Question for the 20 gauge guys - Patterns

[jblackburn]

Ok guys, I'm going to carry my old Revelation 20 gauge (Moss 500 with different name) some this year.  It has a 28inch fixed full barrel.  I patterned today at 30 and 40, laser ranged, (forgot to take pics) with Federal Heavyweigh 6's.  30 was really good, 162 in the 10 inch circle, but 40 was (I think) borderline with 77 in the 10.  I will  have no issues squeezing off one at 30, but how acceptable are those 40 yard numbers.

For what's worth, there was barely a breeze and it was in the low 50s with decent humidify (for eastern WA, at least).

[WyoHunter]

I'd keep it under 35 yards for sure.

[BandedSpur]

Exactly what you said, marginal. One pellet/ sq in will kill turkeys as long as it is evenly distributed (there are 78.5 sq in in a 10" circle). 100/10 has become the de facto standard to compensate for any unevenness in the pattern and for a bit of insurance. Unless you are limited by law where you hunt, I would highly recommend the 7s in that shell. They will increase your range due to much higher pellet count and have energy in spades. The HW 7s hit like a truck...no comparison to HS 7s.

[BowBendr]

^^ Agree. Good post BandedSpur. ^^

[surehuntsalot]

you don't have to have 100 in the 10 to kill a turkey
if the 77 or so has no big holes,I would hunt with it

[jblackburn]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.  Is that a pretty typical drop off from 30 to 40?

[FullChoke]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.  Is that a pretty typical drop off from 30 to 40?

That much drop off in pellet count from 30 to 40 yards is not typical. Something sounds wrong.

Did you shoot the 30 yard shot or the 40 yard shot first? How many shots did you take at each distance? Did you clean the barrel out between shots with something like a bore snake? That kind is discrepancy makes me think that your gun may prefer a slightly dirty barrel as opposed to a squeaky clean one.

I also agree with a previous poster that you would see much better results with the HeavyWeight 7s without compromising effectiveness at 40 yards.

[jblackburn]

Thanks for the feedback, guys.  Is that a pretty typical drop off from 30 to 40?

That much drop off in pellet count from 30 to 40 yards is not typical. Something sounds wrong.

Did you shoot the 30 yard shot or the 40 yard shot first? How many shots did you take at each distance? Did you clean the barrel out between shots with something like a bore snake? That kind is discrepancy makes me think that your gun may prefer a slightly dirty barrel as opposed to a squeaky clean one.

I also agree with a previous poster that you would see much better results with the HeavyWeight 7s without compromising effectiveness at 40 yards.

Started off with a squeaky clean barrel.  First shot at 40, 2nd at 30.  Wife shot it a couple times before it started raining and we packed it up.

[FullChoke]

Started off with a squeaky clean barrel.  First shot at 40, 2nd at 30.  Wife shot it a couple times before it started raining and we packed it up.

Try this. Wipe your barrel dry with either a boresnake or dry patches to remove any oil from the last cleaning. At the range, shot 2 or 3 dove shells through the gun, but not at a target. Dry wipe the barrel out. Using the Federal 6s that you intend to hunt with, shoot at a target at a measured 40 yards. Dry wipe the barrel again and shoot at a target now set up at a measured 30 yards. If I were to estimate, I would expect that you should be seeing 110-130 pellets in 10" @ 40 yards and 150-170 pellets in 10" @ 30 yards. YMMV.

Please keep us in the loop with your results. Good luck.

[jblackburn]

Started off with a squeaky clean barrel.  First shot at 40, 2nd at 30.  Wife shot it a couple times before it started raining and we packed it up.

Try this. Wipe your barrel dry with either a boresnake or dry patches to remove any oil from the last cleaning. At the range, shot 2 or 3 dove shells through the gun, but not at a target. Dry wipe the barrel out. Using the Federal 6s that you intend to hunt with, shoot at a target at a measured 40 yards. Dry wipe the barrel again and shoot at a target now set up at a measured 30 yards. If I were to estimate, I would expect that you should be seeing 110-130 pellets in 10" @ 40 yards and 150-170 pellets in 10" @ 30 yards. YMMV.

Please keep us in the loop with your results. Good luck.

Awesome, thanks for the info. I should be able to get the patterning board this weekend.