So i just got done pattering about 4 different shells and had some great numbers. They were shot at 30 yards instead of 40, which i read a lot of guys pattern at 40. Its 12 ga 3"-3.5" and all lead shot, in #5 and #6. So my question is what percentage or what number of pellets do you loose in the 30 to 40 yard distance change? I was getting in the 160-190s inside a 10" circle at 30 yrds. Will i loose 50% or more like 25% of pellets that were in the circle? Hope you guys can help.
You will lose as much as 50% at 40. Most all combos look awesome at 30, but at 40 you start seeing drastic differences.
The percentage fall off of lead is why 40 yards has been a long established maximum range.
Really hard to say, and you really need to shoot at 40 to see. But lead patterns fall off dramatically from 30 to 40. Very few guys consistently beat 100/10 at 40 with lead. A few rigs will do 120, but most fall to around 100 or even a bit less.
Thats what i was figuring, i was reading one thread and the nitros went from the 200 range to about the 50 range. I will pattern a few at 40 and see what happens but like you said 40 is the max. I hope to call them in closer than that!
Definitely go back to 40 and shoot if you can. A few years ago I was patterning several different shells. I shot a remington shell, not sure which one, at 25yds and it actually shot a big hole in the paper because the pattern was so tight. I couldn't believe it. I was telling myself, "this is the one". I stepped back to 40 and the pattern fell apart so much I might have had 30-40 hits with several holes the size of my fist in the pattern.
Your pattern at 30, isn't as good of an indication of success at 40, as your pattern at 35 is.
But 40 IS 40.
I like to check at 30, 35, and 40. 30 for POA / POI. 35 to see what's happening between 30 and 40, and lastly 40.
I have had numerous Pb loads that would turn great patterns at 30yds but deteriorated so bad at 40 that I would not be comfortable taking the shot. Best bet would be find a pattern that will turn 100+ @ 40 and it will be a killer at 30-35 and give you a little extra yardage if you need it. :anim_25:
Quote from: burke0428 on March 03, 2013, 09:08:53 AM
Thats what i was figuring, i was reading one thread and the nitros went from the 200 range to about the 50 range. I will pattern a few at 40 and see what happens but like you said 40 is the max. I hope to call them in closer than that!
"I hope to call them in closer than that!"
best way I know of to improve your pattern...
Funny how almost everything looks great at 30 Yards, and most look good at 35 Yards, but 40 is a hill to climb.
:fud:
Quote from: 3" 870 Shell Shucker on March 05, 2013, 06:57:45 AM
Funny how almost everything looks great at 30 Yards, and most look good at 35 Yards, but 40 is a hill to climb.
:fud:
It is very difficult to make a rifle out of a shotgun; about thirty yards was the long shot in days of lead, especially for those who didn't have a full choke. They still brought turkeys back to camp.
They hit golf balls a lot farther today than they did in the 60's but the scores are about the same.
My 40 Yard Lead patterns are better now, than my 35 Yard Lead patterns were when I first started trying out guns, chokes, and loads.
Progress can be made. Better shells make a huge difference, and then better Chokes improve upon that.