe a scope or aimpoint when i get a new gun.

muleysgirl13 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2009, 03:04:37 PM »

muleonthewall and I did my 870 this afternoon and after about 2-3 shots of each different ammo it was pretty easy for us to tell that one was SIGNIFICANTLY better then all the others. I still did about two more shots with each but it still came out the same. I was using the same choke the whole time. We had pretty good sucess and it was actually the cheaper of all the loads we had tried. Every gun is different though.

Gutpile · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2009, 03:08:20 PM »

I use two shots per load. I like the turkey targets for patterning but they are not necessary. Like others have said you know right away which loads shoot better than others.

I pattern at 40 yards for a 12 ga.
30 for a 20 ga.

hornhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:08:49 PM »

One of those EXTRA FULL Turkey chokes is not a must unless you plan on taking 60-70 yard shots. Any closer and the pattern is so small you can miss real easy. Any FULL choke is just fine. 3" #5 patterns great through several guns my friends and I have shot. My

Gutpile · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:15:56 PM »

Quote from: hornhunter on February 10, 2009, 09:08:49 PM

One of those EXTRA FULL Turkey chokes is not a must unless you plan on taking 60-70 yard shots. Any closer and the pattern is so small you can miss real easy. Any FULL choke is just fine. 3" #5 patterns great through several guns my friends and I have shot. My

Well, I somewhat agree but I have yet to meet ANYONE who missed because the pattern is too tight at short range and I know MANY people who have missed at 30+ because the pattern is not tight enough. Also NO turkey choke/load combo will get you 60-70 shots.

In turkey hunting and other things I say the tighter the better.

hornhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:52:06 PM »

Gut,

Sure there are plenty of load /gun/choke that will get you out to 60-70. Im not shooting that far, but YES it is possible.

Gutpile · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:57:19 PM »

Not consistantly

ICEMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2009, 06:34:17 AM »

Quote from: hornhunter on February 10, 2009, 09:52:06 PM

Gut,

Sure there are plenty of load /gun/choke that will get you out to 60-70. Im not shooting that far, but YES it is possible.

Wow, where did you see that? 60-70yard ethical shot range? I would love to read about that....sounds just too far to me... Any links you can provide?

Gutpile · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2009, 07:45:08 AM »

I know. The standard is 40 yards. Some guys stretch it a bit to say 50+ but 60 - 70? I think not. My max is 40 but I have killed one dead at 45. OH, that was with a rangefinder.

Wacenturion · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:06:01 AM »

Quote from: hornhunter on February 10, 2009, 09:52:06 PM

Gut,

Sure there are plenty of load /gun/choke that will get you out to 60-70. Im not shooting that far, but YES it is possible.

WHAT...........................

hornhunter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:07:49 AM »

Hey ICE

Read my one lined post throughly, I clearly state "IM NOT SHOOTING THAT FAR" No I dont think Its a ethical shot. It can be done. Ive shot that distance on a target with one of those stupid Jelly head extra full Turkey chokes. It puts enough pellets in the zone to kill a turkey. But, like I also said those chokes are not for me. I had one for 1 season and missed a bird at 20yrd. It was a confidence thing for me I felt the choke messed me up. The only other time I missed is when I used 3 1/2 shells, I flinched anticapating the recoil. im just shareing my experience, Ive never missed with the 3 #5 shot full choke combo. I think there is a primos video from like 5 years ago that they show a soda can they shot with that same choke at I think 70 yrds. Ill have to look through my library and find it for ya bud!

Horn

hornhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:10:39 AM »

Quote from: Gutpile on February 11, 2009, 07:45:08 AM

I know. The standard is 40 yards. Some guys stretch it a bit to say 50+ but 60 - 70? I think not. My max is 40 but I have killed one dead at 45. OH, that was with a rangefinder.

I bet that bird hit the ground no problem at 45 yrds

Gutpile · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:11:18 AM »

I think we call this a "pissing match"

Gutpile · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:12:23 AM »

Quote from: hornhunter on February 11, 2009, 08:10:39 AM

Quote from: Gutpile on February 11, 2009, 07:45:08 AM
I know. The standard is 40 yards. Some guys stretch it a bit to say 50+ but 60 - 70? I think not. My max is 40 but I have killed one dead at 45. OH, that was with a rangefinder.

I bet that bird hit the ground no problem at 45 yrds

It did.

hornhunter · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:13:55 AM »

ICEMAN · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:09:32 AM »

Quote from: hornhunter on February 11, 2009, 08:07:49 AM

Hey ICE

Read my one lined post throughly, I clearly state "IM NOT SHOOTING THAT FAR" No I dont think Its a ethical shot.
Horn

Yeah, I did see that....was just interested in learning more. Occasionally duck hunting when I put in a kill shot on a bird in the water, I am amazed at how far a shot can actually travel. Scary. I was just interested in learing more of the impact at longer range.

hornhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:28:40 AM »

http://reviews.cabelas.com/8815/226487/reviews.htm

Here ya go Iceman.

Intruder · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2009, 01:00:45 PM »

When verifying loads I usually shoot at 15 and 40 yard marks the most. I may take 1 or 2 shots.... don't usually need more than that. I want to insure that my load/choke work well in the zone that accounts for 90% of birds. Once I'm comfortable that the load works at those ranges I back a target out there and see what it'll do max. I've generally seen things start to thin out around 45 yards. It weird... 2 - 3 yards can be night and day sometimes.

Bofire · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2009, 12:30:07 PM »

I shot 1 shot at 20 yards and 1 at 40 yards per load per choke. 9 inch pie plate with a little felt pen gobbler head stenciled on. In my 11-87 not one 3.5 inch load patterned well at 40 yards with any choke. my best were a 2.75 inch magnum load of #6 in a full choke and a 3 inch load of #5 in a modified choke. I tried 5 different loads, with 3 shot sizes in each choke.
All the loads blasted the 20 yard target 40 yards was the difference. None of the super full chokes, that I have, performed well in that gun.
I just got an 870 SPS-T so I will be doing some new experiments soon.
Carl

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Author Topic: Patterning (Read 7328 times)

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