We all want at least 200 pellets at forty :z-flirtysmile3: But is there any "gold" standard as far as how much is enough? Likewise how much can or should it vary between lead, hevi and heavyweight shot? And lastly how much does shot size effect the standards?
Enough for me is 100+ in the 10 at 40 every shot.
I stopped at 135 average with the 20 gauge.
I said enough with the 935 at lead. I still have to nail down a good choke for it, but I am breaking 120 every shot with 5's and more with 6's. That is plenty.
If I want more than that the 10 gauge will come out with Mag Blends, HWT 7's or Nitro's.
I am done chasing huge numbers. It is costing too much $$$ that I can use on other hobbies.
I would say 90% of all turkeys that I kill are in the 20-30 yrd range. If i consider myself a good turkey hunter, I should not worry about the 40 yrd bird.... All my shells and choke are designed to cleanly shoot 40 yrds but how much have I sacrificed for the 15-20 yrd bird
that might present itself. it is one thing to draw a bead on an approaching bird and squeeze off an easy head shot, but the excitement of a bird coming in around you or multiple birds coming in that limit my movement argues for a less tight pattern than a maxi-tight 40 yrd pattern.
I like my tight patterns, but I dont want to go overboard.
Quote from: archdriver on March 12, 2013, 03:20:20 PM
I would say 90% of all turkeys that I kill are in the 20-30 yrd range. If i consider myself a good turkey hunter, I should not worry about the 40 yrd bird.... All my shells and choke are designed to cleanly shoot 40 yrds but how much have I sacrificed for the 15-20 yrd bird
that might present itself. it is one thing to draw a bead on an approaching bird and squeeze off an easy head shot, but the excitement of a bird coming in around you or multiple birds coming in that limit my movement argues for a less tight pattern than a maxi-tight 40 yrd pattern.
I like my tight patterns, but I dont want to go overboard.
My feelings exactly.This is why I normally dont pattern a whole lot at 40.I think one time in the last 25 yrs i've killed exactly one bird over/at 40 yds.99% of my hunting takes place in the timber or small fields/clearings.I do however understand the reasoning for guys who hunt fields alot to have tight shooting guns to 40yds or a tad more.I dont want baseball sized patterns at 15-20yds where a lot of my shots are.Good even 10" and 20" killing patterns is what i'm after,and I really think thats what people should strive for more,patterns to match the area/style that they hunt as opposed to a magical 40yd number
Here is my current setup and even this compromises my own feelings....
I guess there are always compromises with any set up. and here I am telling myself that
I can handle the close shot, just so I can have a decent chance at the stubborn long bird.
Well I will say one thing about 200 shot 10" patterns that your overall 20" pattern will be more evenly spread out and look overall better than if you put 300 shot or more inside your 10' core.
I have shot patterns that had a good 10"-13" core, and then not much else. I have also shot patterns that looked good out to 20". I prefer the forgiveness of the latter. He can bob his head all he wants to. There's no escaping 20" of pellets.
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on March 12, 2013, 07:44:40 PM
I have shot patterns that had a good 10"-13" core, and then not much else. I have also shot patterns that looked good out to 20". I prefer the forgiveness of the latter. He can bob his head all he wants to. There's no escaping 20" of pellets.
Thats what I'm talkin about!!!I'd rather have a little fringe on my pattern to compensate for the bob and weave head than a pattern that will completely remove a head off a bird............
IFyou hit it!!!
Thats what I'm talkin about!!!I'd rather have a little fringe on my pattern to compensate for the bob and weave head than a pattern that will completely remove a head off a bird............IFyou hit it!!!
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^That pretty much sums it up for me right there..