Pattern size.

shutinaroberts

December 06, 2013 11:43

I have asked this before but how many pellets should be in an "X" sized pattern at 50 yards using 3" 12ga #4 buckshot?

i.e. Should there be 10 pellets in a 10" circle at 50 yards,
5 pellets in a 10" circle at 50 yards,
10 pellets in a 30" circle at 50 yards,
5 pellets in a 30" circle at 50 yards...

I know to pattern my gun and to shoot the load that best patterns and to use the choke that gives the best results...

Thanks in advance for your replies,
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  toad67

  December 06, 2013 12:41

  Depends on how big the "X" is........
  
  
  http://www.stu-offroad.com/firearms/patterntest/buck1-1.htm

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  charliemeyer007

  December 06, 2013 13:14

  The amount of choke was set as % of the pellets inside a 30" circle at 40 yards.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choke_(firearms)
  
  If you google choke shotgun patterns you will find charts for other ranges.
  
  The 41 buffered pellets of #4 buckshot in a 3" is a good load.

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  rufe-snow

  December 06, 2013 13:15

  Any body using Buck at 50 yards needs their head examined. Years ago I tried to pattern 00 Buck at 25 yds. If I was lucky SOMETIMES, I would get 3 on the target. I'll concede their are a lot more pellets in a 3" loaded with #4's, though. 50 yds seems way over optimistic, hunting any thing with #4 Buck.

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  navc130

  December 06, 2013 15:37

  There have been many good articles testing buckshot the last few years. From memory, I recall: multiple hits from smaller buckshot is much more effective than one hit from OO buckshot; three hits is the minimum required for an effective kill; 50 yards is probably the maximum effective range for a gun that patterns well. You should use a deer outline target to test the pattern since a deer is not round.

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  shutinaroberts

  December 07, 2013 05:13

  I forgot to mention this is in reference to hunting coyotes/bobcats.

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  SCOUT5

  December 08, 2013 12:10

  I've used #4 buck on foxes and coyotes in the past. Use different chokes and ammo. You want to put at least 3 shot in the kill zone. Your max range will the range at which your equipment and ammo can do this consistently.
  
  In a full choke 1100 remington I could consistently kill foxes to 60 yards.

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  shutinaroberts

  December 09, 2013 00:32

  Thanks for the answer to my question Scout5.
  
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