Bird shot spread differences

kx592 · September 14, 2009, 08:10 PM

I use as a hunting/skeet rifle the 870 28" barrel w. modified choke and it works very well with rem #8 birdshot.. I picked up the 590a1 for HD but also take it to the skeet range for sh**s and gigles and its very difficult as you would imagine to pick off the clays after 25yrds. Would using a different birdshot # help. do the larger size pellets spead less giving me better chances of hitting at 35 yards? I know cylinder bore is not he way to go for skeet but was just wondering anyway

banditt007 · September 14, 2009, 08:14 PM

my gut feeling is try a few diff brands of whatever shotsize you like to use #8 or 7.5. and see if that helps, then i'd start finding a heavier payload shell. i dont think a larger shot size is going to help much since you are going to have less pellets per ounce of lead.

oneounceload · September 14, 2009, 08:34 PM

Cylinder bore is fine for skeet -there isn't a target over 21 yards. Larger shot MAY help some for distance with your cylinder choke, but only a pattern board test will verify that. I use a skeet choke, which is only .005, for targets on 5-stand out to 30-35 yards - but they pattern well in MY gun

kx592 · September 14, 2009, 08:44 PM

Well its only a 20" barrel and so whats the payload number? Im still learning

oneounceload · September 14, 2009, 09:05 PM

Barrel length has nothing to do with that. Longer barrels help with your swing on moving targets. The type of shells can be determined by what you're doing. For clay targets, basic target loads in 8 or 7-1/2 are just fine. Upland birds, might be a different story. Waterfowl, different yet again, as is HD or deer hunting

zippy13 · September 15, 2009, 01:56 AM

I don't think oneounceload will mind if I add to his comment:
Longer barrels help with your swing on moving targets. And, they provide a longer sighting radius. So, the longer barrel changes how the gun feels, it also changes how you see the targets.

September 14, 2009, 08:10 PM	#1
kx592 Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Posts: 645	Bird shot spread differences I use as a hunting/skeet rifle the 870 28" barrel w. modified choke and it works very well with rem #8 birdshot.. I picked up the 590a1 for HD but also take it to the skeet range for sh**s and gigles and its very difficult as you would imagine to pick off the clays after 25yrds. Would using a different birdshot # help. do the larger size pellets spead less giving me better chances of hitting at 35 yards? I know cylinder bore is not he way to go for skeet but was just wondering anyway

September 14, 2009, 08:14 PM	#2
banditt007 Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2006 Posts: 694	my gut feeling is try a few diff brands of whatever shotsize you like to use #8 or 7.5. and see if that helps, then i'd start finding a heavier payload shell. i dont think a larger shot size is going to help much since you are going to have less pellets per ounce of lead.

September 14, 2009, 08:34 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Cylinder bore is fine for skeet -there isn't a target over 21 yards. Larger shot MAY help some for distance with your cylinder choke, but only a pattern board test will verify that. I use a skeet choke, which is only .005, for targets on 5-stand out to 30-35 yards - but they pattern well in MY gun

September 14, 2009, 08:44 PM	#4
kx592 Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Posts: 645	Well its only a 20" barrel and so whats the payload number? Im still learning

September 14, 2009, 09:05 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Barrel length has nothing to do with that. Longer barrels help with your swing on moving targets. The type of shells can be determined by what you're doing. For clay targets, basic target loads in 8 or 7-1/2 are just fine. Upland birds, might be a different story. Waterfowl, different yet again, as is HD or deer hunting

September 15, 2009, 01:56 AM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I don't think oneounceload will mind if I add to his comment: Longer barrels help with your swing on moving targets. And, they provide a longer sighting radius. So, the longer barrel changes how the gun feels, it also changes how you see the targets.