NEW Shotgun Pattern Test Results - Detail & Pic' heavy...
- Thread starter GC
- Start date
Rich Cronk
New member
Originally Posted By: TXCOONDOGOriginally Posted By: TXCOONDOG
GC said:50 Yard Patterns...
Byron South and I have discussed this, we both feel you need at least five solid hits for reliable kills. I don't believe in the "magic pellet" and hoping for one or two lucky pellet strikes. Many of these new fangled hi-tech loads have the pellet energy for five good hits to reliably kill coyotes at long range. But can you get the pattern out there.
5 pellets within 12" ring
---------------------------------------
I would have to say five pellets in a six inch circle would be better.
GC
Well-known member
I probably wasn't specific enough in the wording of that original post. When I said “solid hits” I was referring only to the vital tissue such as the heart/lung area which on a coyote is probably about 6” – 8” inches total. Pellets outside the vital area can not be counted on to quickly anchor a coyote for a humane kill and for sure recovery of the animal. Brain and upper neck spine shots would essentially need the same minimal number of pellets flying that direction into that point of aim/impact. I also feel now that the smaller the pellet the more of them you need into that vital tissue. So in the interest of clarity; based upon Number Four Buck five or six adequately sized pellets at minimum (depending upon the size of the pellet – T’s and BB’s could use a few more for good measure) striking the point of aim in the vital tissue or specifically targeted brain/upper neck area would be a good yardstick of minimal performance for reliable kills and quick recovery of the coyote. Or sumpin’ like that…
rynokron
New member
Well I finially got out there and did some patterning. Conditions were real world. Sitting on a chair using shooting sticks with about 10 mph or so wind. Mostly blowing right to left if facing target.
3" #4 Fedral blue box buckshot 25 yards
Same load 40 yards
Winchester 3" Coyote loads. 1 3/8 B's 25 yards
Same load 40 yards
All were shot using a Carlsons Dead Coyote choke out of my Benelli Nova. Also tried Hevi Shot T's, but they didn't work very good. Pattern was tight, but POA was low and right. These were 3 1/2". Not worth posting pics.
Looking for some opinions here, I think I have a real world 40 yard shooter.(just barely) Obviously it could be better. I'm happy enough with the results considering I only tried one choke tube and 3 different loads.
Edit: after posting some of the hits are hard to make out in the black lines.
3" #4 Fedral blue box buckshot 25 yards
Same load 40 yards
Winchester 3" Coyote loads. 1 3/8 B's 25 yards
Same load 40 yards
All were shot using a Carlsons Dead Coyote choke out of my Benelli Nova. Also tried Hevi Shot T's, but they didn't work very good. Pattern was tight, but POA was low and right. These were 3 1/2". Not worth posting pics.
Looking for some opinions here, I think I have a real world 40 yard shooter.(just barely) Obviously it could be better. I'm happy enough with the results considering I only tried one choke tube and 3 different loads.
Edit: after posting some of the hits are hard to make out in the black lines.
Last edited:
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
Coyotes around here generally stand about 20" tall from the ground up to the top of their back. A 12" circle is way bigger than any coyote's vitals. Their chest is perhaps 6-8" tall from the bottom of their rips up to the top of their back, depending on size. Fur makes them look a lot bigger than they are!
Rynokron, your 40 yard pattern will probably kill them eventually, but expect runners 100%. Look for something a little tighter.
Rynokron, your 40 yard pattern will probably kill them eventually, but expect runners 100%. Look for something a little tighter.
DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
Here's a quick visual, scaled to approximate size, assuming both coyotes are about 20" tall to their backs, and the front coyote is closer than the back coyote... You can see that a 12" circle is HUGE on a coyote.
12" = Yellow
10" = Orange
5" = Red
Now, think again about how many pellets you need inside those cirlces in order to stop a coyote DRT.
12" = Yellow
10" = Orange
5" = Red
Now, think again about how many pellets you need inside those cirlces in order to stop a coyote DRT.
