Patterning help

timberghost35

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What would you guys say a decent amount of pellets in a 11 inch circle would be? Here is what I got when patterning this afternoon. All with Browning A5
- Longbeard XR #5 3 1/2 with patternmaster code black - 133 at 44 yrds
- MagBlend 3 1/2 5,6, with Hevi Choke - 105 at 44yrds

Both shells tore the target into at 20 yrds.
 
As long as there's no bog holes or gaps in the pattern both those shells more than enough to anchor a gobbler.
 
Generally speaking people test a 10" circle at 40 yards. However, you should be able to get at least 170 (more) in an 11" circle at 40 yards if you're shooting 3.5" shells. I'm guessing your #'s are good enough to kill a bird though.

My A5 would shoot about 170 in a 10" at 40 yards with 3" Mag Blends and a SumToy choke.

It looks like your gun doesn't like the 3.5" Mag Blends and Hevi choke. 105 at 44 yards isn't very good for a 12g 3.5" shell (but probably good enough to kill).

Did you try the Mag Blend in the Pattern Master and the Longbeards in the Hevi choke?

Keep trying different combos - I'm sure you'll find one that works very well. If you happen to be near Lebanon I have a couple of 3" Federal HW #7 shells you could try with that Hevi choke.
 
I did try the Patternmaster with the magblends, but not on a circle. I ran out of shells toward the end when I even thought about the circle. Im heafinv to the house now to get some moelre magblends and try it on the circle. I dont think it likes the hevi choke thats for sure.
 
Either one of those equal a dead bird at 40. The old standard before the htl and the long beard shells was 100 in a 10 @ 40. I've got a old style A5 stalker with a IC that does right at 200 with 3" #5 LB's, but in reality it's about too tight. Before all these newer shells and chokes I killed them just fine with combos that were lucky to break 100 at 40. If you don't want to buy anymore chokes to play with, just pick the one with the most even pattern for your max range and go hunt.
 
timberghost35":2klscrq8 said:
What would you guys say a decent amount of pellets in a 11 inch circle would be? Here is what I got when patterning this afternoon. All with Browning A5
- Longbeard XR #5 3 1/2 with patternmaster code black - 133 at 44 yrds
- MagBlend 3 1/2 5,6, with Hevi Choke - 105 at 44yrds

Both shells tore the target into at 20 yrds.

Did you draw the circle before or after you shot?
 
Circle was drawn before the shot. After pulling them back out, there isnt much difference in the 2. Tom Im going to pick up some Hevi13s to shoot out of the Hevichoke and also shoot the magblends out of the Patternmaster. At 20 yrds, both blew holes in the target, but after about 20 shots with 3 1/2 loads, my shoulder was getting sore... lol. Ill try to post pics of them all tom to update.
 
timberghost35":3hott9s5 said:
Circle was drawn before the shot. After pulling them back out, there isnt much difference in the 2. Tom Im going to pick up some Hevi13s to shoot out of the Hevichoke and also shoot the magblends out of the Patternmaster. At 20 yrds, both blew holes in the target, but after about 20 shots with 3 1/2 loads, my shoulder was getting sore... lol. Ill try to post pics of them all tom to update.
get you some 3 in then, but if your shooting at a turkey you will never feel the kick anyway.
 
timberghost35":3kfzjl4q said:
Circle was drawn before the shot. After pulling them back out, there isnt much difference in the 2. Tom Im going to pick up some Hevi13s to shoot out of the Hevichoke and also shoot the magblends out of the Patternmaster. At 20 yrds, both blew holes in the target, but after about 20 shots with 3 1/2 loads, my shoulder was getting sore... lol. Ill try to post pics of them all tom to update.

Try it this way....

Draw a dot or something on the paper big enough to see.

Aim at that dot. Shoot.

Go find the most dense part of your pattern. Draw a 10" circle around that area. It might not be dead center of the paper.

Count the shot within the circle.

----

Here is an example. I was aiming at the big black dot in the center, but the most dense part of my pattern was always a little low. I know that I need to aim a little high when using this choke/shell combo.

Hcstym7.jpg
 
I never thought of it that way TNReb. Ill try that. Im fixen to bead to the pyramid and pick up some Hevi13 and some HW6s and see what happens. Ill keep you up to date and post the pics this afternoon once im done.
 
You know, my results may be screwed up. I was frawing a circle then shooting at the circle at 40 yrds. Thats what nunbers i got. If i shoot then draw the circle around the densest part, in goinv to get alot better counts.
 
timberghost35":2ww5uyqc said:
You know, my results may be screwed up. I was frawing a circle then shooting at the circle at 40 yrds. Thats what nunbers i got. If i shoot then draw the circle around the densest part, in goinv to get alot better counts.

Yes you will. That's why you wait to draw the circle .

Shoot at 40 yards then do as TNReb said and draw a 10" circle.
 
Well after doing what TNreb advised, my nunbers were messed up. The best pattern i got was the MagBlends 3 1/2 5,6,7. It put 182 in a 10 inch circle. Thanks for the help guys!!
 
timberghost35":dc797u71 said:
Well after doing what TNreb advised, my nunbers were messed up. The best pattern i got was the MagBlends 3 1/2 5,6,7. It put 182 in a 10 inch circle. Thanks for the help guys!!

That sounds more like it! The birds don't stand a chance!
 
Boll Weevil":25d91umr said:
Now just make sure your point of aim and point of impact are the same and you're all st. Good luck.
Oh its dead on. Went and got some turkey head targets and it was smoking them all the way to 50 yrds. Had 39 pellets in the head at 50. Never thought the A5 would make me put the old turkey 870 away. It did tho. Ill say this tho. My arm is sore after 19 shots of magblend 3 1/2s. Dang!! Thats also over $100 worth of shells i just burnt!!
 

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