Search This Blog

Friday, April 12, 2013

Gauge, Choke, and Shot Selection for Beginners







I get asked this one on a regular basis too it seems.
"What size shot do you think I should use for _________?"

My answer is always the same.
"Depends on your choke, your gauge, the area, and your proficiency."

I guess it kind of goes downhill from there because when someone doesn't even know how to select what size shot to use for... let's just use grouse and a 12 gauge for the sake of the remainder of this article.  When they don't know what size to use for grouse and you start talking to them about choke selection and shot size selection and then they get all offended when you ask them to be honest about their proficiency, well it makes it hard to give them a proper answer.  It's also impossible to explain the science that puts it all together if he doesn't understand the basics.

What it all boils down to is shot density, on target, at range, and your ability to put it there.
Here's the deal, shotguns, just like race cars have multiple ways to achieve the same results.  Each change gives you a benefit in one area, but each change also takes something from another area.  "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." which is Newton's Third Law.

Here is your redneck physics lesson for the day:  When you add more down force in the rear wing of a race car, it results in more traction on the driving wheels making the car stick to the track better in the turns.  On the other hand, you get more wind resistance and more rolling resistance which make the car slower overall.  What you end up with is a car that is really fast in the turns because it sticks to the track, but it is slow on the straights.  The other racer took some angle out of his wing and is now faster on the straights, but has to go slower in the turns.  Both drivers end up with identical lap times, but it make it easier on each driver who can then capitalize on his strengths.  Next time you watch NASCAR pay attention to Kyle Busch and Greg Biffle when they get to running together.  One will run off and leave the other through the turns, but by the end of the next straight the other is right back on him.  Redneck physics.

The same applies to chokes and shot selection.  Before we get into the heart of the matter, let's clarify some things first.  Chokes are like a nozzle on your garden hose.  The more it squeezes (chokes) the water, the tighter the stream of water that squirts out.  There are six rather standard chokes that you can use.  Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Improved Cylinder, Skeet, and Cylinder Bore.  Understand that there are others, but we will just discuss these six.

A Full choke is your garden hose with the smallest stream, and a Skeet choke is the hose with the widest spray pattern.  The rest are somewhere in the middle of these two.  Cylinder Bore is absolutely no choke and is represented by the hose without any nozzle at all.

Now your gun's gauge is what size of water hose you are using.  A 12 gauge is the big, fat, rubber hose from Lowe's and a 20 gauge is the little small plastic hose from Big Lots.  There are hoses that are bigger than these and hoses that are smaller, but each hose squirts water the same distance, just less of it.  Same with shotguns.  The velocity of most shotguns using standard length shells is remarkably similar at around 1250 feet per second, only the amount of shot being used is different.  They can't put as much shot into a .410 "gauge" shell as they can is a 10 gauge shell, but they can make the shot travel the same speed.  (Speaking of .410, it is actually a caliber and not a gauge size.  If it were a gauge it would be a 68 Gauge.)

As long as we are on the subject of gauge, gauge is determined by the number of lead balls the diameter of the bore that it would take to equal one pound.  The bore of a 20 Gauge is 0.625 inches and it would take 20 lead balls that size to equal one pound.  A .410 is a caliber in that point 4-1-0 is the measurement of the bore diameter.  See, the .410 was originally designed back in the late 1880's as a rifle and not a shotgun.  As more and more people found the usefulness of the shot cartridges loaded for the rifle it became more popular as a shotgun than as a rifle.  The venerable 44-40 also had shotgun loadings during this same time.

Okay, moving on.  Your ability to put shot on a target at range and your ability to manage recoil is what determines what gauge shotgun you need.  For the sake of keeping it simple, we are going to presume that we are all average shooters here that are able to hit a target.  Your ability to manage recoil is a different story.  I have watched big dudes get pounded shooting small shotguns.  I have also watched cute little ladies own a 12 gauge.  It is all about technique... and that is something you will have to work on by yourself.  Gauge selection all comes down to one's individual ability to preform in this two areas.  Unfortunately, you can't receive shotgunning lessons via written instruction, so we'll move on.

Shot density is the pepper on the mashed potatoes... little black holes in a piece of white paper.  It is the next consideration and it is simply the number of shot pellets inside a set area at a set range.  This density on target is what determines the choke "sizes" and what choke you need to use.  Shot density and patterning are typically done at the same time.  Density is measured on a paper target four feet square with a single shot from 40 yards range that is fired from a support at a dot in the exact center of the target.  Around that spot, you use a fifteen inch long string to draw a 30 inch circle.  The pattern is the evenness of the shot inside that circle.  A Full Choke will put 70% in it, Modified is about 60%, Skeet about 50%, Cylinder Bore about 40%.  Easy enough right?

