Would like any and all opinions on these patterns. (Apologies for poor iPhone pics). This is HW15 #7s, 1 oz (221 pellets), and BPI lists this load at a smoking 1700 fps. Unfortunately my Labradar does not detect shotgun charges, so I cannot verify velocity, but I think it's safe to say these are smoking fast. These are for pheasant. CONSEP says 90-95 pellets required at X range.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
Too bad your Labradar wasn't able to record the charge, it would have been interesting to see how optimistic Kurt was on the velocity. If you get the chance, a pressure reading would be interesting too. In the past, Kurt has been a little optimistic there at times. Some of his data has been enlightening.
Those patterns are far too dense for my purposes when chasing pheasants. Even at 40 yards that load would be putting far too many pellets in the bird if centered and the edges look a little thin if not centered. That looks like an interesting load for diving ducks from a shore blind but I would prefer much more open patterns at the much closer ranges pheasants are shot.
Interesting. Well here are another two of the same load choked Cylnder that I didn’t post before because I ran out of butcher paper and am missing the 40-yd pattern.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
For me I think that is too much of a good thing. I'd for sure go up in pellet size to try and reduce the number of pellets in the bird. I hunt over a pointing dog and just don't need that tight of patterns I guess, even on wild flushers.
Let me get this organized now, first CYL, 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards, then IMP CYL, same ranges.
20 YARDS - CYLINDER
30 YARDS - CYLINDER
40 YARDS - CYLINDER
50 YARDS - CYLINDER
20 YARDS - IMP CYL
30 YARDS - IMP CYL
40 YARDS - IMP CYL
50 YARDS - IMP CYL
Appreciate all input.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
Thanks for the input. I think I can live with the CYL patterns, but I ordered a Skeet 1 choke to try to split the difference between the CYL and IC. We'll see what effect it has.
Gonna put up some 28 ga patterns here next. #11s.
I may have some #9s around too.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
Rick- Even your Cylinder choke is too tight for your 30yd and under patterns for pheasant. I believe that Carlson or Trulock make "negative " spreader choke tubes which are over the barrel bore size. I'd love to see these patterns repeated with chokes 10 and 20 thousandths over bore. This load would be well suited for a twin barrel shotgun, especially for pheasant. A spreader tube in one barrel, the IC or Skeet2 (Light Modified) the other, and I want to see 60 and 70yd patterns. That would be an incredibly adaptable short and long range shotgun.
Those are incredibly dense patterns. Should not have to worry about runners.
Originally Posted by BrentD
I would not buy something that runs on any kind of primer given the possibility of primer shortages and even regulations. In fact, why not buy a flintlock? Really. Rocks aren't going away anytime soon.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
I can't imagine why you're taking the jolt of a 1700 fps load when shooting TSS at a 40-yard pheasant. That extra velocity isn't doing anything positive for you except making you slower on the second shot and knocking your dental fillings loose.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.