patterning shotguns

billhilly7 · 01-25-2008, 10:27 AM

hey yall,
as far as shotgun hunting goes, i have always been one to ask a lot of people questions and form opinions and make decisions based upon that. Now i am planning on finally actually patterning my guns and finding out what works best the "scientific way". I am planning on finding the best load/choke combo for pheasant, waterfowl, and turkey predominantly and depending on how that goes i might investigate a little further for different game. So far my variables are effective spread, range, payload, shot size, choke tube, length of shell, and type of shot (lead, steel, etc.). i am planning on patterning at 40 yds for the most part. If anyone has ever done this before and can either walk me through a good process or has any tips on loads to try or any other info in general it would be well appreciated.

lefty o · 01-25-2008, 10:45 AM

dont worry too much about the scientific mumbo jumbo associated with patterning. your looking for a few things when you pattern. first you are finding you point of aim/impact - different chokes and loads can affect your point of impact. the other main thing your looking for are large holes in your pattern, if you have big holes you need to try a different load, or choke tube. patterning shows you a 1 dimensional view of a 3 dimensional thing, so dont take it too seriously.

ArkansasHunter · 01-25-2008, 10:55 AM

I really can't help you to much but the first thing I would do is leave the shotgun you have as is 1st. and buy a few box'es of different shotgun shells. Geez how hard would that be and see which is best.
Apparently you intend to spend some money, so if your not satified with how your shotgun shoots after testing different shotgun shell loads it's then time to research different chokes.
It's that simiple and from reading your post you already know what to do.
Members here can tell you what works best in there guns but they may not in yours.
Please go to the manufacture web sites and see what they have to offer for a given game and go from there.
Thats about the only advice most anyone can give you.
And when your done an extensive range report would be very nice to share with us...A.H

mleist · 01-31-2008, 03:49 AM

What kind of gun do you have?

samuel · 01-31-2008, 04:21 AM

The advice above is great.The one thing I would add is listen to some of the propaganda about power pistons and how fast they can be stopped once they leave the bore.They are lighter than shot and tend to fly faster just long enough to mess up a patern.Usually that is what makes holes in the pattern.I use the shells that the (as Billy would say)"little plastic thingy",goes the least distance. sam.

mleist · 01-31-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

The advice above is great.The one thing I would add is listen to some of the propaganda about power pistons and how fast they can be stopped once they leave the bore.They are lighter than shot and tend to fly faster just long enough to mess up a patern.Usually that is what makes holes in the pattern.I use the shells that the (as Billy would say)"little plastic thingy",goes the least distance. sam.

i just baught a new choke called a PatternMaster,im sure alot of you have heard about them, but they are kinda expensive but i have shot a full choke with my gun for ducks and geese and could only shoot about 40 yards or so, since i have gotten the PatternMaster i can drop ducks and geese at about 65-70 yards now and my pattern is alot tighter then the full choke, plus it has little "things" at the end of the choke that slows the "wad" down and improves the accuracy of the shot. im very impressed with it and would recomend it to everyone that wants that little bit extra distance on their shots.

Oxford · 01-31-2008, 08:57 AM

billhilly7...Yes, I patterned my Browning Sweet Sixteen which had a "Poly Choke" installed.

Here's the technique used:

-Find a source of inexpensive butcher wrapping paper which is about 36" wide and tear off lengths of about 36" each.

-Attach them to something about 50 ft away. You may want to use a longer distance...as long as all the pattern penetrates within the paper's borders.

-Use each "Poly Choke" setting and aim at the exact middle of the sheet. (Don't allow for wind or distance, etc.)

-Mark each sheet by listing distance, wind condition, choke setting, and any more factors which you can identify.

-And finally, observe where the pellets hit. Note how the pattern was affected by the wind. Note which direction the wind was from. Note what type of shells were used, and then draw your own conclusions regarding which choke works best for you.

This is far from a scientific patterning test...but it's a practical way to learn about your gun's performance using a choke.

-

PistolCity · 01-31-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxford

billhilly7...Yes, I patterned my Browning Sweet Sixteen which had a "Poly Choke" installed.

Here's the technique used:

-Find a source of inexpensive butcher wrapping paper which is about 36" wide and tear off lengths of about 36" each.

-Attach them to something about 50 ft away. You may want to use a longer distance...as long as all the pattern penetrates within the paper's borders.

-Use each "Poly Choke" setting and aim at the exact middle of the sheet. (Don't allow for wind or distance, etc.)

