To answer the question on paterning you gun. You must pick a shell and shoot at a target that has the turkey head and neck on it. Count the pellets in the head and neck area and see if there are any open spots in the pattern.(big openings where there are no bb's) Start at twenty yards and work out to whatever gives you a good number of bb's in the kill area. That will be your limit. Most guns can pattern out to almost forty yards. I prefer to get them inside of thirty.

You must try different loads and shot sizes. Try to find a buddy to share some shells with. That way it is not so expensive. Mark each target with the shell used and yardages. Good luck.