If you’re hunting ducks, pheasants or any type of bird for that matter, and not patterning your shotgun, you’re just guessing. Patterning shows what your gun actually does, not what the box says it should do. Don’t take someone else’s word for it — you gotta see those holes on paper yourself. Once you do, you’ll know your limits, how your gun shoots, and how to make cleaner kills. It’s one of those things that sounds boring until you realize how much better it makes you. Here are a few tips I’ve learned when patterning my guns.
Start with a clean barrel and the choke you plan to hunt with. Use the exact shells you’ll carry in the blind. Companies like Pattern Pros make it easy to figure out which shell and choke combo hits right for your setup. Change one thing at a time. Write it all down — gun, choke, load, and range — so you don’t forget what worked.
Set up a good board with paper that’s tight so it doesn’t rip when you shoot. Try realistic distances like 30, 40, and 50 yards, depending on what you hunt. Take three shots at each and label them all. Don’t eyeball your patterns; count holes or grid them so you know where it hits. Seeing how that shot spreads out will tell you real quick what’s working and what’s not.
If your pattern’s high or low, aim where the dense part hits, not where you wish it did. If it’s got big holes or a donut in the middle, swap your choke or try a different shell before you blame the gun. Things like temperature, fouling, and even new ammo lots can change your results, so check it once in a while. Keep notes and photos for reference. It’ll save you time, money, and a lot of cussing later.
Shimming your shotgun is the sure fire way to raise or lower your pattern. Depending on where you shoulder the gun and have a consistent cheek hold will make a huge difference. Put the gun on a lead sled, bag or some type of solid rest to make sure you get consistency. This is key. The RETAY ACE for example, comes with multiple different size shims and casts that can move your pattern so it’s consistent to where you want it.
When you hit the field, hunt inside your pattern’s limits. If it’s tight inside 40 yards, shoot inside 40 — don’t push it. If your spread looks thin, move closer or change shells. Once you trust your setup, you’ll shoot calmer and cleaner every time. Do that work now, and you’ll drop more birds and waste a lot fewer shells.
– Chris Seaton (RETAY Pro Staff Member)
