Pattern-size at station 8 Skeet

[The Annoyed Man]

Oh gee, I don't know.

What do you guys think? Can my punk RottenApple kid come along? Maybe he won't pester us grownups too much.

If he'll hold an umbrella for me and fetch a mint julep once in a while, he's more than welcome.

[Pawpaw]

Oh gee, I don't know.

What do you guys think? Can my punk RottenApple kid come along? Maybe he won't pester us grownups too much.

Just remember one thing, Old Man.... I get to pick your nursing home when get even more senile than you already are!

I ain't worried. I've got your sister here to look after me. She likes me.

At least she says she does...

[C-dub]

This is shaping up to be a fun day.

[gringo pistolero]

Because station 8 is a very close target - especially when overhead - I've been curious for a while as to just how big the pattern is of a skeet-choked shotgun at that distance. Obviously, this would be to try and determine "Ok, how much room for error do I actually have?"

I used some basic geometry to determine that the distance when the clay is overhead is about 8 yards - from the ground. Add a person with a shotgun and we can call it about 5 yards from gun-muzzle to the bird. 45 miles an hour at only 5 yards away - pretty darned challenging.

I finally put gun to cardboard at 5 yards and also 8 yards (the latter to presume a shot taken a little bit quicker and hence a bit more distance) - here's what I found using a 12 ga Skeet choke:

[ Image ]

That cardboard was taken from a clay-pigeon crate, so the circles are actual size - about a 4" diameter.

Bottom line seems to be - if you can shoot the bird even a fraction of a second quicker, the far wider your pattern will be. Directly overhead doesn't leave much room for error - as we know - but I had to see for myself exactly how much room there was.

Thank you for posting this, especially the picture. Those of us who keep a shotgun for home defense should take the time to do a similar exercise with our HD shotty and ammo at room and hallway distances.

[RottenApple]

I ain't worried. I've got your sister here to look after me. She likes me.

At least she says she does...

"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

[Pawpaw]

Thank you for posting this, especially the picture. Those of us who keep a shotgun for home defense should take the time to do a similar exercise with our HD shotty and ammo at room and hallway distances.

Did mine and v-rog's a while back:

[ Image ]

If I bring my Mossberg with me Saturday, would you help me do this after we shoot skeet?

I have a couple of different 00 buck loads to try, but I'm most interested in seeing what the Federal FliteControl does.

[couzin]

If I bring my Mossberg with me Saturday, would you help me do this after we shoot skeet?

I have a couple of different 00 buck loads to try, but I'm most interested in seeing what the Federal FliteControl does.

If you can't get this done then - I would be happy to take you to my club since you are up in Hunt County and we are just south of Tawakoni in Kaufman County. We have a steel plate grease board you can use. Maybe a few rounds skeet or trap also - way cheaper than Elm Fork!!

[Pawpaw]

If I bring my Mossberg with me Saturday, would you help me do this after we shoot skeet?

I have a couple of different 00 buck loads to try, but I'm most interested in seeing what the Federal FliteControl does.

If you can't get this done then - I would be happy to take you to my club since you are up in Hunt County and we are just south of Tawakoni in Kaufman County. We have a steel plate grease board you can use. Maybe a few rounds skeet or trap also - way cheaper than Elm Fork!!

Sounds great! Thanks!