I haven' t gotten a shotgun yet, but when I get it, I know I have to pattern it. This is where the problem is. The range where I shoot only has a 20, 50 and 100 yard range. I know most people pattern their guns out to around 40 yards. If the gun patterns good at around 20 yards, is there any way to predict how the patterns would be at 40 yards, or even 35 yards? Thanks in advance for any help!

Nope. If you plan on shooting the gun at fourty then you should pattern it at fourty. My range sounds the same as yours, so I made a target holder and put the targets where I need them. Of course I usally wait for the " off-season" to help make this easier without other shooters around. Sure is a pain waiting for ever to only shoot once

Every gun, choke, load trio will pattern differntly and you really need to check your pattern on paper to know what you got. 20, 25, 30, 35 and even 40 yards because you will be surprised how quickly your pattern can change for the worse in a mere 5-10 yards when you get around the 30+ yardage.

I have to agree. I think you should try and find a place that you can shoot out to 40 yards

PAhunter, I make a target holder from a couple of pieces of rerod with the spades on them (like electric fenceposts have). Shove them in the ground and wire a big piece of cardboard to them (4' x4' pallet cardboard works good), draw a 30" circle on it then staple your target in the center. Take several pieces of cardboard, one for each time you plan to shoot. That way you can take all the shot up pieces of cardboard home to study the results of your patterning.

I' ve had good luck going around after elections and taking those little campaign signs and using them to sight in all my guns. It' s also kind of gratifying in some way too...lol Also if you can legally get a hold of real estate signs those work excellent as well.

LOL Thanks guys. I was thinking of putting a target at 40 in the 50 range, I just need to check with the club managers. [:-]

More importantly when you are shooing these signs....are you lucky enough to grab any with " mug shots" on them?