Shotgun patterns

RileyLake

RileyLake

New member
Well, tonight I got out "Ol' Reliable", my Remington 870 Express, and patterned some #4 buckshot. Here's the results: (click on the thumbnails for a larger picture...)



This first target was shot at 30 yards, Remington Express 3" #4 buck, with a regular Remington Full choke. All 41 pellets on the target, good circular, fairly dense pattern shape, I think.





This second target was also shot at 30 yards, but this time with a Remington .665" Turkey Super Full choke. Tighter pattern for the most part, but this tube seems to throw the pattern off to the left a bit. It also looks a bit vertically strung to me, and a bit denser than the regular Full tube. 40 pellets on the cardboard, 1 went AWOL apparently.





This third target was shot at 40 yards, again the same buckshot load and the same Rem Turkey choke. It has opened up a bit, but still shows the vertical stringing and leftward bias on the pattern density. 39 pellets on the cardboard, I think still would be a dead coyote at this range. Not sure what would be left at 50 yards... not much I'm guessing.

How would you guys characterize these patterns? I'm no expert at shotgun patterning by any means, but I think I almost like the pattern thrown by the regular Full tube the best. I ran out of cardboard and daylight, or I would have shot a few more patterns at 40 yards.

What do you guys think?
 
How big is that orange circle? A size reference would be helpful. I like the patterns from the turkey choke best IF you can get them to point of aim. Congrat's on taking the time to actually shoot your gun and chokes. It'll pay off in the field and you can see the importance of patterning by the leftward patterns. If you didn't know this, that could be wounded or missed coyotes. BTW, you might try another choke and/or shell and see how it does. Occasionally, a different shell will pattern to a different point of aim/impact. I really, like the Federal Premium plated No. Four Buck. It has always been a top performing load for me personally.
 
A choke diameter in between those would probably pattern the best. The really tight turkey tubes sometimes will deform larger shot causing them not to pattern tightly at longer ranges. My BPS shoots BB's, 2's and 4Buck really well with a .680 extended tube. Check out the Buck Kicker tube from Kicks Industries.
 
Whoops, sorry, forgot to put that on there... those are 3" target spots. The cardboard measures roughly 30" from top to bottom.

Average spread for both 30 yard patterns (Full and Turkey Super Full chokes) is about 18 inches. Average spread on the 40 yard target (Turkey SF) is about 21-22 inches. Hope that helps!!

I've also got an HS STRUT "Undertaker" choke tube, I think it measures .665 as well... I'll have to try it out with the buckshot and see how it does. Gotta find some more cardboard or big paper or something...
 
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1-800-587-2779 Kicks they also have a web site that is useful too. Just google kicks choke tubes.

You are going to grind up yotes!

Patterning shotguns, you should shoot more than one pattern with the same load to check for consistancy..I shoot multiple patterns of the same load when I get down to the brass tacks.

It is advisable to use a rest to check for point of aim. Those Mags really kick hard, combine that fact with a stiff shotgun trigger and you could easily pull a shot one way or the other.

Don't be surprised at all if a different brand of #4 buck prints completely different.

Make no doubt about it, you are ready to hunt, NOW!!!

thanks for posting your patterns on the board. Your pictures sure do educate a lot of people.
 
OKDave,

I was kind of thinking that too, about a size in between the Full and Turkey Super Full chokes.

I'll have to look up that tube you suggested.
 
Thanks guys, I'm going to make it a point this year to take "Ol' Reliable" with me more often and get into the woods more. I figure if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

I've got a lot of yotes with the 22-250 and my muzzleloaders while deer hunting, but never have got one with the shotgun yet. Hoping to change that this year!

Does anyone else load #4 buck besides Rem and Federal? I can't find anything other than Remington #4bk locally, so if I want anything different, it looks like I'll have to mail order it. Never hurts to get more loads to try.
 


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