Temperature and Patterning

[PEPPERHEAD]

How much effect does ambient temperature have on a pattern? I want to start patterning some of the new 20 gauges but it's cold down here in Georgia.

[Coop1082]

Not a lot of drop off for me personally. I'm in AL. Shooting a franchi affinity 20 and my hand loads (2 3/4" 1 7/16oz #9.5s) out of a .575 IC choke I typically see 315/220 patterns on warm days above 70 degrees and I actually shot yesterday when it was 41 degrees here and it put up 280/240. Basically it moved just a few out of the 10" into the 20" but my total 20" pattern retention remained practically the exact same.

[mtns2hunt]

I've never noticed a significant difference.

[deerbasshunter3]

I was actually thinking of cleaning and patterning my shotgun next week, but temps will be in the 50s. It will definitely be warmer come turkey season. I am interested to see what others have to say about this.

[Gooserbat]

The warmer the tighter all else being equal.  Now how much varies gun to gun.

[bbcoach]

It has been my observation when patterning, when you pattern at 30-40 degrees, expect a 10% increase at 70-80 degrees.  As others have said, it's not really significant.

[ddturkeyhunter]

I'm hunting SD Black Hills every year opening day and a lot of times with snow on ground and cold. And hunt Mid season in MN, and WI where it can get warm. I wasn't even aware that temperature could make a difference with a shot when hot or cold out. Its really good you are considering all factors when sighting in and checking loads. But if you call a turkey in under that forty yards and miss, you can't blame the gun. Good post I learn something new today.

[Tail Feathers]

I was actually thinking of cleaning and patterning my shotgun next week, but temps will be in the 50s. It will definitely be warmer come turkey season. I am interested to see what others have to say about this.

I live in TX and try to find a day in the mid 50's or 60's (which isn't too hard even in Jan or Feb) because most of our spring mornings are in that range for the first few hours of the day.

[Squidkid]

I know it's an old post but... can we agree that if a load/choke combo out patterns  other load/choke combinations at one temperature ( let's say 40) it will still out pattern them at other temps ( let's say 60 or 70)?

[Dtrkyman]

I've killed turkeys in single digits and in the 90s in the same season!

I honestly have no idea the difference in my pattern in different temps, I just know they kill turkeys in a wide variety of temps!


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[Greg Massey]

I patterned new 20 ga yesterday the temp was 55 deg. and the wind was 5 - 8 mile air.. i think the wind is more of a problem than the temp in my opinion.

[Tom007]

I patterned Wednesday in NJ. 49 degrees. This is typical in April during our season. I agree with Greg that wind is more of a factor.....