More Questions on patterning.

[tech]

Reading on patterning then following through and checking various loads for various shotguns I got to wondering.
For general defensive purposes what is the "best pattern"? I have read Mr. McCracken's advise in patterning 101(which has helped me greatly).

"buck should pattern into 15" at the max distance it's employed for max effect and minimum endangerment of others. Measure your torso from side to side just below the armpits as to why 15"."

I agree with that, but what is the "best pattern" within the said 15"? Fed 00 does well with group size but seems to throw around three to five pellets together in a string with both of my 870's while S&B group a bit larger but pellet dispersal seems better?

I would think that the better dispersal would outweigh the tighter group, as that’s why I grabbed the shotgun instead of a pistol.

Whats your opinion on the matter gentlemen?

Mike

 

[Dave McCracken]

Re dispersal....

Shotguns have the great advantage of power, they can dump TONS of energy into a target. When that energy is dumped into the CNS of a threat,the threat ceases to be one.

Dispersal means some of the energy may not be available.

Given my druthers, in a crisis I want my pattern to be as tight as possible. Preferably fist sized or smaller to concentrate the energy into a small, sensitive area like the CNS.

Never regard the shotgun as a means of making up for lack of skills. It's main purpose in combat is to neutralize threats at close range in very short time. Nothing else does this better. Effect demands precise placement, though.

Think of a bowling pin balanced upside down with a medium sized grapefruit on top. THAT'S the CNS, and we trying to hit that with the pattern, all of the pattern if possible.

Hits elsewhere MAY kill and/or stop the target, but they may not be in time to protect us and those we protect. Inserting upwards of half an ounce of lead at high speed into the CNS will STOP the target rat thar, and then. Our job is to insert that charge correctly.

At typical HD ranges,we're using 12 gauge rifles and carbines, not scatterguns.

Try patterning at the 7 yard line and note the minuscule spread. Then, measure, not guess, the longest distance of possible engagement in your domicile. If the pattern's much more than 6", you must live in a very large home.

As for that 15", that's a maximum guideline. All the pellets hitting in that small an area deliver enough energy to neutralize a threat. But, best results will occur when the pattern's that 6" or smaller.

HTH....

 

[tech]

Gottcha thanks.

Mike