Question about re-patterning a gun.

[deerbasshunter3]

I had my shotgun patterning well last year, and killed a nice bird at about 35 yards. When I removed the sight to clean my gun, I got to thinking about how it would affect the sight I had. I realize that I will need to shoot it again, but can I assume that it will perform the same as last year, given the same ammo?

What I am getting at is if I sight it in at 20 yards, should I expect it to have the same good patterns/spread at 40 as it did last year?

I hope this makes sense...

[nyhunter]

It will be very close, But if it were me I'd shoot it at 40 just to make sure. Now keep in mind sometime the "same" shells don't pattern the same numbers wise from box to box lot# to lot# etc etc.... From my experience even the lower numbers still have plenty of pellets to cleanly kill a gobbler at 40yds. so dont get caught up in the numbers game.

[owlhoot]

Makes perfect sense . Start sighting at 20 , then sight and pattern at 40. Shooting is always good for practice and confidence ! You could even shoot some at 30. Check your patterns at 20 and 30 to make sure they work for hunting purposes . Your patterns will be close as already stated.

[deerbasshunter3]

I used Long Beard #6 last year. I see no reason to change.

[deadbuck]

I would skip the 20 yard and just shoot 40.

[allaboutshooting]

It's very easy to see just where the core of your pattern is at 20-25 yards. When I am sighting-in a new gun, scope, choke, shells, etc. I shoot at 25 yards first. I've found that if I can get it just right at that distance, it will take little if any adjustment to be on target at 40 yards. "just right" being the key words. If you're off just a bit at 25, it can be much more at 40.

It's also a very good idea to know just what kind of pattern your combo shoots at different distances. If you sight-in at 20-25, a shot or two at 30-35 is also a good idea. Being comfortable and confident with your hunting set-up is so important. Practice at different distances may also help you to judge the distance of a shot when you're hunting.

Being able to judge the distance of a bird and knowing just how you and your gun perform at that distance can help you decide to either take the shot, try to call him closer or if he won't come in, let him walk. Any of those decisions, make for a successful hunt.

Thanks,
Clark

Thanks,
Clark