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Post Info TOPIC: Favorite pattern density


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Favorite pattern density
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What is your favorite pattern density to crow hunt with? After extensive pattern testing over the past two years, I have concluded that mine is 55% at 30 yds. Fifty-five percent gives a dense-enough, and open-enough pattern to be what I feel is very effective. I try to shoot crows between 25 and 35 yards distance, with a possible average of 30 yards. I am not particular about the shot size, but I always use No. 7.5 or 8. Either size is very good at this average distance, and I would not be handicapped with No. 9 shot. 

Comments?

KenCrow



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Not sure if you are a member or not, but if you are check out the "Shotshell Selection" links under "Advanced Techniques". There are stats and images by Skip Woody that are really helpful. Good hunting.


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Ken, I haven't got down to the nitty gritty of my pattern density although during the off season that will be done. I put my 1100 aside because it hit's low even after a barrel change. I got a winchester SX3 with the invector - plus choke system. Just a tad high at 25 yards and it throw's a super nice pattern. I've been switching from modified to imp. cyl. chokes & i'm leaning towards the imp cyl since it seems to be getting up close and personal shooting. I also break the rules & shoot #6 shot most of the time although i have put out a bunch of 7.5's. The 1100 was a workhorse but this SX3 is a real pleasure to shoot, lighter, less recoil, no malfunctions as of yet and best of all my shooting has improved. What choke are you using to get your 55% @ 30yds ?

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My favorite pattern density is the next one that hits a flying crow   On a serious note a 55% pattern at 30 yards would mean you are shooting a gun with no choke at all, cylinder bore.  Although a 12ga cylinder bore is adequate to 30 yards you are handicapping yourself on shots or potential shots at ranges longer than that.  I do not believe that #9 shot has any place other than a skeet field.  Over the years I have found lead 6 to be much more effective on crows than smaller shot sizes when the loads have 1100 to 1200 fps muzzle velocity.  If I had to pick one choke and load for crows it would be a gun shooting around 60 to 65% at 40 yards (Modified) and lead #6 at 1200 fps.  As they say to each their own, but if you haven't shot lead 6 at that fps on crows try it and see what you think for yourself.



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Light modified or IC for run and gun and most shooting. Full in the spring when cover is lacking and shots will be on the far side.

Ted

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KenCrow,

 I shoot #6’s and #7.5’s. I prefer #6’s. I’m working on perfecting a reload of 1 1/8oz #7’s. I pattern everything at 40 yds. and like 65-70% on target at that range with a modified choke.   

  1 1/8oz of #7.5 @55% will likely get you acceptable coverage at 30yds. That’s about 217 pellets on target. In a perfect world they come in one at a time, a guy never misses and all shots are taken inside 35yds. However, I’m with NH in thinking that pattern will be pretty thin at 40+.   My world isn’t perfect, so I need to make 40+ yd. shots more than I’d like.   

 

 For me, an ideal crow load would be 1 1/8oz of #6’s @ 1250fps with an even spread of 175 pellets on target @ 40 yds. They’d be $50 a flat. But that’d be asking too much.

 It all comes down to conditions, situations and preferences. 

 

 Randy

 



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