Patterning a shotgun

[jasnt]

Some recent topics of conversation have brought up this question.  Seems a lot of folks don’t pattern their shotguns before taking them on a hunt.  I’m curious if this is the norm? Is it do to no place to do it? No time to do it? Maybe they believe it’s a waste of time and money.   How does hw fit into this puzzle?

[callturner]

Different chokes at different ranges with different loads. It all matters.

[wadu1]

Since I shoot more clay targets than most on here (4-5K a year) I check patterns when changing shells. Depends on what's available, usually Federal Top Gun. I keep my reloading consistent as well develop a good load and stick with it. The only hunting shells I pattern are turkey loads; they need to be more accurate.   

[JBG]

I always wonder, outside of turkey hunting, how shooting at a stationary target and making decisions based of those results translates to shooting at a flying target especially a crossing shot. 

[Oldguy]

My 12gauge duck gun patterns Federal steelbetter with #2 steel shot than it does with #3 steel shot. Less pellets but way better pattern.

[Special T]

I take a piece of scotch Brite, insert it into the patch cleaning rod and use a drill to hone /polish the inside of my barrels. I use ATF for lubricant. It has made every shotgun I use pattern better and I mostly shoot cheap federal or x pert Winchester.

Twin city sportsmen club in Stanwood has a pattern board and butcher paper.

[Henrydog]

I'm with Wadu1, I am a 27yard used to an AA trap shooter who shoots 20k shells a year.  In my mind there are 3 reasons to pattern.  #1 and most importantly is POI.  2, if a choke shoots as labeled.  IE a Browning marked full actually shoots like a mod.  3)  When I reload shells I check out the performance of them before I crank out thousands

Is there a difference between shell performance...yes there is some and it can be measured but I think the biggest issues most causal shotgunners face is their gun does not shoot where they are looking, and thats where the POI come into play.

[MR5x5]

I'm with Wadu1, I am a 27yard used to an AA trap shooter who shoots 20k shells a year.  In my mind there are 3 reasons to pattern.  #1 and most importantly is POI.  2, if a choke shoots as labeled.  IE a Browning marked full actually shoots like a mod.  3)  When I reload shells I check out the performance of them before I crank out thousands

Is there a difference between shell performance...yes there is some and it can be measured but I think the biggest issues most causal shotgunners face is their gun does not shoot where they are looking, and thats where the POI come into play.

This.  I check POI on all my scatter guns then never look back.

[jrebel]

I really only hunt turkey with my shotguns..... and yes, I believe it is critical to pattern your shotgun for these birds.  I have seen drastic differences with shot pattern depending on ammo and chokes.  it will also let you know your effective rang, which is as important as anything.  I have had great luck with cheap ammo.....and the expensive ammo has been hit and miss.  I have also noticed POI changes between guns / site combos so that is another reason I pattern. 

[timberfaller]

IF you don't know where your "pattern" is striking, you won't know how to hold or change it.

Patterning is simple.  Take a four by four sheet of paper or cardboard out to a distance you think you are going to be "hitting" target.

Put a round dot in the center, go back to the firing line, "Aim"(don't point) at the dot and pull the trigger.

Some people like their "pattern" centered, others like 70/30.  70% pellets above dot and 30% below.  Rule of thumb, "birds" are usually flying.

[JBG]

Has anyone here "patterned" their gun while swinging it as if they were shooting at a moving target.  I've always wondered how long that shot string really is or if its concentrated like when you shoot at a fixed patterning board. 

[jasnt]

Has anyone here "patterned" their gun while swinging it as if they were shooting at a moving target.  I've always wondered how long that shot string really is or if its concentrated like when you shoot at a fixed patterning board. 

That probably needs its own thread.  Doesn’t make any difference imo.  Even if it’s 20’ long it’s a few milla seconds between the first bb and the last

[CastleRocker]

I've always patterned my shotguns. 

We've done some informal experiments on that "swinging pattern" too.  Have never done it on paper, but we were having that discussion on whether or not the follow-through mattered as much as some believe, whether on clay birds or real birds on on of those duck days when nothing was flying.  So we took turns swinging and popping of a shot in our pond.  Then go back and just shoot a shot into the water.  If there was a difference, it wasn't much.

Also, I lost a bet years ago on pattern size due to barrel length.  A 34" barrel will shoot a tighter pattern that a 26" with the exact same choke.  Apparently the shot disperses over time, and the longer barrel shoots just a little faster...not a lot, but enough to see a definate difference in the pattern size.

[bearpaw]

excellent video jasnt, I plan to watch the rest in that series when I get time