Shot deformation and terminal performance

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UK2TX

New member
Hello Chaps,

I have been testing choke and patterns for #4 shot in 12ga ( 2 3/4" and 3" ) and 10ga ( 3.5" ) at 40 yards for the upcoming spring turkey season and have a question.

The FULL choke pattern produced a nice even pattern with ROUND holes and have a more than adequate pellet count in the key areas of a turkey target, especially with the 10ga.

The X-FULL choke pattern produced a tighter pattern with NON-ROUND / deformed holes in the pattern and again had a more than adequate pellet count.

My question is would the deformation of the shot have a significant effect on the penetration of pellet? I ask as I want the beasty to be cleanly killed not to be stunned.

FWIW I'm leaning towards using the 10ga as it's much more pleasant to shoot, has a ballistic advantage and patterns beautifully. Also I had an interesting experience with the 10ga using Federal turkey loads, every shot resulted in the wad being embedded 1/4" in the plywood target as a result of 1 pellet being behind the wad.

Regards,

UK2TX
 
Sure the shot won't penetrate as well, but it will hit hard, and cause a mess. You don't have all that much to penetrate on a turkey head. With body shots on geese, I'd worry...
A bigger bore is great isn't it? Short shot charges are a good thing for patterns and downrange kills on moving targets. I'd bet that that 10gauge will work a lot better in real life. The 2D pattern density fails to show that advantage.
 
Hello Poodleshooter,

I figured that they would not penetrate as much, I was just concerned about how much less, I'm sure that the shot is not going to bounce off :) especially with the 10ga.

As for the larger bore, I bought the 10ga on a whim ( $100 ), and love to shoot it! I've just bought some http:www.LittleSkeeters.com mini-tubes 10ga to 12ga to see how they work, I figure that if nothing else it would make a great "introduction to shotguns" piece firing 12ga 7/8oz light trap loads as it weights 9 1/2lbs.

I bought the tubes in the hope that the patterns will improve ( as I would have as 12ga which had a 10ga overbore ) and to allow me to use cheaper shells when needed.

Regards,

UK2TX
 
I'd be tempted to go with the Full, since there's more than adequate hits with it. Overchoking means deformed pellets which leave the pattern and penetrate less,per Brister.

As for that 10, if it patterns better,kicks less and doesn't require wheels, use it. 9 1/2 lbs is on the light side for a 10.
 
Hello Mr McC,

I didn't mention it has a 36" barrel, so there's lots of weight "up front" so to speak which certainly helps with the recoil, as does the Monty Carlo stock. I certainly haven't noticed the horrific recoil that some mention when talking about the 10ga, although in fairness it wouldn't be my choice for dove season. My shooting partner noticed that the recoil was much less with the 10ga than with the 870 firing 3" shells.

Regards,

UK2TX
 
My gut reaction is that if the stocks were measured, and the 870's stock modified to match the dimensions on that 10 gauge, the percieved recoil would be less than at present.

Some field grade 870s weight less than 7 lbs, tho 7 1/4 is more the average. With a 1 7/8 oz turkey load, this is a gross violation of the Rule of 96, while the 10 gauge is not as big a deviation.

But enough theorizing. If it works for you, go for it....
 
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