-Mark each sheet by listing distance, wind condition, choke setting, and any more factors which you can identify.

-And finally, observe where the pellets hit. Note how the pattern was affected by the wind. Note which direction the wind was from. Note what type of shells were used, and then draw your own conclusions regarding which choke works best for you.

This is far from a scientific patterning test...but it's a practical way to learn about your gun's performance using a choke.

-

Whoa you got a Browning Sweet 16? Finaly found one of them at a shop a few months I almost loaded up everything I had to go try and make a trade. Someday, my friend, Somday I will own one to.

nevjohn · 01-31-2008, 10:37 AM

Finally got out to the range this morning to pattern my recently bought (6 mos ago) Mossberg 835 Turkey 12ga. This shotgun has a 20 inch batrrel and will accept 3-1/2 inch loads. It uses fiberoptic sights.

Loads were Dead Coyote 2-3/4 inch "T" and Federal 3 inch "00" shot.

Chokes used were the Carlson 'Dead Coyote' .660 and the Mossberg X-Factor Turkey Full .695 that came with the gun.

I set my target board out 40 yards and used a sandbag rest to shoot off of. The target board was made from 4'x3' 3/4 inch plywood using a PVC base for mounting.

First patterning target was using the Mossberg choke and using 1 round of each load. As shown in the first picture, the black dots are the DC load, and the squares are of the 00 load.

Second patterning target was using the Carlson DC choke, with 1 round each. Dead Coyote "T" load is shown in squares, with plack dots as the 00 loads.

I am interested in just what you fellow coyote shotgunners think of these patterns.

Future patterning will be using #4Buck and "BB" loads. To me, the Mossberg choke seems alot tighter than the DC choke. This maybe due to the short barrel length of 20 inches verus a standard 24 inch barrel, not sure. Hunters Specialties has a .705 choke for the 835, which I may try and see if that makes the pattern tighter more.

John

ArkansasHunter · 01-31-2008, 11:40 AM

Hey nevjohn I'm am delighted you came along and posted this !!! I was 99% percent going to buy the same shotgun and at the last minute I sprung for the Mossberg 930 semi-auto Turkey shotgun which does not have the overbored barrel like your 835 pumpaction and the 935 semi-auto.
Mine came with a turkey choke and I bought the Imp, cylinder, modified and full.
I have shot my Mossberg with all the chokes except the imp. cylinder and it patterns wonderfully too.
I would like to buy the same configuration shotgun as yours except I prefer the new 535 ATS model in black synthectic stock/ matteblack barrel.
Heres a picture of the 535 model Mossberg.

I want one of these !!! Dead gum I thank this sumbuck is perty !!!!!!!!!!

nathangdad · 01-31-2008, 05:09 PM

I totally advise you to pattern your shotgun with all the chokes available to it and especially to pattern it with the ammunition you plan to use on you next hunt. I have seen many people simply blast away at pheasant with no idea of their pattern. Congratulations on taking a course of action that will pay off in the field. It will put game in your bag.

01-25-2008, 10:27 AM	#1
billhilly7 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 107 Trader Rating: (0)	patterning shotguns hey yall, as far as shotgun hunting goes, i have always been one to ask a lot of people questions and form opinions and make decisions based upon that. Now i am planning on finally actually patterning my guns and finding out what works best the "scientific way". I am planning on finding the best load/choke combo for pheasant, waterfowl, and turkey predominantly and depending on how that goes i might investigate a little further for different game. So far my variables are effective spread, range, payload, shot size, choke tube, length of shell, and type of shot (lead, steel, etc.). i am planning on patterning at 40 yds for the most part. If anyone has ever done this before and can either walk me through a good process or has any tips on loads to try or any other info in general it would be well appreciated.

01-31-2008, 08:57 AM	#7
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 12,981 Trader Rating: (0)	billhilly7...Yes, I patterned my Browning Sweet Sixteen which had a "Poly Choke" installed. Here's the technique used: -Find a source of inexpensive butcher wrapping paper which is about 36" wide and tear off lengths of about 36" each. -Attach them to something about 50 ft away. You may want to use a longer distance...as long as all the pattern penetrates within the paper's borders. -Use each "Poly Choke" setting and aim at the exact middle of the sheet. (Don't allow for wind or distance, etc.) -Mark each sheet by listing distance, wind condition, choke setting, and any more factors which you can identify. -And finally, observe where the pellets hit. Note how the pattern was affected by the wind. Note which direction the wind was from. Note what type of shells were used, and then draw your own conclusions regarding which choke works best for you. This is far from a scientific patterning test...but it's a practical way to learn about your gun's performance using a choke. - __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right".

