Shotgun personality does vary: patterning test

O

Oleg Volk

Staff Alumnus
Didn't pick up Estate buck in time so the text was limited to Federal 9-pellet Classic and the 12-pellet S&B buckshot loads. With Federal at ten yards, the spread from runt's IC barrel was roughly a foot and the "pattern" was uneven. With the much-maligned S&B, the pattern was very even and half the size. So much for relying on other people's tests! AA Heavy trap load 7 1/2 spread over two feet at the same distance. FWIW, S&B did kick more and I was not tempted to try her 870.

Clarification: Good job runt_of_the_litter -- it was her 870 and her shoulder taking up the recoil.
 
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Good job, Oleg. And Erick is right, nothing can be taken for granted about a specific load in a specific bbl. Obviously, the much maligned S&B load is the better choice....
 
Always a good idea to check every load with every barrel and choke.

The same model often varies with each choke tube, especially with SXS and O/U.

Try the same shot with 8 and 9 shot. You will be amazed how patterns open or close up with different size and hardness shot.

At the last TFL NE shoot one deer hunter tried three different guns with the buckshot loads he purchased. All three guns patterned differently and he finally decided on one of the guns he felt shot a usable pattern.

I personally would have tried several different loads with one gun to find the one I was comfortable with.
 
OK

But th shooter apparently got a good deal on some buckshot and decided to find a gun to shoot it with. I can understand his motives.:D
 
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