I just bought a second scope because I use the same gun with different barrels for deer and turkey. Slugs in the fall, #5 shot in the spring. I got tired of having to re-zero when I change seasons. The mounts are easy enough to change out. I will shortly be putting my new scope on and sighting it in with some cheap bird shot, then zeroing it with the load I expect to use this spring. I patterned my gun with 2 different chokes and 3 or 4 different brands of shot in a couple of different sizes last year and I pretty much know what will pattern well now, its just a matter of ensuring the sights are on. I consider sighting in and patterning 2 different things. Of course, I may try patterning with different loads I haven't tried before or if I acquire a new choke tube, but if I use the same tube and same loads as last year, just making sure the scope is on is all I plan on doing.

Likely to change with same choke, gun, shell etc............ no. Worth checking with at least 1 shot at 40 or 30 JUST to check it, ABSOLUTELY!

Yup. But I also tend to try different types of shells too.

The problem is that my lease is 5 hours away and I live in the DFW area where there aren't many (or any, anymore) places to shoot.

You are assuming that I use a scope or rifle sights, which I don't. My setup is a bead setup that doesn't move.

What everyone is saying, including myself, is that it's a good idea to shoot your gun a couple of times just to make sure. If your gun shot good last year with the same choke and shells then it will more than likely do it this year. My gun shoots the same every year, but I still shoot it several times before each season. Is there a range nearby where you live? There has got to be somewhere closer than five hours where you can shoot.

I pattern mine at least one shot each season before season just for my own confindence. It never changes but I still shoot at least one shell into a target at 30yds.

if you dont use a scope dont worry about it. it can help build confidence like others say, but i read it above, "if it aint broke dont fix it". great advice. if you keep everything the same, and there is no scope to knock off, i wouldnt waste the shell on a paper target.

yep, it gets ya in the mood espically when their isnt anything else to do. I just like making sure the gun and everything fires and ejects the shells fine.

I live pretty close to the DFW area as well. I work in Irving. Go to a local range. Try Wiley's Guns. It will be about an hour drive. Take 20 east to 47. Go south 6 miles then follow the signs. they have a nice range. Or PM me. My lease is about 5 minutes from Wiley's. We can pattern our guns at the same time and then go shoot a hog! (Bring some slugs or another gun or a bow).