Difference in 30 yrds and 40 yrds

[burke0428]

So i just got done pattering about 4 different shells and had some great numbers. They were shot at 30 yards instead of 40, which i read a lot of guys pattern at 40. Its 12 ga 3"-3.5" and all lead shot, in #5 and #6. So my question is what percentage or what number of pellets do you loose in the 30 to 40 yard distance change? I was getting in the 160-190s inside a 10" circle at 30 yrds. Will i loose 50% or more like 25% of pellets that were in the circle? Hope you guys can help.

[BrowningGuy88]

You will lose as much as 50% at 40. Most all combos look awesome at 30, but at 40 you start seeing drastic differences.

The percentage fall off of lead is why 40 yards has been a long established maximum range.

[BandedSpur]

Really hard to say, and you really need to shoot at 40 to see. But lead patterns fall off dramatically from 30 to 40. Very few guys consistently beat 100/10 at 40 with lead. A few rigs will do 120, but most fall to around 100 or even a bit less.

[burke0428]

Thats what i was figuring, i was reading one thread and the nitros went from the 200 range to about the 50 range. I will pattern a few at 40 and see what happens but like you said 40 is the max. I hope to call them in closer than that!

[Matt81302]

Definitely go back to 40 and shoot if you can. A few years ago I was patterning several different shells. I shot a remington shell, not sure which one, at 25yds and it actually shot a big hole in the paper because the pattern was so tight. I couldn't believe it. I was telling myself, "this is the one". I stepped back to 40 and the pattern fell apart so much I might have had 30-40 hits with several holes the size of my fist in the pattern.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Your pattern at 30, isn't as good of an indication of success at 40, as your pattern at 35 is. 

But 40 IS 40. 

I like to check at 30, 35, and 40.  30 for POA / POI.  35 to see what's happening between 30 and 40, and lastly 40.

[Longshanks]

I have had numerous Pb loads that would turn great patterns at 30yds but deteriorated so bad at 40 that I would not be comfortable taking the shot. Best bet would be find a pattern that will turn 100+ @ 40 and it will be a killer at 30-35 and give you a little extra yardage if you need it.

[VooDooMagic]

Thats what i was figuring, i was reading one thread and the nitros went from the 200 range to about the 50 range. I will pattern a few at 40 and see what happens but like you said 40 is the max. I hope to call them in closer than that!

"I hope to call them in closer than that!" 

best way I know of to improve your pattern...

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Funny how almost everything looks great at 30 Yards, and most look good at 35 Yards, but 40 is a hill to climb.

[R AJ]

Funny how almost everything looks great at 30 Yards, and most look good at 35 Yards, but 40 is a hill to climb.

It is very difficult to make a rifle out of a shotgun; about thirty yards was the long shot in days of lead, especially for those who didn't have a full choke. They still brought turkeys back to camp.
They hit golf balls a lot farther today than they did in the 60's but the scores are about the same.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

My 40 Yard Lead patterns are better now, than my 35 Yard Lead patterns were when I first started trying out guns, chokes, and loads.

Progress can be made.  Better shells make a huge difference, and then better Chokes improve upon that.