From the shooting I have done and from what I have seen from my friends patterns here are the numbers I think are good hunting patterns for lead in the 10" at 40yds.
3"
4's - 90-100
5's - 100-115
6's - 120-130
3.5"
4's - 110-120
5's - 115-130
6's - 140-160
Thoughts?
I get around 100-110 with 3" 6's at 40 with my 870.Although I usually dont shoot a bird that far,I have and would not be afraid to do it again with that setup.if you are getting the numbers you posted,I'd say you are golden.
An evenly spaced 95 to 100+ hits in a 10" circle, with nice even 15" to 20" coverage is absolutely great. Any better is really just cake and ice cream.
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on March 25, 2011, 08:47:09 AM
An evenly spaced 95 to 100+ hits in a 10" circle, with nice even 15" to 20" coverage is absolutely great. Any better is really just cake and ice cream.
+ 1
You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.
At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.
If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.
Quote from: RAJ on March 26, 2011, 08:33:26 PM
You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.
At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.
If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.
Robert don't you mean 80-100 pellets in a ten inch circle?
Quote from: RAJ on March 26, 2011, 08:33:26 PM
You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.
At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.
If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.
I agree. If I could get 100 lead 4's in a 10" circle @ 40 yds I wouldn't entertain the thought of shooting anything else! Those #'s seem a tad on the high side from what I have experienced but I won't say it's impossible.
Quote from: JBIRD22 on March 26, 2011, 10:23:10 PM
Quote from: RAJ on March 26, 2011, 08:33:26 PM
You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.
At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.
If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.
I agree. If I could get 100 lead 4's in a 10" circle @ 40 yds I wouldn't entertain the thought of shooting anything else! Those #'s seem a tad on the high side from what I have experienced but I won't say it's impossible.
I was looking through some older patterns (2009) a couple of hours ago. I found one that I am quite proud of.....
• Using #4 Pb, @ 30yds, I put 34 pellets in a 3" circle, and 127 pellets in an 8" circle.
I used a Mossberg® Mdl 500C 20ga 26" barrel w/a Hastings® .570" (#I20570) choke. The load was Winchester® Supreme® High Velocity 20ga 3" Mag 1200fps 1 5/16oz #4 (#STH2034) Lot# C3YK02.
My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would. I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer.
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 27, 2011, 08:15:50 AM
My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would. I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer.
I'm sure it is with #'s like that. That's sick for #4 lead!!!
Quote from: JBIRD22 on March 27, 2011, 05:57:32 PM
Quote from: Tom Foolery on March 27, 2011, 08:15:50 AM
My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would. I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer.
I'm sure it is with #'s like that. That's sick for #4 lead!!!
Actually I think that is a very
HEALTHY pattern myself, especially for a 20ga.
Sick = extremely good in today's lingo... ;)
Quote from: JBIRD22 on March 27, 2011, 09:21:13 PM
Sick = extremely good in today's lingo... ;)
Forgive my misunderstanding as I am an Auld Phart (61). Regards
No prob... :icon_thumright:
Old Gobbler is even expanding vocabulary now. :z-guntootsmiley:
I think 120-140 is outstanding with lead 6s. 4s and 5s will hardly ever come close to 6s IME. Give me a consistent 120 shooter and the birds are in big trouble when they break 45yds.
I always looked for atleast 110 in 10" circle with #5s. Best I did was a 1 5/8 oz reload at 1185 fps with 143 pellets in 10 ", this was a mossberg 835 with Carlsons .675 choke. This load averaged 127 pellets, best patterning factory loads for me were Win H.V. , the 835 handles H.V. loads well for me.
My best ever Lead pattern was 116 in 10" at 40 Yards with 3" 1.75 Ounce, Win Sup HV #5's, in an 870 with a 28" barrel, and an Indian Creek .665 choke. I get nice even 35 Yard patterns shot after shot, but sometimes I only get 90 in 10" at 40 Yards. But still, I'm talking about 90-116 3" #5's.
90-110 with #4's
120-140 with #5's
140-160 with #6's
in my 835 are good enough #'s for and turkey out there