I know most experts say all pattern test should be 40 yards. But I often do 20, 25 or 30 yards if those distances are more realistic for my most likely shooting distances. I’ve seen a lot of good 25-30 yard patterns which look too open and spotty at 40 yards. And most people hit few Dove at an honest 40 yards, for that matter few even know what 40 yards is in the field.
I place distance markers, cut weeds, when I’m shooting Dove. At 30 or 33 yards which is my effective .410 patterns. If a Dove is inside 33 yards I expect a clean kill when I do my part. Hence the shorter pattern distances. All my .410 patterns look weak at 40 yards, which is beyond my shooting distances. So I use 25-30 as my test range when pattern.
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