Actions vs spread and distances

[theboyscout]

Similar to mymrifle post. Is it true the action of your shotgun affects the distance and spread oofthe shot. Growing up I was always told that a break barreel shotgun closes and seals better than a bult action and a bult action better than a semi auto or pump. And with the action closed or sealed tighter more gasses have to go out the front of the barrel thus pushing the the shot more effectively to it's max distance and power better. Which may keep the shot tighter. Is that true?

 

[George P]

No, it does not. Spread is dictated by the choke at the muzzle; distance by the velocity exiting the barrel. All actions seal the breach, otherwise you'd have blow back in your face

 

[Mizar]

That is in the same ballpark as the statement, that a gas operated semi-auto shotgun has lower muzzle velocity because of the escaping gasses thru the gas port...

 

[hq]

That is in the same ballpark as the statement, that a gas operated semi-auto shotgun has lower muzzle velocity because of the escaping gasses thru the gas port...

That's the theory. However, the pressure loss seems to be negligible in practise. My personal experiences of shooting identical rounds through chrony with the same gun, gas port open vs. closed, have never resulted in any measurable difference at all. Average velocities stay the same within the accuracy of the chronograph.

 

[kudu]

I have actually found by reloading my shotshells that the slower you go the tighter the pattern stays. Less deformed shot and less holes in the pattern. My 7/8oz reloads going 1100fps throw as even and tight a pattern through an I/C choke as 1 1/8oz factory shell going 1220fps through a mod choke at the same distance. Much less shot dispersing as flyers. When I was younger I spent a lot of time with a pattern board.
Choke and speed will determine how tight shot patterns stay. Action has nothing to do with it.

 

[Mizar]

hq, exactly my point.

 

[243winxb]

What was said in post 5.

Plus hard and/or plated shot deform less, tighter patterns.

Mixing plastic buffer in with lead shot keeps pellets from being deformed. Nice round pellet=tight patterns.
https://www.ballisticproducts.com

 

[lemaymiami]

Now that this particular myth has been put to rest... Remember that different rounds (even though loaded the same) may and probably will give different results so you really, really have to pattern your shotgun - with the ammo you actually plan to use... And while patterning remember that the pattern disperses with distance from your muzzle (ie... much denser pattern at 7 meters than at 15 meters...). At least that's what we taught all of our officers starting in the academy and moving forward.

The real trick is being able to accurately estimate the actual distance between you and your target when you're in a real life situation...