5 yds difference

[strut-n-rut]

shot my 835 with a jelly head choke using federal 5 shot and at 40 yds patern wasnt too good and at 35 yds it was alot better. wouldnt think 5 yds would make much difference. still not happy though may have to try some longbeards and see what they do

[Snoodsniper]

The federal 5s shot pretty good for me but I was blown away by the longbeards last year and made the switch.

[Gobble!]

That's why knowing the distance and the ability of your gun at that distance is so important.

[the Ward]

That's why knowing the distance and the ability of your gun at that distance is so important.

X2

[TauntoHawk]

Think what it looks like when you go from 40 to 45.

[allaboutshooting]

shot my 835 with a jelly head choke using federal 5 shot and at 40 yds patern wasnt too good and at 35 yds it was alot better. wouldnt think 5 yds would make much difference. still not happy though may have to try some longbeards and see what they do

It can be a major difference. Even a foot short of beyond 40 yards can make a real difference, much more than you might think unless you've used a steel tape, surveyor's tape, to measure the difference. It's the reason we're so particular in still target shooting. Most laser units won't be as accurate as a steel tape. Even a foot can make a difference.

Thanks,
Clark

[strut-n-rut]

got some longbeard #5s today , shot it at 50 yds and it was a terrible pattern maybe 5 bb in the head. this was with a 835 with jellyhead .690 choke

[cfrye11]

in my opinion that's a 40 yard or less set up. That choke is to open for longer range patterns.  you should focus on you 10" pattern.  remember a lot of the patterns you see here are also #6 shot, you should expect less hits with #5.


Tap measure off Your measurements and then walk them off so you can get a good feel for distances you can shoot in the woods. Also what are you calling good andon't bad patterns?

Good luck

[10gaugemag]

That's why knowing the distance and the ability of your gun at that distance is so important.

X2

X3. I have been amazed how some of my gun/choke/load combos shoot at a certain distance and then 5-10 yards farther everything goes to hell. May have an awesome 35 yard pattern, possibly the best a gun has shot and then at 40 yards being terrible. Important to get in some trigger time and burn some powder.

[Longshanks]

Drops off quite a bit after 35. My 870 shoots 214 in a 10 @ 40. Shot it at 50 and the pattern would not be something I would want to shoot at a turkey at any distance.

[Tom Foolery]

What's more amazing is that you can not convince people there is a massive drop off.  A friend shot 3" HV #5's and at 30yds he had 200+ pellets on a 11"x11" square turkey target.  I told him he really needed to check at 40yds.  "No way, I'll still rip it up, my pattern won't drop off, etc"

He shot @ 40yds and barely broke 90 in the 11"x11" square......he decided it was time to change shells.  LOL

[zelmo1]

If you have a 40 yard limit, why not see what your pattern does at 40? Get the best at 40 and go with it. Only my 2 cents. Al Baker

[TauntoHawk]

If you have a 40 yard limit, why not see what your pattern does at 40? Get the best at 40 and go with it. Only my 2 cents. Al Baker

Agreed whatever your true limit is really test that out. The same goes for guys that spend hours at the range shooting a taped 40 but will shoot further at turkeys. You know what you are willing to shoot and that's your decision but test at that range.

I practice with my bow a lot further than I will shoot at a deer in the woods the same should be said for your shotgun patterns.

[Longshanks]

If you have a 40 yard limit, why not see what your pattern does at 40? Get the best at 40 and go with it. Only my 2 cents. Al Baker
[/quote)



That's the goal I shoot for with my guns.

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

Back in the 1980's, many people said you were good to go with a consistent 5 pellets in the head and neck of a turkey target.