shot patterning
 

when patterning on paper,what is an acceptable amount of hits in the vital neck and head. also, what would be un acceptable and time to try a new choke or shot size?

RE: shot patterning
 

Make sure you use a turkeys head and neck pic on the paper. Lots depends on your yardage on whether its unacceptable. How many BB's are you getting on the neck and head. Me I use Federals 5 shot 2oz load 3in and at 20 yards I completly destroy the target. The farther the target the less BB's. I know that didnt help much but tell us how manyare in the head and neck at 20 or 30 yards...

RE: shot patterning
 

i will be shooting at 40 yards with lead 5s with a 12 guage superfull remchoke. im curiuos as to what other hunters thinkhow many pellets should be in the neck and head to be considered a"good" pattern.

RE: shot patterning
 

My personal criteria for a "good" pattern is 20 hits on the turkey head and neck. The old standard ofat least 3 BB's in the spine/brain is still valid. 20 hits usually gives me about 5 in the kill zone.

RE: shot patterning
 

Ok for me at 40 yards I have to have at least 50 BB's in the head and neck area for it to be acceptable. A lot of the others on here wont agree. I have an awesome shooting gun. I shoot a Mossberg 500 with a factory turkey choke. I have an xx-ful turkey choke. Now remember you have to hit the vital areas. I mean it only takes one BB to do the job. I patterened this gun until I found the right combination. I have to say no turkey has ever left when Ive put the bead on them. The more BB's in the head and neck means more BB's in the vital areas. I wouldnt sell the gun I own now for anything. Its just awesome. Pattern you gun and find the right combination. Myself I love Federals. Try some Federals.

RE: shot patterning
 

I'm prety happy with 20 from 40 yard's. I also like to see a good bit around the head area. To the left and right. Just to know that if he move's his head right when I pull the trigger I would get him anyways. More than that and you've got a bonus. Less than that and you should consider a new load. With 20 from 40 yard's that will give you a missing head at about 15 to 20 yard's. I got lucky. I'm shooting #5 remington nitros (least exspensive round ironicly) with a stock turkey xtra full choke and getting 20+ in the head and neck each shot. Good enough for me.

RE: shot patterning
 

The way I find best to pattern your gun is take it to a range, and set it up on a bench so you have the most true aim you can. Use a target that is printed with the head and neck of a turkey and shoot. I like to set up targets at 20, 35, 40, 45, and maybe 50 yards if I feel neccessary. Shoot twice at each distance and different targets and compare the patterns at ech distance. If your 35 yard targets are similar, Note how many pellets are in the kill area. I feel at least 5-8 are good, but more the better. (Obviously). It only takes one if you think about it but I like a good plenty of pellets. This process may take some time and shells, but if you are into turkeys, its a good idea. If you have trouble patterning well enough, try going to afaster load, but smaller shot.Bigger shot pushes on each other as it leaves the barrel andthis will cause them to deform, and go off in undesired directions. That will cause more open patterns. To test this theory shoot a sport load like a 1 1/8 oz #8 andone of your turkey loads. I bet you put more pellets and kill zone, not becuase there are more but becuase smaller shot doesnt push on each other and create dispersion of the load.

RE: shot patterning
 

I would be happy with 8-10 hits in the vitals(brain&neck vertebra)at 40 yards...

A measured 40 yards;)

RE: shot patterning
 

I gotta agree with Mr. Longbeard, a tue measured 40 yards.

Arrowmaster, your getting 50 peelts in the head and neck at 40 yards? That is A-mazing. thats a true shooter. I've tried lots of choke combos and shells over the past three years out of a REM 11-87 and I've not come close to those numbers yet.

10-15 is about all I can get.........its worked so far but I'm always interested in making it better!

RE: shot patterning
 

Real good information fellas, keep it up. I like the fact that there are a variety of shots that everyone is getting. If I had only read 40 at 40 I would be going into the field with a bad feeling. Is it posible to get a better patern out of a full than a turkey super full?