Patterning question

[T.D.W]

im very new to duck hunting and from what ive heard patterning is an essential thing, what does this mean and how do you do it?

[Carpmaster]

Basically, you want to ensure that the load you are shooting is accurate and that you are getting efficient pattern density. The easiest way is to take a piece of cardboard about 4' x 4', put a black dot in the center and step off a distance (20, 25, 30 yards) and line your beads up good and touch it off....you want the pattern to be centered at the dot and to have consistant density. It is key to try multible loads at different distances and find what loads performs the best overall.

Good luck

[psandhu]

if you do more research, people will mentions "percentages" with their patterns. what they are talking about is the number of pellets inside a 30 inch circle at 40 yards. 30 inches at 40 yards is sort of a standard benchmark when comparing patterns. different guns with different chokes, shells, barrels, etc will pattern differently.

[johnch]

You also want to look for holes.
I have seen dense centers and areas that would lit ducks fly thru with out being hit.
I look for a patteren that covers the whole 30" cir.whit out spuper dense areas or holes.

This will alos tell you if your gun shoots where you think it should.
It may be the barrel , the choke tube or you.

A gun that shoots off center is a big problem.
A gun smith can bend a barrel a little to get the patteren centered for you .
Don't blame the gun right away ,2 different shooters may have different POI.

Johnch