01-31-2008, 10:37 AM	#9
nevjohn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Central Calif. Posts: 4 Trader Rating: (0)	Mossberg 835 patterning Finally got out to the range this morning to pattern my recently bought (6 mos ago) Mossberg 835 Turkey 12ga. This shotgun has a 20 inch batrrel and will accept 3-1/2 inch loads. It uses fiberoptic sights. Loads were Dead Coyote 2-3/4 inch "T" and Federal 3 inch "00" shot. Chokes used were the Carlson 'Dead Coyote' .660 and the Mossberg X-Factor Turkey Full .695 that came with the gun. I set my target board out 40 yards and used a sandbag rest to shoot off of. The target board was made from 4'x3' 3/4 inch plywood using a PVC base for mounting. First patterning target was using the Mossberg choke and using 1 round of each load. As shown in the first picture, the black dots are the DC load, and the squares are of the 00 load. Second patterning target was using the Carlson DC choke, with 1 round each. Dead Coyote "T" load is shown in squares, with plack dots as the 00 loads. I am interested in just what you fellow coyote shotgunners think of these patterns. Future patterning will be using #4Buck and "BB" loads. To me, the Mossberg choke seems alot tighter than the DC choke. This maybe due to the short barrel length of 20 inches verus a standard 24 inch barrel, not sure. Hunters Specialties has a .705 choke for the 835, which I may try and see if that makes the pattern tighter more. John Last edited by nevjohn; 01-31-2008 at 10:46 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-31-2008, 11:40 AM	#10
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,504 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey nevjohn I'm am delighted you came along and posted this !!! I was 99% percent going to buy the same shotgun and at the last minute I sprung for the Mossberg 930 semi-auto Turkey shotgun which does not have the overbored barrel like your 835 pumpaction and the 935 semi-auto. Mine came with a turkey choke and I bought the Imp, cylinder, modified and full. I have shot my Mossberg with all the chokes except the imp. cylinder and it patterns wonderfully too. I would like to buy the same configuration shotgun as yours except I prefer the new 535 ATS model in black synthectic stock/ matteblack barrel. Heres a picture of the 535 model Mossberg. I want one of these !!! Dead gum I thank this sumbuck is perty !!!!!!!!!! Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 01-31-2008 at 11:43 AM.

01-31-2008, 05:09 PM	#11
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,253 Trader Rating: (0)	Excellent thought I totally advise you to pattern your shotgun with all the chokes available to it and especially to pattern it with the ammunition you plan to use on you next hunt. I have seen many people simply blast away at pheasant with no idea of their pattern. Congratulations on taking a course of action that will pay off in the field. It will put game in your bag.

01-25-2008, 10:45 AM	#2
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,691 Trader Rating: (0)	dont worry too much about the scientific mumbo jumbo associated with patterning. your looking for a few things when you pattern. first you are finding you point of aim/impact - different chokes and loads can affect your point of impact. the other main thing your looking for are large holes in your pattern, if you have big holes you need to try a different load, or choke tube. patterning shows you a 1 dimensional view of a 3 dimensional thing, so dont take it too seriously.

01-25-2008, 10:55 AM	#3
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,504 Trader Rating: (0)	I really can't help you to much but the first thing I would do is leave the shotgun you have as is 1st. and buy a few box'es of different shotgun shells. Geez how hard would that be and see which is best. Apparently you intend to spend some money, so if your not satified with how your shotgun shoots after testing different shotgun shell loads it's then time to research different chokes. It's that simiple and from reading your post you already know what to do. Members here can tell you what works best in there guns but they may not in yours. Please go to the manufacture web sites and see what they have to offer for a given game and go from there. Thats about the only advice most anyone can give you. And when your done an extensive range report would be very nice to share with us...A.H

01-31-2008, 03:49 AM	#4
mleist Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 15 Trader Rating: (0)	What kind of gun do you have?

01-31-2008, 04:21 AM	#5
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,050 Trader Rating: (0)	The advice above is great.The one thing I would add is listen to some of the propaganda about power pistons and how fast they can be stopped once they leave the bore.They are lighter than shot and tend to fly faster just long enough to mess up a patern.Usually that is what makes holes in the pattern.I use the shells that the (as Billy would say)"little plastic thingy",goes the least distance. sam.