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.
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.
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 ?
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.
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.
