I worked up some loads last night for a friend and myself to shoot squirrels. These are 1 3/8 oz of 5's at 1200 fps. These patterns were fired from Benelli M-1 with factory Imp. Mod. choke at 40 yards. The circle is 30". Four of the five were consistent and the one low count "is what it is". I did not cull it as I wanted a representative sample and if you going to show the good, you should show the bad also.
I took a couple of samples of the shot and weighed out 100 grains worth and then counted the pellets and came up with 41 pieces per 100 gr both times. I weighed the shot and power charges in all 5 shells. The were 246 pellets per 1 3/8 oz load. All 5 shots averaged 198.2 strikes per shot for a percentage of 80.6. The most impressive part about these patterns to me is how hot the core is. Draw an imaginary circle at 15" (or half way between the bulls-eye and the big circle) and look at how thick the strikes are.
I can't stand to see leftovers go to waste so after squirrel season I foresee these being used on crows!
I worked up some loads last night for a friend and myself to shoot squirrels. These are 1 3/8 oz of 5's at 1200 fps. These patterns were fired from Benelli M-1 with factory Imp. Mod. choke at 40 yards. The circle is 30". Four of the five were consistent and the one low count "is what it is". I did not cull it as I wanted a representative sample and if you going to show the good, you should show the bad also.
I took a couple of samples of the shot and weighed out 100 grains worth and then counted the pellets and came up with 41 pieces per 100 gr both times. I weighed the shot and power charges in all 5 shells. The were 246 pellets per 1 3/8 oz load. All 5 shots averaged 198.2 strikes per shot for a percentage of 80.6. The most impressive part about these patterns to me is how hot the core is. Draw an imaginary circle at 15" (or half way between the bulls-eye and the big circle) and look at how thick the strikes are.
I can't stand to see leftovers go to waste so after squirrel season I foresee these being used on crows!
The following are in order they were shot.
Those are some great patterns! I love 5's Have you ever tried any after market extended chokes in that Benelli?
The application of your time and interest in patterning your gun is commendable, and should be done by all shotgun shooters. I have been doing this very thing for about 50 years! I doubt if 10% of the crowbusters fraternity have ever patterned their gun. Sad.
Anyway, I would like to know which wad, brand and hardness of shot (chilled or magnum), and powder and amount you used for these test. Also, which empty shell case you used.
Did you actually measure the distance you shot the patterns from the muzzle of your gun to the target? This is paramount, as some shooters don't know 20 yards from a light year!
The application of your time and interest in patterning your gun is commendable, and should be done by all shotgun shooters. I have been doing this very thing for about 50 years! I doubt if 10% of the crowbusters fraternity have ever patterned their gun. Sad.
Anyway, I would like to know which wad, brand and hardness of shot (chilled or magnum), and powder and amount you used for these test. Also, which empty shell case you used.
Did you actually measure the distance you shot the patterns from the muzzle of your gun to the target? This is paramount, as some shooters don't know 20 yards from a light year!
Good Day,
Kencrow
Hey Ken,
The recipe is from the Hodgon Reloading Data Center. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp The recipe I used was as follows with NO knockoff substitutions and all OEM components. The hulls were once fired STS and Nitro 27.
Shell:
2 3/4" REMINGTON STS, NITRO 27, OR GUN CLUB PLASTIC SHELLS
Load Type
Gauge
Shot Wt.
Powder
Primer
Wad
Powder Wt. (Gr.)
Pressure
Vel. (ft/s)
Lead Shot
12
1 3/8 oz.
SR 7625
Rem. 209P
Rem. RP12
24.5
10,800 PSI
1200
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS
The shot is Lawrence Brand Chilled Lead Shot # 5. It weighs out at 41 pellets per 100 Grains +/- .5 grains.
I have a pattern board and range set up in my back yard. I have shot between 200 - 300 rounds at that pattern board since crow season closed in Feb of this year. The measured distance between the board and the back of the gun rest is a measured 121' 3". I have a high quality and highly accurate laser measuring device I use to do take offs at work. That measurement puts the muzzle about 119' 8" from the center of the board.
Each round that was pictured had the powder (24.5 gr) and shot charge (600 gr) weighed (not metered) . I am very confident I can produce similar and consistent patterns such as these shown using the same recipe. My MEC throws very consistent powder and shot charges.
Hey, I was as surprised as anyone that it patterned the way it did and was pleasantly surprised.
The average pellet strike was 198. I took the pattern that had 197 strikes and measured the 15" core and found 86 strikes in the core. That put 43.7% of the shot in an area that is only 25% of the total pattern. That make for a HOT CORE! That is an average of one strike per 2.05 square inches in that 15" circle at 40 yards. Ain't NO Squirrel Gonna Survive Dat!
-- Edited by 8fishermen on Thursday 21st of July 2011 08:24:51 PM
-- Edited by 8fishermen on Thursday 21st of July 2011 08:25:59 PM
__________________
"If money can fix it, it ain't broke" The great theologian and my crow hunting partner AW.
I'm impressed "8" That is impressive with a mod to boot. I shot some 2 an 3/4 mag five factory loads last year that a guy gave me. You should have seen what they did on them reluctant and educated high flyers. I'm kickin myself now for shooting the shells cause they were older plastic super XX shells that were borderline antiquers. I would love to see that load of yours shot at 40 yards with a jellyhead Bet you would'nt see much of that orange dot
The 50 yard results were 121, 134, 134. First shot was aimed high as I thought there would be more drop that there was but was less that 10% off from the other two. 52.7% with a little core density.
The 60 yard results were 90, 79, 91. 35.2% with no distinguishable core.
Looking at the patterns, a 50 yard shot on squirrels is a high percentage shot. 60+ would be doable for crows and I will carry some for long cripples.
__________________
"If money can fix it, it ain't broke" The great theologian and my crow hunting partner AW.
I used to shoot 1 1/4 oz. of #5s at tree rats and wabbits. I did kill several crows with them also. They were factory high brass winchesters or remingtons. PMC used to make a low brass 1 1/8 oz. load of #5s, but havent seen them in a couple of years now. I loved those PMC loads. They shot a very even pattern out of my old M1 with an extended carlson mod. choke. I always pattern my gun if I try something new, but if Im gunning with standard equipment I dont cause it has already proven its self. 90% of the time I use the same combo for crows. But I like to experiment. Those are good looking patterns and a crow wont be able to fly through them.
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A SUPER 90 and a crow in range, life is good. A good sandwich and bag of M&Ms doesnt hurt either.
M12 When we were forced to shoot steel, I think it was 88 or 89 I don't remember I was one of the guy's that would not except it, I shot reloads and always kept em hid in a knot hole in a tree in all my favorite holes. The very first steel loads they came out with were horrible, I have no idea how many ducks I crippled at 25 yds with them things. I loved my # 5 copper coated reloads, man I used to stomp them ducks way up there. Blu dot powder, red AA wad in a blue peters hull 1 3/8 ounce of copper 5's. Thats what he meant by back in the day
I was one of the guy's that would not except it, I shot reloads and always kept em hid in a knot hole in a tree in all my favorite holes. The very first steel loads they came out with were horrible, I have no idea how many ducks I crippled at 25 yds with them things. I loved my # 5 copper coated reloads, man I used to stomp them ducks way up there. Blu dot powder, red AA wad in a blue peters hull 1 3/8 ounce of copper 5's. Thats what he meant by back in the day