Choke shell questions

[allaboutshooting]

Thank you Clark.  I really wanted to get the 1 7/8 oz long beards but they were not available.  It was my suspicion that they might deliver more open patterns close but have enough pellets to keep a dense pattern at 40 yards.  My next try will be with LB 1 7/8 #6 as from what I've seen and I think your confirming those might be the ticket.  I just have to find some locally.  Pickens are pretty slim at the moment.

You're welcome. The 1 7/8 oz shell is quite different.

Thanks,
Clark

[allaboutshooting]

This must have something to do with why the Kicks .655 and .660 shoot so well with the Win LB's.

I would say that you are correct sir.

Thanks,
Clark

[Longshanks]

It's a difficult adjustment to make when we start thinking about using tighter chokes to open up patterns. That becomes even more of a challenge when we remember that it's not all about the exit diameter but more about the "Internal geometry" of the choke that influences the pattern, even when we're talking about WLB shells with the resin encapsulated shot.

Shot size and the weight of the charge may also influence the patterns, in what may not be a readily apparent manner. If we look at 3" shells with 1 3/4 oz of shot, my observations, from dissecting a number of shells, shows that the resin capsule on #6 shot is much harder than it is with #5 or #4 shot. I have yet to dissect a shell with #6 shot in which the resin is fractured or can be easily fractured with finger pressure. I do find that to be the case with both #5 and #4 shot.

Looking at 3" shells with 1 7/8 oz of shot, I occasionally find the resin capsule on #6 shot to be partially fractured and/or easily fractured with finger pressure. I also find that to be the case with both #5 and #4 shot.

The 3" shells with 1 3/4 oz of shot and the 3" shells with 1 7/8 oz of shot differ not just in weight of the shot charge and muzzle velocity but in these other ways. I do not know if that is intentional on the part of the loader or just a consequence of the shot size and/or the weight of the shot charge.

Lastly, I've found that every new shotshell presents us with challenges until we learn how it reacts to different chokes. Eventually, with enough rounds down range, we can figure out what works with each of them.

Thanks,
Clark

Thanks Clark,
      I have been scratching my head as to why the Win LB 1 3/4 6's are the most consistent out of my guns. I have had some strange patterns from the 5's that didn't make any sense. Since the 4's and 5's are more easily fractured and could also be fractured prior to the shot is a great explanation. Thanks

[allaboutshooting]

Thanks Clark,
      I have been scratching my head as to why the Win LB 1 3/4 6's are the most consistent out of my guns. I have had some strange patterns from the 5's that didn't make any sense. Since the 4's and 5's are more easily fractured and could also be fractured prior to the shot is s great explanation. Thanks

You're welcome. It seems to make a difference.

Thanks,
Clark