Alright, let's start mixing this up then.  The range in which 65% of the shot fall into a 30 inch circle is the standard for determining the range of the choke.  The maximum effective range is what is more important because it is determined by the number of shot in your game.  So let's say that you are shooting high-brass #6 shells and that 65% of the shot from your 12 gauge hit inside that 30 inch circle using a Improved Modified choke at 40 yards and you are hunting grouse as we stated earlier.  There should be enough pellets, say six or eight, in your pattern to bring that grouse down humanely.  On the other hand if you are hunting doves there will probably not be enough in the pattern to do it.  The pattern didn't change.  The yardage didn't change.  The size of the target is what changed.







So how do we put enough shot into that dove at 40 yards?  Well, we can increase the number of shot in the shell by increasing the shell length to a 3 inch magnum, but that's more recoil.  We can increase the number of shot by decreasing the size of the shot to #7 shot, but then you lose energy.  Or just as easily, we could simply increase the tightness of the pattern by going to the Full Choke tube, but then you have a 25 inch circle of shot.  Believe me, 25 inches is pretty small at 40 yards!


Concerning shot size selection, energy retained in the shot as well as hardiness of the game is what determines the shot size needed.  If you are shooting tough pheasant roosters on the wing, you want a shot that is heavy enough to carry sufficient energy to penetrate the feathers and still go through the body.  Heaver shot carries more energy, however there are also less shot in the pattern.  Little sissy birds like doves don't need as much energy and you can therefore use a smaller shot to get more pellets in the bird.




There are many considerations regarding types of shot to use.  The advantages and disadvantages of lead compared to steel, and steel compared to bismuth has been debated at great length over the last 25 years.  Be aware that migratory fowl all require nontoxic shot and also be aware of your local regulations when picking a shot type.  Steel shot tends to shoot tighter patterns due to less barrel deformation.  Lead carries more energy for the same size shot.  You can go online and search for just a second or two and find thousands of debates about shot types.  I tend to use lead whenever it is a legal option.  It is easier on your teeth.  (Speaking of meat prep, look for the little shot hole in the meat and account for every pellet you can in the meat... then run a metal detector over it.)

Okay, last one.  Back to your ability.  Once you learn recoil management, your ability to actually center the shot pattern on the target is the main determining factor in gauge size, shell size, and choke size.  Shot size is actually rather easy... look at the picture on the box of shells.  A better shooter can use a tighter choke and smaller shot than a poor shooter.  Doing this he gets more shot in the bird.  He can also decide to shoot a smaller gauge with a tighter choke with the same shot size and still get more shot in the bird.

While it may be cool to go out and hammer away at doves all day with 3 1/2 inch magnums, that evening you will pay for it!  Meanwhile the old geezer in your group that shot just as many rounds from a 28 gauge and took just as many doves will be laughing at you.  He'll also out shoot you tomorrow because he won't be so sore!

All this info here is written using birds as the example, but remember they are just the example.  The same applies to big game such as deer and large birds such as turkey and geese.

One last word of warning... Do NOT shoot slugs through any choke tighter than an Improved Cylinder.  Doing so will damage your barrel, your choke, your face, your hand, or all the above.  If available, always use a Cylinder Bore choke or barrel with slugs, or if you can afford it, buy a rifled slug barrel.

I hope this helps somebody out in their selections.  Feel free to share this around and Happy Hunting!



                  

21 comments:

BogSpores said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BogSpores said...

Outstanding article with a lot of useful information! Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Will said...

My pleasure sir! I hope all my articles are useful to ya!

John said...

fake oakleys
swarov ski jewelry
nike running shoes
jordan shoes
nike huarache
oakley sunglasses
tory burch outlet
kobe bryant shoes
toms outlet
marc jacobs
uggs on sale
hollister co
hollister
toms shoes
instyler max
ugg slippers
timberland boots
moncler jackets
nike tn
michael kors outlet online
polo ralph lauren
michael kors handbags
ghd hair straighteners
christian louboutin outlet
ugg sale
coach factory outlet
celine handbags
canada goose outlet
burberry outlet
kevin durant shoes
supra shoes
20151005yuanyuan

Unknown said...

