Aight guys, I've got a patterning question...

[Hooksnhorns]

Does 56 degrees w/ moderate drizzlin rain have a negative effect on patterns?  I shot my 870 sm w/ 3" thugs #6, 3" win 1-3/4 oz 6s ( blk box), and 3" 1-3/4 oz 5s (grey box) today and they shot 65-71 in 10" @ 40. I'm gonna try 3-1/2" shells when I get my hands on some, hoping the numbers will increase. What do y'all think? I'm hoping the inclement weather was holding me back. Any info is appreciated. Oh yea, that was a 23" bbl and a 655 GT.

[the Ward]

I don't think the rain was helping ya.I haven't ever tried it but  anything that disrupts the shot like wind,rain,cold dense air will wreak havoc on your patterns.I would try again on a dry day no wind and a little warmer temps and your numbers will probably come up quite a bit.....ward

[Hooksnhorns]

Thnx brother. I'm gonna do just that.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

The temp as compared to 70 degrees the answer would be yes.  The light rain the answer is no.  I have shot in a light rain and pattern remained the same. 

[the Ward]

Also you might want to check out Allaboutshootings article on deep cleaning your bore.That should help your patterns too.Then when your patterning,try brushing between shots,it will help with consistency.I like to brush  and run a patch with alchohol on it between shots,that helps alot too.Good luck!

[Hooksnhorns]

Yea, I've got a 1/2" wooden dowel rod I wrap 0000 steel wool around the end of and spray wd-40 on and down the bbl that I put in a drill and clean before season every yr. I usually run a brush w/ wd-40 sprayed on up n down the bbl and swab then run a boresnake thru after each shot.

[the Ward]

Cool,let me know how it goes when you get a chance to pattern it again on a good day!...ward

[Hooksnhorns]

Aight y'all, I got a box of 3.5, 2, 5s win blk box blk shells today. It was warmer n sunny and this combo done good. I got 112 in 10 @ 40. I think I may try some 3.5 6s when I find some. Y'all think that's aight for 5s? I know they put a whoopin on that pc of tin. They put big dents and a BUNCH of tears and small holes in the dents. You could tell that it has a lot more a$$ than the 6s. What do y'all think, stick w/the 5s or try the 6s?

[the Ward]

112 in the 10" with 5's will get 'er done.I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with that.The 6's would probably increase your 10" numbers a bit,just for the fact that there's more of them,but what your getting with the 5's will work fine.And they carry some nice energy to boot!Good luck,hope you get a nice bird this season!....ward

[Hooksnhorns]

Thnx man, I killed one last Sat  10", 1-1/16, 20.4#  But I've missed two before I got him. They ain't gobblin much down here yet. I've called in 7 longbeards to within 50 yds, and only heard 3 gobble. I'm gettin to shoot a lil this yr. I've been callin em up for folks a lot the past 4 yrs. So I've had a good season so far. Good luck brother.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

A real good clean and polish will help.  Shoot the biggest piece of cardboard or paper you can find, and look for your best 10" circle, and then draw another 20" circle around that 10" circle. 

A cross wind, or a gust of wind, or heavy rain, or really cold weather will hurt your pattern numbers.  A light drizzle, not too much.

[Hooksnhorns]

A real good clean and polish will help.  Shoot the biggest piece of cardboard or paper you can find, and look for your best 10" circle, and then draw another 20" circle around that 10" circle. 

A cross wind, or a gust of wind, or heavy rain, or really cold weather will hurt your pattern numbers.  A light drizzle, not too much.

I cleaned it pretty good, but I've never polished it. It shines like a mirror, but I'm sure a polishin would help. I shot a pc of tin bout 30"x approx. 36" and circled the best 10" part.