Several times hunters have recently commented that their particular shell "patterns real well". I can't help but wonder if any of the commentators have actually shot patterns on paper, figured the percentage, and examined the pattern for uniformity and distribution. Or, naively assume that their Benelli, Beretta, or Browning, (the 3 b's) just shoot perfect because of their make of gun. Or, worse yet, kill a few crows, shoot a tin can sitting atop a fence post, try to shove a dime down the choke of a full choke gun, and conclude that all is perfect.
I have many times ask fellow shooters how their gun patterns with a particular shell they were shooting. Almost always, they answer "Oh it shoots real well", and have have no friggin idea how well it is patterning.
Different shells may shoot differently in any gun, barrel, choke combination. I have proven many times that they do. It is foolish folly to assume your shotgun shoots all shells the same.
I know that I need all the help I can get when I am trying to bust some egotistical, big mouth crow. So, I do my home work and pattern test all shells that I plan to use, and make extensive notes on the results.
The 27 yard handicap trap load that I used to shoot did pattern tighter than the Walmart field & target loads at 40 yards. However, I have been able to kill crows just as high and far with the much cheaper Walmart loads. All I shoot is there 3 dram loads in 7 1/2's or 8's on crows. The box says the muzzle velocity is 1200 feet per second on this ammo.
90% of my shooting is under 40 yards on crows during the season, the other 10% is 50 yards plus.
Here is a crow that is perhaps 50 feet from the muzzle!
The 27 yard handicap trap load that I used to shoot did pattern tighter than the Walmart field & target loads at 40 yards. However, I have been able to kill crows just as high and far with the much cheaper Walmart loads. All I shoot is there 3 dram loads in 7 1/2's or 8's on crows. The box says the muzzle velocity is 1200 feet per second on this ammo.
90% of my shooting is under 40 yards on crows during the season, the other 10% is 50 yards plus.
Here is a crow that is perhaps 50 feet from the muzzle!
We love that "crow snow!"
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"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
I do shoot at paper but don't count pellets. I draw a 10" ring in the middle and a 5" ring on the inside edge of a 30" circle. Whichever shell doesn't have a hot center and shoots the most even pattern and has good pellet count in the 5" outer edge of the circle that's the one I shoot. I like nitro 27s in 7.5 and federal high brass 6s. Gun clubs shoot almost as well and they are cheaper so usually that's what I shoot. Fioche #5s shoot really good but are to expensive for my/crow blood.
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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.
I remember shooting paper before screw in chokes! Then when the screw ins were all the rage I thought it would be one of those fads that would die off like disco. But boy was I wrong! I believed for ever that it was all about the wad. Style and configuration. I still believe it is important. But I will say I have been amazed at the technology and performance of chokes. They never cease to amaze me at what they can do with a pattern! Its not always about the price either!! I worked with a guy that was related to the young man that started Indian creek chokes. When he first started he made prototypes for all kinds of patterns. I was offered all kinds of them for a fraction of what they cost today. I was a fool. Paid him no attention. Now they are very popular and expensive! That wont happen to me again in this lifetime.....
-- Edited by chip on Tuesday 2nd of February 2016 02:43:30 PM
