Patterning

[ATbuckhunter]

What range do you guys pattern your shotguns to? And do any of you guys know of any range i can go to in Westchester or LI where I can pattern my shotgun?

[Lawdwaz]

I always shot mine at 40 yards.  I used a 30" circle with a turkey target/silhouette taped to it with the center of the base of the neck in the center of the 30" circle.  I wanted to know where my pattern density was along with how many pellets in the head/neck area.

 

Can't help with the shooting range.............good luck!

[letinmfly]

As far as I know there aren't any ranges that will allow you to shoot buck shot of any size to sight in/range. 

I patterned my gun at 20, 30 and 40 yards and I shot numerous different loads, meaning brand...shot size and shell length.  I shoot a Mossberg 835 but found that my gun shoots Winchester Premium HV 3" shells in a 5 shot the best at all distances.  I've killed birds as close as 5 yards and as far away as 50 yards with this ammo.

Try different ammo and shoot at different distances, you want to be confident about your gun and ammo and with the ability to kill a bird out to whatever distance you feel comfortable with.

[ants]

I also shoot an 835, and do the same thing. 20, 30 and 40yds. My gun likes Winchester Double X #4 & #5 shot. I shoot the full 2 1/4 oz. loads. Patterning this gun is not fun…..

[Five Seasons]

40 with my 835. But that's with heavi13 and a good choke. I'd go less with lead ammo. Just me

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[jjb4900]

I like to shoot and pattern my gun as I would be shooting in a hunting situation, sitting down with my back to a tree.....I stick with 30 yards using hevi shot. The range in Calverton out on L.I. may allow this to be done, last time I went it was more a less a free for all, but that was many years ago.........I just make a trip out to some secluded State land and do my patterning there.

[Five Seasons]

I like to shoot and pattern my gun as I would be shooting in a hunting situation, sitting down with my back to a tree.....I stick with 30 yards using hevi shot. The range in Calverton out on L.I. may allow this to be done, last time I went it was more a less a free for all, but that was many years ago.........I just make a trip out to some secluded State land and do my patterning there.

Some state land doesn't allow target shooting so be careful.

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[jjb4900]

Some state land doesn't allow target shooting so be careful.

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true, make sure you check the regulations before doing what I suggested.

[ATbuckhunter]

I'm going to be using hevi-shot as well with a high quality choke. I was under the impression that all state land didn't allow target practice but Ill check again if any near me allow it. 

[jjb4900]

http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/98903.html

bottom question is answered about target shooting.

Edited January 10, 2015 by jjb4900

[reeltime]

like the other members here I pattern my 835 turkey rig from 10-40 yards. I did most of concentrations at 25-40 yards.

 

I did a lot of barrel work prior to doing any patterning.  I did a lot of barrel polishing from the chamber out to the ic choke tube. once I was satisfied with the barrel I put in the after market choke ad concentrated on the choke seating area.

 

I sighted in the scope with 2 3/4" #6 lead shot at 10 yards then went to 20,25,&30 with the lead shot while cleaning the barrel between shots.  Then I went to the turkey loads, at the time I was shooting custom loaded nitro's with 4,5,&7.5 shot.  at $5.00 each i didn't want to be shooting a bunch of them.

 

I set up the 40 yard target 30" circle with a 10" circle in the center with a 2" circle in the center of the 10". off the bench with a rest the first shot I had 242 pellets in the 10 " circle. I set up the second pattern paper and did the 40 yard shot again and almost the same result. 

since then I have switched to winchester extended range in 6 shot and I am still around 175-190 in the 10" circle at 40 yards.  they are impressive rounds for sure and certainly hasn't been a problem killing birds out to 40 yards with 6 shot. 

 

if you do all the work on the barrel and go with an aftermarket choke and get the pattern tight you will be best served with some type of sighting system whether its rifle sights, one of he turkey sights, holo sight, or a scope. with a bead and a super tight pattern you will need to make sure your shooting form is almost perfect when taking a shot at a turkey that is 20 yards or less.  I know my gun at 15 yards the pattern is the size of a baseball so they can be easy to miss without a good sighting system.

 

[G-Man]

I pattern at 30,and out to max range about 65 yards with #4. The gun shoots so tight that under 40 i need a sight. I use a reddot .at 20 yards the pattern is 6 inches. Custom barrel and jugged choke.

[ATbuckhunter]

I have a red dot as well and I think ill be patterning 20-40/50 yards. I found my self a nice piece of state land in Westchester to do it on.