LETMGROW Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 We have tried many targets to pattern shotguns. This week we made up targets on plain 8 1/2 x 11" paper simply by tracing a 1 1/2 " circle in the middle of the paper, filling in the circle with a black marker and making copies in a copy machine. We taped the target to cardboard from shipping boxes etc, after each shot moved the cardboard over and shot again. The circle gave a good point of aim and pellet counting is easy. The whole setup is cheap and effective. When done I took the cardboard back to work for recycling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Re: pattern target Cool! Good tip for those getting ready for turkey season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Re: pattern target Great tip! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Re: pattern target i absolutely refuse to pattern my guns. that way when i miss, i can just say well, there must be a hole in my pattern... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Re: pattern target Thats funny LOL. When I was a huge duck hunter for years, I was great knocking them down, reloaded all my own shells, then I did the pattern routine and I missed like crazy It must of screwed with my mind. I now pattern pretty much for turkeys and trying different loads and shot. That really is the only way to get to know your guns pattern the best too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Re: pattern target LOL! Yep, but its a little different for wingshooters vs turkey hunters. Todays chokes make it almost mandatory to know where the pattern is gong to be as everyone is choking for 50 yard shots. When the shot is taken at 15-20 yards its actually easy to miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Re: pattern target I've use the back side of large bank calendars, also I've use shelfing paper------both taped to a large cardboard box. Then if I'm patterning 7 1/2's for clay birds, I trace an orange dome in the center & then a 30" circle around it. For turkeys, I tape a Winchester turkey target & counted the pellets in the kill zone. I also look for an even spread of pellets---seeing if it shoots high, low, left or right. IMO---I think the plain old standard full choke is enough for gobblers out to and a little past 40 yards. Plus its open enough for when they are at 15 yards. It's also opinion that a fixed full is the choke to use for trap shooting. It will smoke em at 16 yards & plenty tite for handicap shooting at the 27 yard line. I've seen alot of guys change choke tubes cause of the wind, yardage---whatever. They drop birds because they are thinking about it. Call for the bird, see the bird, break the target------Don't think about anything else. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Re: pattern target I've actually improved my pattern target . I drew a line centered from top to bottom, then a line down in 2 3/4" spacing across the paper. This gives you 8 blocks. Count the number of shot holes in each block and you get a real clear picture of where your shot concentration really is. Helps you keep track of where you have and haven't counted.Do this before you run the targets through the copier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Re: pattern target I do the same thing -sorta. I use old X-mas/B-day wrapping paper taped to my plywood target holder, backside facing out, since it will be white and then tape my home made 8x11 target in the middle. A bit easier then card board and I dont know a wife who does not have a stash of this. Just dont let her know what your doing with it believe me. LOL Found my Red Dot was a bit high and right a few weeks ago thanks to this method. 1st shot looked real good on my 8x11 paper but the mass shown up just off to the right top corner of it. If I did not use the wrapping paper I would of not known... Good Tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Re: pattern target [ QUOTE ] I've actually improved my pattern target . I drew a line centered from top to bottom, then a line down in 2 3/4" spacing across the paper. This gives you 8 blocks. Count the number of shot holes in each block and you get a real clear picture of where your shot concentration really is. Helps you keep track of where you have and haven't counted.Do this before you run the targets through the copier. [/ QUOTE ] This is exactly what I did also....Fortunately for me, I work at a large Supermaket and very large pieces of cardboard are abundant.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Re: pattern target I buy cheap paper food plates to pattern. I use a marker to draw a smaller circle in the middle, and it is cheap and works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted May 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 Re: pattern target I used to do the same but then I found out sometimes I was catching the edge of what I thought was a good pattern. When I started to use a larger background I saw a bigger picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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