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what do you do if your shotgun does NOT pattern well?

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mazzgolf

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
What do you do when your shotgun pattern is bad? Do you change ammo first? Change choke? Reduce your effective range?

I went and patterned my Beretta A300 Outlander with 2 3/4" #6 pheasant loads and BlackCloud 3" BB - both with factory modified choke at 30 yards.

I was happy with the pheasant load pattern. But when I looked at the BlackCloud pattern, I had almost no pellets in the top left quadrant. I have no idea if it was me (maybe I jerked the trigger??) or if it really was the pattern. But I was surprised of such a bad pattern at just 30 yards. What are people's experience with or opinions of BlackCloud? Anyone out there with a Beretta A300 Outlander - what choke/ammo combo do you use for waterfowl (geese) and/or upland game?

I only took one shot with each (pheasant load, blackcloud) - so I don't have any real data on this yet. The gun range was ridiculously crowded and it started to rain. Having to wait for everyone to agree to go "green" and then wait on me as I moved up in front of the line each time I needed to would have ended up taking me hours just to test both loads with my modified and a full choke at 20, 30, and 40 yards. I'll go back during the week, hopefully, I'll have the range to myself.
 
#2 ·
I would first shoot a lot more than one shot. Secondly start with chokes. My Beretta came with many. I use a pattern master for buckshot and that is the only choke I have bought separately for it.
 
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#3 ·
Personally don't like BC. Runs dirty and cheaper shells out there that do the same thing. Out of those higher end shells I do like Hevi Metal but only use that for divers/sea ducks. I shoot a pattern master with kents out of a SBE II. Next time you go bring your improved cyl, mod, and full (if your full is steel shot capable) and bring a bunch of different brand steel. You might realize you shoot a cheap load better much better than the BC.
 
#4 ·
1st. shoot from a firmly supported position not offhand.
2nd. using the same ammo shoot 3 rounds preferably at separate targets sighting exactly the same each time….. DO NOT COMPENSATE BASED ON PRIOR SHOTS

This should tell you if your gun is shooting high, low, left or right with that particular ammo.

Do this with various brands and you will know if its the gun, the ammo or you !
 
#5 ·
Not a fan of black cloud either. I pattern some Bb years ago and it shot like shit out of my beretta. Change shells and do it again. Way better options out there.
 
#6 ·
If your pattern is good with one round and not another then the solution is clear don't use the brand rounds that do not pattern well and try others. The more time spent on the range trying different rounds and less time on computer will answer your all your questions.
 
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#8 ·
Many just shoot at a Blank sheet of Cardboard or old window shade and Like what was suggested separate Targets, ( HINT ) Draw a Life size Turkey Profile Like The Head , Shoot at the head see how many pellets hit it, that is The Proof,
 
#9 ·
Black cloud sucks. Don't use it. If your gonna spend money like that but hevi metal. I used to shoot rios which patterned well but then I found that side my side Kent had a more consistent pattern and was more readily available. So I switched. Try a bunch of different shell/choke combinations, see what works out of your gun. If you are missing a lot, try a choke with less constriction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#12 ·
First off, steel and lead pattern differently. You can't compare a generic pheasant load and "sucker steel". I own a few berettas and they pattern steel great. Don't get caught up in that crap they try to sell you on hunting shows. The plain old garden variety steel shot like Winchester expert or federal waterfowl load in 1 1/4oz #2 with IC choke will cleanly take birds day in and day out. If you watch before the early season opens these will be discounted to around 11 bucks a box give or take. The movie stars cripple a lot more birds then you think, you just don't see that part on TV.
 
#14 ·
I cant believe that many people dont like black cloud. Its dirtier, but out of my Vinci with an improved cylinder and modified, it does the job and I notice less cripples. Ive had 5 (yes, 5) ducks in the last two weeks fly off after getting pelted with winchester expert only to watch them die 200 yards away. These were 35 yard shots on decoying birds with 2 shot.

Personally, any heavy metal that doesnt come in a box of ten is worthless in my eyes. One ounce of dampness and the shell brass becomes useless. Me and my buddy both had issues with the brass colar ripping through, leaving the shell in the barrel.

Whatever you do, when that magic combination is found, wait for a rebate, combine that with a sale, use your coupons and save big. I just got 2 cases of black cloud for only $12.25 a box from Cabelas after all the savings.

PS blindside blows
 
#15 ·
I have a A300. Kent fasteel patterns the best in mine out of them, federal, and winchester HV steel. #2 shot patterns the best out of a IC constriction choke and #3 out of modified. I never patterned BB out of mine, I use a 3.5" Winchester SXP for the BB goose loads.
 
#16 ·
I have Carlson and Patternmaster chokes for it but I like the Patternmasters the best. The Patternmasters are a close range and mid range . The Carlson are the waterfowl set which has a close, mid, and long range. The Carlsons aren't bad either.
 
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