doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Patterning Paper

A little late, as always as in all things, but here we go:

What do you consider the best size dimensions of paper to be used for patterning shotguns to be used for upland hunting?

That's it, and as always all contributions are welcomed and appreciated.

Many Thanks - KK

I have always used 48" x 48". I shot skeet patterns at 21 yards and everything else at 40 yards or more. If you are careful, after you establish POI vs. POA, you could get by with less, say 36" by 36".

http://www.shoplet.com/Pacon-Spectra-ArtKraft-Duo-Finish-Paper/PAC67004/spdv

This works well.

Virginian,
I have an Ithaca Model 37 with Modified fixed choke that I am taking to SD this year for wild pheasants. What distance would you or anyone else here recommend for me to pattern it at? BTW, I had always heard a 36 inch circle on paper or wood was the ticket for a patterning target. And comments would be appreciated.

Perry,
You didn't mention the bore size.

I suppose it depends on how you will be hunting. If you are hunting in a large group in the cornfields with retrievers, there can be some long shots. In the past, I'd pick a load and start at 25 yards, moving back 5 yards at a time, shooting at least a few shots, until I began to see the pattern get to the point it's not reliable. I'd pick the maximum range from the patterns and shoot some more there.

If over pointing dogs with a 12ga, modified seems overly tight to me.

I use a roll of butchers paper that is 36" by run and as Chuck H has said. " I'd pick a load and start at 25 yards, moving back 5 yards at a time, shooting at least a few shots, until I began to see the pattern get to the point it's not reliable."

I shoot SxS's and pattern new loads at the distances that I shoot until I'm happy with the gun's patterns. For me, Imp Cyl and Mod chokes are adequate when shooting over a pointing dog. Bore size is irrelevant and depending on the bird to be hunted, I shoot 3/4 oz., 7/8 oz., 1 oz. and 1 1/8 oz. loads.

After quite a few years hunting SoDak I settled on Skeet/Full with and ounce of sixes and an ounce of fives. Works very well.

I believe patterns were/are averaged for # of pellets in a 30" circle, typically at 40 yds. But if it's a VW diesel, your mileage may vary.

Mike

Home Depot carries $10 rolls of paper in the paint section that is sufficiently wide enough for my patterning purposes. It's at least 36" wide. Gil

Sorry about that!! 16 gauge. I guess I was so proud of myself for finally moving into the 16 gauge crowd that I forgot to identify it!! I actually have two barrels with it, a 28" Modified and a 25"(?) inch Deerslayer barrel. I intend to use the Deerslayer barrel since I will be working the dogs. I have used a Deerslayer years ago in 12 gauge on quail with excellent results so I thought I would try this 16 in the same way. I will either use 1 ounce of 5's or 6's or a combination of the two at about 1250 fps. I bought a flat from Cabela's and thought I would start (the patterning) with them. Then I will try Golden Pheasant in the same load and see if I can detect any difference in the plated shot. Hey, I know it works on quail, but if I can't drop the pheasants I shoot at I will try something else. It will be my first time using a pump for phez and only the second time using 16 gauge on anything. My normal choice is a 2/75 inch 20 gauge Citori Upland Special so I so have other options. Hey, it's all about the fun of being there anyway. Of course, I do enjoy dropping one every now and then!!