Lead numbers

[Ky Gobbler]

Just wondering what would be considered a decent hunting pattern at 40 yards with lead #5 shot? I think I'm getting around 100 in a 10 inch circle, but I want better. 

[jakesdad]

Just wondering what would be considered a decent hunting pattern at 40 yards with lead #5 shot? I think I'm getting around 100 in a 10 inch circle, but I want better.

THAT ^

100 +/- at 40 with lead 5's is pretty dang good.If I could get that I believe I would just stick with it.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Shoot 3 patterns with those #5's, and if all 3 break 100, you've got something.

The best I've gotten at 40 yards with 3" #5's has been 131 in my INV+ BPS, and 116 in my 870, using an Indian Creek .665 choke in each.  That doesn't mean I can get those numbers every time.  The 870 has ran from 90 to 116 with #5's, and I've only shot that one 131 pattern with the #5's in the BPS.

#6's may give you better numbers.  But, if the difference was less than 15-20 pellets, I'd just use the #5's because they hit like bricks.  Or maybe a #6 in the chamber, and a couple #5's in the magazine.

[nate12285]

Like mentioned earlier, anything around 100 is very good.

[Onpoint]

I shot 3 with my .870 and Winchester hv 3" 5's and got 88, 93, and 100. Im stickin with it. I'd like to get a little better but it's a dead bird all day long.

[BrowningGuy88]

I want 130+ out of my 935 with a 3.5" shell. I will hunt with anything that goes over 100 in the 10 ring.

My stepdads 835 will consistently do 140+ with 2.25 ounces of 5's.

[surehuntsalot]

100-120 with lead 5's is a dead bird all day long

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

#5's have Lots of Power for small game, Turkeys, and vermin, plus look at how much money you'll save on shells over time vs. HTL prices.

[R AJ]

Think about how many times you will have a shot well within 40 yards. You have a very adequate pattern at 25, 30 and 35 yards number wise I bet.

The old norm was 80 or approximately one pellet per square inch of surface area.

Do see what 6s do also as they are good to 40 yards as well.

[burke0428]

how in the world do you get 100 hits in a 10" circle? I never really pattern my guns much for turkey. I shoot a lot of ducks and doves and until this year i haven't really gotten all worked up for turkey season. I patterned my Nova this weekend with a few different shells. Im shooting 3" #5 and #6 and 3.5" #6 federals, rem. nitro and all gave me about 60 or so on the target. Im using a tightwad .655 choke and a 28" barrel. Any tips how to improve the shot count inside the 10" circle. I have seen impressive numbers and patterns on here. Can you give the newbie a few pointers.

[BrowningGuy88]

how in the world do you get 100 hits in a 10" circle? I never really pattern my guns much for turkey. I shoot a lot of ducks and doves and until this year i haven't really gotten all worked up for turkey season. I patterned my Nova this weekend with a few different shells. Im shooting 3" #5 and #6 and 3.5" #6 federals, rem. nitro and all gave me about 60 or so on the target. Im using a tightwad .655 choke and a 28" barrel. Any tips how to improve the shot count inside the 10" circle. I have seen impressive numbers and patterns on here. Can you give the newbie a few pointers.

Winchester is the standard for lead or if you can find the old Federals in the blue and gold box they are awesome.  You may have to try a few different chokes to get great lead numbers. I have always like Kick's chokes for lead, but many are good.

I would start with Winchester High Velocity 3.5" 2 ounce #6's and try the tightwad choke. If that doesn't work, call SumToy Customs and tell William what shell and what distance most of your shots will be. That is the best $65 I have ever spent on a turkey rig.

[appalachianstruttstopper]

how in the world do you get 100 hits in a 10" circle? I never really pattern my guns much for turkey. I shoot a lot of ducks and doves and until this year i haven't really gotten all worked up for turkey season. I patterned my Nova this weekend with a few different shells. Im shooting 3" #5 and #6 and 3.5" #6 federals, rem. nitro and all gave me about 60 or so on the target. Im using a tightwad .655 choke and a 28" barrel. Any tips how to improve the shot count inside the 10" circle. I have seen impressive numbers and patterns on here. Can you give the newbie a few pointers.

Make sure you are shooting at a target at least 3ft x 3ft to make sure your poi matches your poa. Alot of times shooting at smaller targets one can assume they have a bad pattern but really the best pattern is somewhere besides the target. I buy a roll of masking paper from my hardware store and staple it to a 5ft x 4ft piece of osb. That gun with that choke should be shootin well over 100 #6' in 10" at 40yds with a 3 or 3.5.

[R AJ]

how in the world do you get 100 hits in a 10" circle? I never really pattern my guns much for turkey. I shoot a lot of ducks and doves and until this year i haven't really gotten all worked up for turkey season. I patterned my Nova this weekend with a few different shells. Im shooting 3" #5 and #6 and 3.5" #6 federals, rem. nitro and all gave me about 60 or so on the target. Im using a tightwad .655 choke and a 28" barrel. Any tips how to improve the shot count inside the 10" circle. I have seen impressive numbers and patterns on here. Can you give the newbie a few pointers.

Check that Tightwad choke again and verify that it says 655 and not 665. I do not know of a 655 Tightwad choke. Tell us your gun and gauge,etc. to better help you . I believe like others that you are shooting at a 10 inch circle  or small  target one.

[Oconeeguy]

Comp-N-Choke in .670 has been my best lead choke so far, shooting BPS invector +. Have patterned lead very little, but I have gotten upper 90s in 10" at 40 yds with that.

[Quax]

After reading this i guess u should have never gotten rid of that Walmart beretta that would do 90 with 3-2-4s with a trulock .650!