What do you consider good lead numbers?

[Tom Foolery]

From the shooting I have done and from what I have seen from my friends patterns here are the numbers I think are good hunting patterns for lead in the 10" at 40yds.

3"

4's - 90-100
5's - 100-115
6's - 120-130

3.5"

4's - 110-120
5's - 115-130
6's - 140-160

Thoughts?

[jakesdad]

I get around 100-110 with 3" 6's at 40 with my 870.Although I usually dont shoot a bird that far,I have and would not be afraid to do it again with that setup.if you are getting the numbers you posted,I'd say you are golden.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

An evenly spaced 95 to 100+ hits in a 10" circle, with nice even 15" to 20" coverage is absolutely great.  Any better is really just cake and ice cream.

[surehuntsalot]

An evenly spaced 95 to 100+ hits in a 10" circle, with nice even 15" to 20" coverage is absolutely great.  Any better is really just cake and ice cream.

+ 1

[R AJ]

You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.

At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.

If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.

[dawei]

You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.

At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.

If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.

Robert don't you mean 80-100 pellets in a ten inch circle?

[Jbird22]

You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.

At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.

If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.

I agree. If I could get 100 lead 4's in a 10" circle @ 40 yds I wouldn't entertain the thought of shooting anything else! Those #'s seem a tad on the high side from what I have experienced but I won't say it's impossible.

[dawei]

You do not need an extra 40 pellets or more because it is lead and not HTL.

At 80-100 lead pellets per square inch at a given distance is what it takes if at a fairly even distribution.

If I had 100 #4s at 40 yards that would be my go to choke pattern. That is strong.

I agree. If I could get 100 lead 4's in a 10" circle @ 40 yds I wouldn't entertain the thought of shooting anything else! Those #'s seem a tad on the high side from what I have experienced but I won't say it's impossible.

I was looking through some older patterns (2009) a couple of hours ago. I found one that I am quite proud of.....
• Using #4 Pb, @ 30yds, I put 34 pellets in a 3" circle, and 127 pellets in an 8" circle.

I used a Mossberg® Mdl 500C 20ga 26" barrel w/a Hastings® .570" (#I20570) choke. The load was Winchester® Supreme® High Velocity 20ga 3" Mag 1200fps 1 5/16oz #4 (#STH2034) Lot# C3YK02.

[Tom Foolery]

My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would.  I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer. 

[Jbird22]

My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would.  I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer. 

I'm sure it is with #'s like that. That's sick for #4 lead!!!

[dawei]

My guns won't do that, but I sure wish they would.  I have a friend that has an 835 that hits in the 120's with #4 lead, it is quite the slayer.  

I'm sure it is with #'s like that. That's sick for #4 lead!!!

Actually I think that is a very HEALTHY pattern myself, especially for a 20ga.

[Jbird22]

Sick = extremely good in today's lingo...

[dawei]

Sick = extremely good in today's lingo...

Forgive my misunderstanding as I am an Auld Phart (61). Regards

[Jbird22]

No prob...

[Tom Foolery]

Old Gobbler is even expanding vocabulary now.