Pre-Season Shotgun Patterning, Part 1

by
posted on February 28, 2014
Mayer-e1393618728907.jpeg

News from Winchester Ammo of an expansion in their TrAAcker shotshell line served as a reminder that it’s time to get out my shotguns for pre-season patterning.  As reported here at AmericanRifleman.org, last year’s initial release of TrAAckers was limited to 12-gauge, 2-3/4” No. 8s. Later this year, the line will also include No. 7½s in both 12- and 20-gauge. TrAAckers were a big hit with budding and veteran shotgunners alike looking for a tool to help them master lead. The key component-a visible, pellet-weighted wad that flies true to the shot string-makes it easy for coaches and many shooters themselves to see where the pattern is flying in relation to the bird or clay.

Equally useful in understanding your shot patterns is a session at the pattern board. Some shooters use a metal plate (repainted between shots) but far more common is to hang sheets of cardboard or plain brown craft paper at least 30” wide at an operative distance. Of course this must be done only where it is safe to fire a shotgun.

Patterning is a common late-winter activity as clays competitors prepare for the tournament trail, and turkey hunters make it the first rite of spring gobbler season. A handful of shots for record reveal where the pellets are hitting relative to a sighting mark applied with spray paint or felt-tip marker, and also clearly show pattern density at whatever distance the target is placed.

At American Rifleman, patterning has typically been done at 25 yards for skeet and sporting clays guns and loads, roughly about where those targets are struck. For trap and field guns that must perform at longer ranges, the patterning standard is 40 yards. While some gunners will aim deliberately, others prefer to simulate actual shots by snapping the gun to the shoulder and cheek and then firing as soon as a good sight picture is acquired.  With the proof on the board they can quickly note errant tendencies, which can usually be corrected via gun modification, changing sighting beads or perhaps in reviewing the shooter’s grip, mount or stance.

When Rifleman editors test a shotgun we actually count all the pellet holes present in a 30” outer circle and a 21.5” inner split into quadrants. This tedious chore quantifies pattern tendencies that can affect the gun’s ability to hit on target and thus provides an objective means of comparing different guns. But one doesn’t need to go to the trouble, since patterning characteristics can easily be observed without all that counting. If your patterns aren’t evenly distributed around the mark, then your shooting gear is working against you, and some sort of fix is in order.

Later this week in Part 2, we’ll take a look at the somewhat different task of patterning a turkey gun.

Latest

Century BFT 01
Century BFT 01

New For 2024: Century Arms BFT74 & BFT556

Century Arms expanded its AK-style BFT rifle line in 2024 with two new models chambered for 5.56 NATO and 5.45x39 mm, respectively.

Preview: Armaspec SRS AR-15 Kit

This Armaspec upgrade to the AR-15’s standard buffer and spring includes a trio of interchangeable buffer weights that allow the user to tune it to his or her rifle/load.

Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive KelTec KS7

Join American Rifleman staff on the range this week with a unique version of KelTec's KS7 bullpup shotgun.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 1, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hydra Weaponry Expands To New Facility

Hydra Weaponry—the designer and manufacturer of the modular Marck-15 Hydra Weapon System and Maine’s largest firearm employer—has expanded into a larger facility.

Review: Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine

The M4A2 Patrolman’s Carbine from Bushmaster Firearms is the first in a line of AR-15s designed to bring back the standard, carbine-length firearms that have long been a staple of American shooting enthusiasts.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.