Patterning Question: Pelet Count vs. Pellet Percentage?

[Jayhawkeye]

Is better to have a higher overall pellet percentage or pellet count? 

For example, I have a higher pellet count using #6 compared to #5 loads at 40 yards; however, my #5 loads overall pellet percentage (52%) is higher than the #6 (47%). 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I think the better numbers inside your 10" and say 20" is the way to go vs patten %.  It's kind of like the Hevi-13 3" loads vs the 3.5" Hevi-13  loads(3" 2oz #7's vs the 3.5" 2 and 1/4oz #7's for example); the better pattern by % may be obtained sometimes with the 3" loads, but the 3.5" loads if they give you say 20-40 more hits inside your 10" or even 20 circle then the 3.5" would be the way to go in my eyes. 

[dpittman]

My dad is stuck on the 3.5" Fed FC #5 hvwt and I cant seem to convince him to even try the #7. My point is this. That shell only has 225 pellets in it. He has to shoot 50% efficient patterns just to get 100-110 hits at 40. No matter how lethal those pellets are they are no good if they don't hit it. And only 100-125 pellets to cover the 10-20" leaves a very thin pattern.

[Gobble!]

I would rather have the numbers. 48% of the H13 #7s will be a better pattern then 50% of the H13 #5s IMO

[hookedspur]

I would rather have the numbers. 48% of the H13 #7s will be a better pattern then 50% of the H13 #5s IMO

[Skeeterbait]

number of pellets in the head kills the turkey.  More pellets in a 10 inch circle translates to more pellets in the turkey's head.

[Nimrodmar10]

I'm a firm believer in pellet count also, BUT, the pellets have to be big enough to do the job. I shoot the Nitro 4-5-7 HS loads and the 7s make up a big part of the holes it puts in the 10" circle. Here's the  "but", I've noticed when I throw a turkey up on the tailgate there's a lot of pellets that hit the truck. If you pick the turkey up and shake him, a lot more pellets fall out. These pellets are hitting the turkey but aren't pentrating the feathers. They're not the 4s or 5s, they're the 7s. A hole in the paper doesn't kill turkeys, holes in the turkey do. How many #7 pellets does it take to equal the kinetic energy of a #4 or 5?

[bowhunter84]

I would rather have the numbers. 48% of the H13 #7s will be a better pattern then 50% of the H13 #5s IMO