Shotgun patterning

[Thunder Head]

I am not much of a duck hunter. I will probably shoot a couple of small ponds and a beaver swamp for woodies ( a mallard or 2 if were lucky)

Since i had to get a new shotgun i want to pattern it, and see what it looks like. Any one got in choke size/ load combinations for this type of close up shooting.
Gun: Remington 11-87 sp with 26" barrell

[Triton]

Just need to pattern your set up. Try different choke tubes and shot.

Modified, full, i even know some that shoot improved chokes. It's all in how your gun patterns no two are the same. Shot size is what you perfer. Any where from BBB to 3 or 4 shot. Most popular is most likely bb's one shot and two shot for most hunters.

[ducknbuckhunter]

yea triton is right, just have to experiment with it, i use im choke seems to do the trick with black cloud 2's. 11-87 is a good gun most ppl that use them that i know of use modified choke with bb's

[travis_duckhunter]

I shoot an 11-87 and patterned it really in depth this summer. Used dryloks, x-perts, kent, black cloud, and hevi-steel, all 2 shot. All shots were at 30 yards at a 30" circle. My best patterns were actually with improved cylinder using the kents and hevi-steel. I used hevi-steel all year last year out of the 11-87 with GREAT results, but it's over $30/box now! Still have some from last year, but after that it'll be Kents for me.

Like I said at 30 yards IC was my best pattern, but over 40 yards I'd go up to Mod. Full was just too tight at those distances, really wouldnt need it unless shooting around 50 yards or so, which in my book is skybusting anyways. So for me and my 11-87 it'll be IC with kents this year.

Even though my guns shoots this well still pattern for your own, cuz they can shoot completely different! Maybe this will give you somewhere to start though!

[B.M. Barrelcooker]

I shoot my 870 with an ic and 3inch 6's . it is deadly to 40 yards and falls off quick after fifty. Ray on the other hand shoots a modified and AA 71/2s in the 2.75. I don't know if he shoots better or if they are deadlier loads but he kills more ducks. I think he is just better all around and he gets them closer.

[SPURX2]

I shoot an IC as well out of my X2 28" barrell, #4 Drylox. Patterns twices as good as the MOD and I can sure tell it on the ducks.

[Backwater]

SX3 and a Terror .675. Aint never patterened it, i just been shoot'n it.

[Thunder Head]

Thanks guys,
I have done extensive patterning on turkey guns so i know how each barrell can be different. I was just looking for a place to start. Since my shots will probably be under 30 yards i will start will the IC. choke and a few different shell combos. I will probably do the mod as well just to see waht happens and for longer ranges if i need it.

[JohnChops]

IC with 3" #2 Xpert will make it rain out there all day. :rolleyes:

[smashdn]

If you are targeting mostly woodies I would start out with 4's and improved tube. The fours will kill a mallard dead as a hammer as well.

[Thunder Head]

I was wondering about the 4s. I am no where near any fly way hear in the Ga. mountains. So i will mostly see woodies and a few mallards.

[KyCJ]

I'm going to pattern my SBE at 30 yards today. I bought some Black Cloud ammo and have never used it before. I screwed in a IM choke instead the HF I used last year. I read not to use a ported choke with this ammo. I will also test the M choke to see how they compare. Most of my shooting is farm ponds over a few deks. I have number 2 and 4 shot to test.

I let you know the results if it stops raining. I really hope it rains all day though.

[Wyle E. Coyote]

Genius used to shoot on the EKU Trap Team and that is why he shoots dem AA loads! But seriously, his 870 with a mod choke will put 385 shot pellits in a 30 inch circle at 30yds!