Rich Cronk
New member
rynokron,
I would say that with the #4 BUCK load, you are good to 35 yards or so. What brand and model is your shotgun? We should learn what the nominal bore diameter is. For tightest center dense patterns, a .040-.050 of constriction will usually be best. I find it interesting that Hevi-shot fodder strikes low and right with your gun. Mine shoots the stuff high and left. I am hoping that I can zero my speed bead in such a way that I can get away with shooting either Hevi-shot or lead. If I can't do that, I guess that I will re-set the speed bead every time I switch loads.
I would say that with the #4 BUCK load, you are good to 35 yards or so. What brand and model is your shotgun? We should learn what the nominal bore diameter is. For tightest center dense patterns, a .040-.050 of constriction will usually be best. I find it interesting that Hevi-shot fodder strikes low and right with your gun. Mine shoots the stuff high and left. I am hoping that I can zero my speed bead in such a way that I can get away with shooting either Hevi-shot or lead. If I can't do that, I guess that I will re-set the speed bead every time I switch loads.
rynokron
New member
Originally Posted By: Rich Cronkrynokron,
I would say that with the #4 BUCK load, you are good to 35 yards or so. What brand and model is your shotgun? We should learn what the nominal bore diameter is. For tightest center dense patterns, a .040-.050 of constriction will usually be best. I find it interesting that Hevi-shot fodder strikes low and right with your gun. Mine shoots the stuff high and left. I am hoping that I can zero my speed bead in such a way that I can get away with shooting either Hevi-shot or lead. If I can't do that, I guess that I will re-set the speed bead every time I switch loads.
It's a Benelli Nova. Not real farmiliar with shotguns so I don't know the bore diameter. Just getting into the shotgun thing, missed several fast in/ fast out coyotes with the rifle. Most of the spots I hunt a shotgun is a better choice. The Hevi Shot had a better pattern, but POA was off enough I would need a red dot sight to use it. Not out of the question, but would like to try some other choke tubes first. Looking for suggestions on what to try next...
Here's my Nova
I would say that with the #4 BUCK load, you are good to 35 yards or so. What brand and model is your shotgun? We should learn what the nominal bore diameter is. For tightest center dense patterns, a .040-.050 of constriction will usually be best. I find it interesting that Hevi-shot fodder strikes low and right with your gun. Mine shoots the stuff high and left. I am hoping that I can zero my speed bead in such a way that I can get away with shooting either Hevi-shot or lead. If I can't do that, I guess that I will re-set the speed bead every time I switch loads.
It's a Benelli Nova. Not real farmiliar with shotguns so I don't know the bore diameter. Just getting into the shotgun thing, missed several fast in/ fast out coyotes with the rifle. Most of the spots I hunt a shotgun is a better choice. The Hevi Shot had a better pattern, but POA was off enough I would need a red dot sight to use it. Not out of the question, but would like to try some other choke tubes first. Looking for suggestions on what to try next...
Here's my Nova
Rich Cronk
New member
Originally Posted By: rynokron
Rich Cronk said:rynokron,
I would say that with the #4 BUCK load, you are good to 35 yards or so. What brand and model is your shotgun? We should learn what the nominal bore diameter is. For tightest center dense patterns, a .040-.050 of constriction will usually be best. I find it interesting that Hevi-shot fodder strikes low and right with your gun. Mine shoots the stuff high and left. I am hoping that I can zero my speed bead in such a way that I can get away with shooting either Hevi-shot or lead. If I can't do that, I guess that I will re-set the speed bead every time I switch loads.
It's a Benelli Nova. Not real farmiliar with shotguns so I don't know the bore diameter. Just getting into the shotgun thing, missed several fast in/ fast out coyotes with the rifle. Most of the spots I hunt a shotgun is a better choice. The Hevi Shot had a better pattern, but POA was off enough I would need a red dot sight to use it. Not out of the question, but would like to try some other choke tubes first. Looking for suggestions on what to try next...
