shot pattern

[gobblinfever]

I shot a shell at 20 yards today and patterned awesome. Didn't shoot at 25 but was wonder I if it made a big difference in my pattern by 5 yards

[mfd1027]

I doubt you'll see much difference in 20-25 yd. patterns.   Have you shot it at 40?   That's what most folks pattern at.  You'll see a lot more pattern abnormalities at that shot distance. 

[gobblinfever]

I doubt you'll see much difference in 20-25 yd. patterns.   Have you shot it at 40?   That's what most folks pattern at.  You'll see a lot more pattern abnormalities at that shot distance.

yea got 45 pellets in neck and head area at 40

[mfd1027]

Sounds like you're in good shape.   If you want to shoot again just to be sure set up a big piece of paper like a 3x3 and shoot at a dot.  After you shoot circle the densest portion of the pattern with a 10" circle.  If your dot isn't in the center of the circle (probably won't be) you've got some sight adjusting to do.  Also, count the number of hits in the 10" circle.   As a general rule of thumb you want at least 100 pellets in the circle and you want the hits evenly spaced without any big holes in the shot pattern.   100 is a minimum but most decent shotguns with a good aftermarket choke will shoot 150- 200 hits in a 10" circle.  I know it sounds a little complicated but it's not.   There's tons of info here in the gun section and online.  Just google shotgun patterning.   

[learn2hide]

Sounds like you're in good shape.   If you want to shoot again just to be sure set up a big piece of paper like a 3x3 and shoot at a dot.  After you shoot circle the densest portion of the pattern with a 10" circle.  If your dot isn't in the center of the circle (probably won't be) you've got some sight adjusting to do.  Also, count the number of hits in the 10" circle.   As a general rule of thumb you want at least 100 pellets in the circle and you want the hits evenly spaced without any big holes in the shot pattern.   100 is a minimum but most decent shotguns with a good aftermarket choke will shoot 150- 200 hits in a 10" circle.  I know it sounds a little complicated but it's not.   There's tons of info here in the gun section and online.  Just google shotgun patterning.

X2

       Also check out the patterns section of the forum for more info...if your aim vs impact was pretty good at 40 and 20 when you shot today you are probably OK on the sights with that shell but there can be differences load to load so don't assume...safest bet is to shoot a few options shells/chokes and pick the best performer

[gobblinfever]

Thanks for the info guys