Pattern too tight?

R.Taylor · January 11, 2008, 08:02 PM

I just got an 870 for HD and bought a few different brands of 00 to see which patterned best. I was shooting at a 15"x12" target from 25 yards. I had a wide variety of shot patterns, but the best two were "Remington Managed-Recoil" and "Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical w/Flightcontrol Wad"

The Remington's had a spread of about 10". We kept almost all the shot on the target. These were also the second cheapest shells I tried ~$3.50/box.

The Federal's shot really tight, about 4-5". With 5 shells we easily kept all the shot on the target. These were also the cheapest ~$2.60/box.

Now with 5" @ 25 yards these Fed's are going to hit like a slug at HD distances. Other than having to aim better would that be a problem?

I might just keep the Rem's stocked to give the wife a little more leeway, But what would you use?

Thanks
RT

hogdogs · January 11, 2008, 08:26 PM

Are you sure that was 25 yards? I mean 25 big boy paced steps? them are impressive results even if from a super tight choke!
What choke is your barrel? My gun is at 4-5 inches in under 10 yards for sure. At HD distance you will find ALL shells are like a slug... A 7 1/2 is going in one hole about 1-2 inches at 7-10 feet. But the beauty in 00 or 000 is the exit wound! Ain't too many zombies still standing with 6-10 inches of spine missing! I will try to find those rounds and try them in my 18.5 cylindrical barrel. I will post results.
Brent

R.Taylor · January 11, 2008, 08:58 PM

Well I'm 5'10 and they were full strides. It had to have been pretty close to 25 yards. I'm shooting a 870 with an 18" cyl bore barrel. I too was amazed at the pattern of the Fed's especially after shooting the Winchesters which only 4-5 shots hit the target per shell.

I went to three stores buying shells to get a variety: Sportsman's Warehouse, Sports Authority, and Impact Guns. Impact was the only one that carried the Federal Law Enforcement shells.

From the box:
(front)
Federal Premium
Law Enforcement Flightcontrol Wad
Ammunition

Tactical (on shell pic)

(side)
Tactical 12GA
2 3/4 inch Maximum
Muz Vel 1145 FPS
With Flightcontrol Wad
8 Pellets - 00 Buck LE113 00

hogdogs · January 11, 2008, 09:15 PM

Holy chit!

Them results are super! Remember you can load a bird shot for first round... In the home you will be in pretty tight before the gunfire start. Longest in this house is 20 feet door way to doorway... I would, in your case, find the loosest grouping 00 for first round if it is 4 inches or so at 20 feet than them tight groupin' rounds behind it.
IMHO YMMV I don't give a hoot at entrance wound shot spread. It is the total stopping power of them .30 cal balls each going in hunt of a vital organ I want to see... Once in the body all it takes is a bone or ligament to send them off each seeking an organ of their own!
Brent

January 11, 2008, 08:02 PM	#1
R.Taylor Junior Member Join Date: January 11, 2008 Location: SL,UT Posts: 6	Pattern too tight? I just got an 870 for HD and bought a few different brands of 00 to see which patterned best. I was shooting at a 15"x12" target from 25 yards. I had a wide variety of shot patterns, but the best two were "Remington Managed-Recoil" and "Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical w/Flightcontrol Wad" The Remington's had a spread of about 10". We kept almost all the shot on the target. These were also the second cheapest shells I tried ~$3.50/box. The Federal's shot really tight, about 4-5". With 5 shells we easily kept all the shot on the target. These were also the cheapest ~$2.60/box. Now with 5" @ 25 yards these Fed's are going to hit like a slug at HD distances. Other than having to aim better would that be a problem? I might just keep the Rem's stocked to give the wife a little more leeway, But what would you use? Thanks RT

January 11, 2008, 08:26 PM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Are you sure that was 25 yards? I mean 25 big boy paced steps? them are impressive results even if from a super tight choke! What choke is your barrel? My gun is at 4-5 inches in under 10 yards for sure. At HD distance you will find ALL shells are like a slug... A 7 1/2 is going in one hole about 1-2 inches at 7-10 feet. But the beauty in 00 or 000 is the exit wound! Ain't too many zombies still standing with 6-10 inches of spine missing! I will try to find those rounds and try them in my 18.5 cylindrical barrel. I will post results. Brent

January 11, 2008, 08:58 PM	#3
R.Taylor Junior Member Join Date: January 11, 2008 Location: SL,UT Posts: 6	Well I'm 5'10 and they were full strides. It had to have been pretty close to 25 yards. I'm shooting a 870 with an 18" cyl bore barrel. I too was amazed at the pattern of the Fed's especially after shooting the Winchesters which only 4-5 shots hit the target per shell. I went to three stores buying shells to get a variety: Sportsman's Warehouse, Sports Authority, and Impact Guns. Impact was the only one that carried the Federal Law Enforcement shells. From the box: (front) Federal Premium Law Enforcement Flightcontrol Wad Ammunition Tactical (on shell pic) (side) Tactical 12GA 2 3/4 inch Maximum Muz Vel 1145 FPS With Flightcontrol Wad 8 Pellets - 00 Buck LE113 00

January 11, 2008, 09:15 PM	#4
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Holy chit! Them results are super! Remember you can load a bird shot for first round... In the home you will be in pretty tight before the gunfire start. Longest in this house is 20 feet door way to doorway... I would, in your case, find the loosest grouping 00 for first round if it is 4 inches or so at 20 feet than them tight groupin' rounds behind it. IMHO YMMV I don't give a hoot at entrance wound shot spread. It is the total stopping power of them .30 cal balls each going in hunt of a vital organ I want to see... Once in the body all it takes is a bone or ligament to send them off each seeking an organ of their own! Brent