Shot on paper?

[Andrew8235]

Just wondering how many of you have put your favorite shot on paper and if you see any improvement?

[royalhntr]

My brothers and I put all of our shotguns through this test with 4 different rounds of ammo, at 30 40 and 50 yards with a thirty inch circle. It took half a day of shooting. We shoot remington shotguns, an 11-87 supermag, 870's in 3" and 3 1/2" , and a 332 in 3". The barrels were all shot with modified chokes, the 332 was shot out of the mod. lower barrel, and one had a patternmaster choke. We shot all 3" shells in every gun, as we mostly hunt geese over decoys. Heavy shot 2's, heavy steel b's, federal BB's, and remington nitro mag in BB. One of the 870's had a patternmaster which we did not see a difference in pattern density and fliers until we went out to fifty yards, and even then there was only a little difference. The best filled consistant pattern through all ranges was the rem nitro mag BB's out of the 332 over/under. This round patterned well out of all guns. It was nice to see what our guns were doing, and that each gun performed differently with different rounds. The best thing you can do is get out a try it yourself.

[Special T]

There are directions on here how to "lap" your shotgun barrel with a scotch brite pad to improve your pattern. I have yet to do it, but once i do i will test a few loads out.

[h2ofowlr]

I have papered many loads through various chokes. Found that many times the less expensive shot pattern and shoots as good as the more expensive stuff.  Cost difference must be in marketing expenses! 

[BOWHUNTER45]

H2O ------              WHY ARE YOU DO BEAR HUNTING ? prime time son!!!!!

[hdshot]

I believe a shooter gets better results of what they like on the line shooting clays.  Shooting paper doesn't give me the feel of the pattern.  Can't tell what shape the pattern is from the side view, pancake or egg which gives more depth.  I tried the patter master on the line and I was dusting them more than the conventional chokes. Out in the field I can hear more pellets coming up from behind the pattern and hitting the bird as well on longer shots making for more clean kills on birds just on the outer edge of the spread. Also head shots are more common since I feel my pattern is streamed out like water out of a fire hose.  To me shooting paper with a shotgun is like trying to sight in a scope on your rifle on flying clays.           

[WSU]

I have.  Shot 4 different loads of 3" ounce and a quarter 2's.  Federal premium was best, followed closely by Experts.  Mostly, not a big difference, and ducks die if they are within 30 yards. 

[Tealer]

There are directions on here how to "lap" your shotgun barrel with a scotch brite pad to improve your pattern. I have yet to do it, but once i do i will test a few loads out.

I would be careful doing that at home. A difference of +\- .001 can be huge. If you take more off in one area then another you may have a problem.

[wraithen]

If you can do actual damage with a scotchbrite pad to the inside if the barrel, buy a better barrel that isn't made out of wood 

[Tealer]

If you can do actual damage with a scotchbrite pad to the inside if the barrel, buy a better barrel that isn't made out of wood 

You can do damage with a Q tip if your not smart about it. I have had more then a few barrels tuned by gunsmiths.

[BigGoonTuna]

i finally patterned my gun about a week ago, and was very surprised with what i found!  i've been having a hell of a time making contact on ducks, even at close range.  shot the typical loads i've been using for waterfowl, and found that i got a really nice pattern out of a full choke.  the kicker?  it's a foot low and a foot to the right of my point of aim.  fired several shots and it was consistent.

i decided to try and bust a few clays with those duck loads afterwards(i couldn't seem to break them worth a damn with steel), actually aiming low and to the right, and busted them easily.  i don't like having to think about my point of aim with a shotgun, so it looks like i'm going to be in the market for a new gun this season...

[Tealer]

i finally patterned my gun about a week ago, and was very surprised with what i found!  i've been having a hell of a time making contact on ducks, even at close range.  shot the typical loads i've been using for waterfowl, and found that i got a really nice pattern out of a full choke.  the kicker?  it's a foot low and a foot to the right of my point of aim.  fired several shots and it was consistent.

i decided to try and bust a few clays with those duck loads afterwards(i couldn't seem to break them worth a damn with steel), actually aiming low and to the right, and busted them easily.  i don't like having to think about my point of aim with a shotgun, so it looks like i'm going to be in the market for a new gun this season...

A gunsmith can fix that.

[Mr56Jeep]

i finally patterned my gun about a week ago, and was very surprised with what i found!  i've been having a hell of a time making contact on ducks, even at close range.  shot the typical loads i've been using for waterfowl, and found that i got a really nice pattern out of a full choke.  the kicker?  it's a foot low and a foot to the right of my point of aim.  fired several shots and it was consistent.

i decided to try and bust a few clays with those duck loads afterwards(i couldn't seem to break them worth a damn with steel), actually aiming low and to the right, and busted them easily.  i don't like having to think about my point of aim with a shotgun, so it looks like i'm going to be in the market for a new gun this season...

Mind if I ask what the make and model is?

[Special T]

I think with a shot gun some of the best money spent can be with a gunsmith that can fit your stock to you so that when you throw the gun up to shoot it is naturally aligned with your POV. 

[Skagit_Hunter]

I'm with H20 on this one. 3" Expert Kills any bird within true range with stock mod choke tube.
But if your pass shooting 3" hevi and full choke. But your success rate will be way down with more crips flying to die a ugly death.

[BigGoonTuna]

i finally patterned my gun about a week ago, and was very surprised with what i found!  i've been having a hell of a time making contact on ducks, even at close range.  shot the typical loads i've been using for waterfowl, and found that i got a really nice pattern out of a full choke.  the kicker?  it's a foot low and a foot to the right of my point of aim.  fired several shots and it was consistent.

i decided to try and bust a few clays with those duck loads afterwards(i couldn't seem to break them worth a damn with steel), actually aiming low and to the right, and busted them easily.  i don't like having to think about my point of aim with a shotgun, so it looks like i'm going to be in the market for a new gun this season...

Mind if I ask what the make and model is?

870 wingmaster, that i bought new in 2009.

the more i play with the old ones, the more i regret buying one new.

[Stilly bay]

Just wondering how many of you have put your favorite shot on paper and if you see any improvement?

I think far too many people skip this incredibly important part of hunting/shooting.  too many people wait until their numbers cripples or missed birds start piling up before doing any kind of diagnostics.

if you don't know what your gun is doing with the ammunition you feed it; you are throwing away money and it is potentially poor conservation.

on a side note, try patterning your shotgun on a MOVING pattern board. the results will really open your eyes to how our scatter guns work.