Shotgun Patterns

Double Barrel

A shot cloud is a dynamic thing, always changing as distances change. The only way to find out where your gun shoots is to shoot it at a pattern board.

Can a Moderator, Administrator unlock the poll please.

ronn

Double Barrel

Ronn

http://www.peteblakeley.com/pdf/pattern.pdf

ronn

Ah ha i see the light/post,:D

sfakiaman

Thats an interesting article on gun fit and patterning, makes me wonder how I ever hit anything! One point I didn't see mentioned is that the shot doesn't arrive all at the one time spread out in a disc. Because shot forms a string in flight the results on the pattern board will give a denser pattern than would be the case on a fast crossing bird.

CJhaughey

Why are the results hidden?

Double Barrel

SFMan,

At this point you are only interested in where your gun is shooting (POI) and pattern density. Shoulder the gun at the 16 yard board, AIM at the centre and fire. Five shots at each distance (16 & 32 yards & 44-48 if you want).

The shot string stuff requires a moving pattern board and a fearless tractor driver.


CJH

Operator error.

sfakiaman

Double Barrel wrote: »

SFMan,
The shot string stuff requires a moving pattern board and a fearless tractor driver.

I did try and get the wife to run across the field with a kite but she muttered something as gaelige and tried to set the dog on me.

Vegeta

I am trying to show the poll results but it is proving tougher than I thought

Double Barrel

Thanks Vegeta for the effort.


Freshly painted board.



After One from 16 yards.



Four from 16 yards. to show inconsistent gun mount as demonstrated by my 13 year old nephew.

He aimed at those spots and he has excellent mechanics.

pullandbang

Double Barrel wrote: »

Thanks Vegeta for the effort.


Freshly painted board.



After One from 16 yards.



Four from 16 yards. to show inconsistent gun mount as demonstrated by my 13 year old nephew.

He aimed at those spots and he has excellent mechanics.

Definitely a lot of inconsistency in the mount. Can I ask, did you shoot static or use a moving gun? In other words, did you start with the gun below the plate, move up and pull when you reach the target or did you "rifle" it?

Double Barrel

P&B
"Rifled"
It was done as a demo to show what inconsistent gun mount would look like on a pattern board.

Double Barrel

A well written article on the essentials of shotgun patterning - by Dr Matt Draisma.

"The pattern density
As the shot hits and passes through the test paper, we are afforded a two-dimensional view of the pattern, which is, in fact, three-dimensional. The length of the shot string is not shown, only its width and height, but we know shot string length increases with shot load weights. A one-ounce (28gm) load of shot will have a significantly shorter shot string than a 1.25-ounce (36gm) load, where it can be four-foot long. The latter will actually carry its effective kill pattern out to a longer range than the lighter-weight load irrespective of shot size. Pattern density is controlled also by the choke selection, as already mentioned. The percentage of the shot delivered in the 30-inch circle is one important measure of cartridge and choke performance. A 70 per cent figure, or higher, should be demanded from the modern shotgun cartridge for any given choke at its effective optimal kill distance. Following is a table showing the number of pellets of shot normally found in different weight loads using different shot sizes. This is your starting point. Count the number of pellet marks on you patterning board or the number of holes in the sheet of butcher’s paper, divide it by the total number of pellets in the load of whatever shot size you are using (from this table) and multiply the result by 100 to obtain the percentage. Shot density is obviously affected by shot size, as can be seen. This is a major factor in shot size selection for different sized game. A lethal hit reliably requires at least several pellets to strike the target at the range it is shot, which in turn depends on your choke selection. Your pattern can be overlaid on any part of the central ten-inches with a naked (plucked) silhouette of the intended game, and by drawing its outline on the pattern, the number of pellet strikes can be counted.

Hence number six-shot in 34 grams and modified improved cylinder choking at 35 yards produces a reliable pattern as seen. Quail also therefore require smaller shot (number nine) in a 28-gram load for a denser pattern at 35 metres for a reliable broadside hit, but a going away bird can still fly through the pattern unharmed at this range. Quail are usually shot at 20 yards at which range this pattern will be much tighter from the same barrel and choking."

http://www.ssaa.org.au/stories/shotguns-essential-shotgun-patterning.html

Double Barrel

I am not sure if the results were ever visible to the board members so here are the

Poll Results so far:

Do you pattern: ...... 9 respondents ...... 56.25%

.....@ 16 Yards: ...... 3 respondents ...... 18.75%

.....@ 32 Yards: ...... 6 respondents ...... 37.50%