Effective range of 20 gauge???

[drakekilla12]

Let's say if I can get 150+ pellets in a 10in circle at 40 yards.... What are my odds of making a clean kill at 50 yards?   I try to keep them inside 40 even with a twelve but sometime when you get excited 40 yards becomes 50.... Also, any 50 yard pattern #s would be helpful.

Thanks

[sugarray]

Really depends on what type of load you are shooting and shot size.  Lead would be real hard IMHO to get a 50 yd pattern in the 20 gauge.  Hevi shot will increase your odds a bit and the Fed HW even more as the density of the shot gives good down range penetration.  You have to shoot and see what your patterns are at the range you are wanting.  Where ever you get 100 evenly spaced pellets in a 10" circle is where your max distance is, no matter which load you are shooting.


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[dirt road ninja]

I get 137 and my gun is no where near a 50 yard gun. Unless you have a freak of a 20 gauge or handload I'd stay right around forty yards with it. 50 really is further then most 12 gauges should shoot.

[wmahunter]

I've heard that you will loose 30% every 10 yds which if true then your 150@40 load should still have 105@50.

Anyone have any idea if this 30% rule is accurate?

[R AJ]

Hal,
I appreciate that very honest and accurate report. Shot penetration at distances such as 50 yards through paper is nothing vs. feathers,flesh and bone. 
I know that you have done extensive testing on patterns , penetration, of various shot sizes and materials and your advice and comments are well taken.

Taking a full court shot at the buzzer in basketball is very understandable and occasionally someone gets lucky. Taking a pot shot at a turkey and hoping that you break it down or possibly kill it is inexcusable . There are enough crippled or mortally wounded turkeys as it is by birds well within range but they happen to be by the right limb or tree at the exact moment to get away with a partial load of shot, etc.

[Mainer]

I have, out of necessity, killed two Tom's at approximately 50-55yrds, with my 20 gauge.
1 was stone dead, the other layed there and did like two flops. This was using Heavy 13's #6's.
Of coarse I do not advocate shooting that far, but my personal experience says YES, you can kill them  out to those distances.