How even should a buckshot pattern be?

Oleg Volk · March 27, 2000, 02:49 PM

I have patterned my Winchester 1300 and found that the 20 pellets impact in a pattern less than even. Sometimes two pellets cluster close by and another area would have none.

The evenness seems to improve a little with plated shot but not by much. How much practical bearing would this have on HD situations?

Dave McC · March 27, 2000, 07:22 PM

Well nigh none, Oleg. Premium loads and custom smithing can improve the patterns, but if all the pellets fall into 2 feet at 20 yards, it'll work.

FYI, I used a duty shotgun and ammo in a test some years back. Out of ten rounds, none kept all 9 pellets on an FBI type silohuette at 25 yards. Same results with my own 870, zero choke but forcing cone done.

However, we're talking more than HD range. At 10 yards, 5-7" groups were standard.

curious · March 27, 2000, 07:40 PM

Thats a good question Oleg, I am curious if I should expect a similar pattern repeatedly or will it vary from shot to shot. Used for HD.

Oleg Volk · March 27, 2000, 07:58 PM

20-pellet #3 buck (.24cal pellets) seems to fill a doorway width at about 75ft. At 50ft all 20 stay within a torso width, at 20ft a headshot is possble with little scatter. The pattern is fairly irregular with busk and a little better with #4. Not sure about #8, all looked like Swiss cheese.

Unlike all other shotguns that I have tried, this 1300 Defender points very well from the hip or shoulder. I was amazed by that because my first try with an old bolt-action 20ga Stevens messed up the sky instead of my target. Wouldn't want to depend on hip shooting though.

Both slugs and shot centered about 2" left at 75ft which probably means I am not holding my head right...any suggestions on getting the right cheeck weld?

Oleg Volk · March 27, 2000, 08:02 PM

Back to my old qestion again, how much penetration does a #3 buck pellet have against car doors, flesh or bone?

Tackleberry · March 27, 2000, 08:17 PM

For the cheek weld, because you'reusing that shotgun wanting rifle accuracy, use a rifle stands, blade your body more towards the target. Check your head placement, inrelation to the stock. Tilt head forward some, this will cause you to look out the upper left region of your eye (right handed, or if you're a lefty, the upper rightside)This will actually aid in consistant stock welds. Consider the sights, what type?

------------------
Be Safe, Be Trained

Life is tough...it's alot tougher if you don't know how to shoot.

March 27, 2000, 02:49 PM	#1
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	I have patterned my Winchester 1300 and found that the 20 pellets impact in a pattern less than even. Sometimes two pellets cluster close by and another area would have none. The evenness seems to improve a little with plated shot but not by much. How much practical bearing would this have on HD situations?

March 27, 2000, 07:22 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Well nigh none, Oleg. Premium loads and custom smithing can improve the patterns, but if all the pellets fall into 2 feet at 20 yards, it'll work. FYI, I used a duty shotgun and ammo in a test some years back. Out of ten rounds, none kept all 9 pellets on an FBI type silohuette at 25 yards. Same results with my own 870, zero choke but forcing cone done. However, we're talking more than HD range. At 10 yards, 5-7" groups were standard.

March 27, 2000, 07:40 PM	#3
curious Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 49	Thats a good question Oleg, I am curious if I should expect a similar pattern repeatedly or will it vary from shot to shot. Used for HD.

March 27, 2000, 07:58 PM	#4
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	20-pellet #3 buck (.24cal pellets) seems to fill a doorway width at about 75ft. At 50ft all 20 stay within a torso width, at 20ft a headshot is possble with little scatter. The pattern is fairly irregular with busk and a little better with #4. Not sure about #8, all looked like Swiss cheese. Unlike all other shotguns that I have tried, this 1300 Defender points very well from the hip or shoulder. I was amazed by that because my first try with an old bolt-action 20ga Stevens messed up the sky instead of my target. Wouldn't want to depend on hip shooting though. Both slugs and shot centered about 2" left at 75ft which probably means I am not holding my head right...any suggestions on getting the right cheeck weld?

March 27, 2000, 08:02 PM	#5
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	Back to my old qestion again, how much penetration does a #3 buck pellet have against car doors, flesh or bone?

March 27, 2000, 08:17 PM	#6
Tackleberry Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 72	For the cheek weld, because you'reusing that shotgun wanting rifle accuracy, use a rifle stands, blade your body more towards the target. Check your head placement, inrelation to the stock. Tilt head forward some, this will cause you to look out the upper left region of your eye (right handed, or if you're a lefty, the upper rightside)This will actually aid in consistant stock welds. Consider the sights, what type? ------------------ Be Safe, Be Trained Life is tough...it's alot tougher if you don't know how to shoot.