----------------------------------------------
Nominal bore diameter of your Nova .729, which means that an extended choke tube of .680-.690 should do the trick. I adjusted by speed bead to center the Hevi-shot T,s today. Here are a couple of photos.
rynokron
New member
I have the older "Dead Coyote", not the newer "Coyote". I believe it's .670. I will call Carlsons tomorrow and confirm. Forgive my ignorance, but .670 is tighter than .680 right?
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
Rich Cronk
New member
Originally Posted By: rynokronI have the older "Dead Coyote", not the newer "Coyote". I believe it's .670. I will call Carlsons tomorrow and confirm. Forgive my ignorance, but .670 is tighter than .680 right?
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
-----------------------------
I believe that GC is correct and your bore diameter is .723. I am thinking that you are correct regarding your choke/load producing better patterns than your photos show. I sit on a folding camp stool while patterning, and I rest the forearm on a pair of home made shooting sticks. I can believe that your shoulder is sore also. I went with a gas operated semi-Auto because I knew I wanted to shoot 3&1/2" BOOMERS.
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
-----------------------------
I believe that GC is correct and your bore diameter is .723. I am thinking that you are correct regarding your choke/load producing better patterns than your photos show. I sit on a folding camp stool while patterning, and I rest the forearm on a pair of home made shooting sticks. I can believe that your shoulder is sore also. I went with a gas operated semi-Auto because I knew I wanted to shoot 3&1/2" BOOMERS.
GC
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: rynokronI have the older "Dead Coyote", not the newer "Coyote". I believe it's .670. I will call Carlsons tomorrow and confirm. Forgive my ignorance, but .670 is tighter than .680 right?
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
You are correct that you must be steady when patterning. It is pretty much like sighting in a rifle, the more support you have the better the groups and more precise the actual sight-in.
Another thing, don’t base performance on single shot patterns. It is surprising how on occasion one shell will shoot so much better or worse than the others in the pack. I would shoot at least three shots for an average and five is obviously better yet.
Regarding the choke, a swap of diameters might make a huge difference in your pattern. I’ve seen .005” blow a pattern completely up. Maybe a .680" could possibly be a sweet spot for your particular bore. Or a choke change might be in order as all the various makers have their own little manufacturing designs that may or may not suit your particular barrel and load. I’ve had excellent results from Kick’s, Pure Gold, and Indian Creek. I’ve had less than stellar performance from some other choke makers products. Not saying that some of these others aren’t well made and couldn’t be useful in somebody else’s gun, but that the three I named by brand specifically have always been consistent and reliable products for me.
If that's the case am I pretty much at the best it's going to get? Not that that's a real problem. If I find a load it likes a little better and can get a little better results at 40 yards I think that's pretty decent.
My patterns might have been better from a rest. My shoulder was killing me after a few shots. Thought I hung in there pretty good. It's all black and blue and letting me know I need a limb saver!
You are correct that you must be steady when patterning. It is pretty much like sighting in a rifle, the more support you have the better the groups and more precise the actual sight-in.
Another thing, don’t base performance on single shot patterns. It is surprising how on occasion one shell will shoot so much better or worse than the others in the pack. I would shoot at least three shots for an average and five is obviously better yet.
Regarding the choke, a swap of diameters might make a huge difference in your pattern. I’ve seen .005” blow a pattern completely up. Maybe a .680" could possibly be a sweet spot for your particular bore. Or a choke change might be in order as all the various makers have their own little manufacturing designs that may or may not suit your particular barrel and load. I’ve had excellent results from Kick’s, Pure Gold, and Indian Creek. I’ve had less than stellar performance from some other choke makers products. Not saying that some of these others aren’t well made and couldn’t be useful in somebody else’s gun, but that the three I named by brand specifically have always been consistent and reliable products for me.