20151020 junda
Coach Factory Handbags Outlet Store
nfl jerseys
coach canada
Michael Kors Outlet Deals Online
Abercrombie and Fitch Outlet Sale
louis vuitton outlet
Michael Kors Outlet Real Handbags Online
Jordan 6 Rings Powder Blue
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton handbags
cheap uggs
cheap toms shoes
coach factory outlet
Louis Vuitton Outlet USA
ralph lauren uk
ugg boots
Discount Ray Ban Polarized Sunglasses
Ugg Boots,Ugg Boots Outlet,Ugg Outlet,Cheap Uggs,Uggs On Sale,Ugg Boots Clearance,Uggs For Women
ugg boots
air max 95,nike golf,nike janoski,air max 1,nike canada,nike plus,nike shox,nike factory store
coach outlet
ugg boots clearance
coach outlet online
Michael Kors Outlet Handbags Factory Price
Louis Vuitton Handbags Factory Store
Michael Kors Outlet Sale Clearance
coach factory outlet
ugg boots australia
canada goose jackets
louis vuitton outlet

oakleyses said...

michael kors outlet online, uggs on sale, ray ban sunglasses, ugg boots, polo ralph lauren outlet online, chanel handbags, prada outlet, replica watches, tory burch outlet, christian louboutin uk, christian louboutin outlet, oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton outlet, jordan shoes, nike outlet, nike air max, michael kors outlet online, polo outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, longchamp outlet, michael kors outlet, nike free, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp outlet, tiffany and co, uggs outlet, louis vuitton outlet, michael kors outlet online, nike air max, michael kors outlet, tiffany jewelry, ugg boots, uggs outlet, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, burberry handbags, kate spade outlet, oakley sunglasses, replica watches, louis vuitton, gucci handbags, michael kors outlet online, christian louboutin shoes, ray ban sunglasses

oakleyses said...

vans pas cher, polo ralph lauren, nike free uk, nike air max uk, air max, coach outlet, hollister pas cher, polo lacoste, hogan outlet, converse pas cher, timberland pas cher, sac vanessa bruno, new balance, michael kors, hollister uk, michael kors outlet, true religion outlet, north face uk, nike air max, michael kors, ray ban pas cher, coach purses, louboutin pas cher, sac longchamp pas cher, michael kors pas cher, ray ban uk, nike air force, guess pas cher, longchamp pas cher, coach outlet store online, nike blazer pas cher, nike roshe run uk, true religion outlet, mulberry uk, sac hermes, coach outlet, true religion jeans, jordan pas cher, kate spade, true religion outlet, nike tn, abercrombie and fitch uk, north face, ralph lauren uk, burberry pas cher, lululemon canada, nike roshe, nike air max uk, nike free run, oakley pas cher

raybanoutlet001 said...

michael kors handbags
patriots jerseys
coach
ray bans
fitflops sale clearance
cheap jordans
michael kors outlet online
ralph lauren outlet
nike trainers
true religion jeans

Unknown said...

nmd
true religion outlet
adidas ultra boost uncaged
yeezy boost 350
nike air huarache
chrome hearts
roshe run
james harden shoes
air jordan
nike zoom

caiyan said...

coach factory outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
christian louboutin shoes
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors bags
cheap jerseys
fitflops sale clearance
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses
coach factory outlet
0428shizhong

adidas nmd said...

rolex replica
ray ban sunglasses outlet
polo ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet
oakley sunglasses
bengals jersey
cleveland cavaliers
san antonio spurs jerseys
saints jerseys
fitflops sale clearance

Unknown said...

ralph lauren outlet
omega outlet
ugg slippers
sac louis vuitton
ralph lauren uk
ugg outlet
toms shoes for women
cheap ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
air huarache

Unknown said...

ugg clearance
calvin klein outlet
ray ban sunglasses
supreme clothing
michael kors tote handbags
coach outlet store online clearances
supra shoes
blackhawks jersey
uggs clearance
ray ban canada
201710.6wengdongdong

Unknown said...

coach factory outlet
coach outlet
miami heat jersey
nike air max 90
michael kors uk
christian louboutin shoes
tods outlet
polo ralph lauren outlet
polo ralph lauren
miami dolphins jerseys

Unknown said...

2018119 leilei3915
ugg outlet
fitflops clearance
adidas nmd
uggs outlet
adidas outlet online
canada goose outlet
adidas yeezy shoes
nfl jerseys wholesale
ugg boots
christian louboutin outlet

xjd7410@gmail.com said...

20180503 hxy
tory burch outlet
polo ralph lauren shirts
coach factory outlet
grizzlies jerseys
coach outlet online
coach outlet
lakers jerseys
ralph lauren
pandora charms
louis vuitton outlet

chenlili said...

michael kors purse
ralph lauren
pasotti ombrelli
ugg boots
adidas outlet
lululemon
jordans
vibram fivefingers
louboutin
flops
chenyingying20180921

Unknown said...

nike air max 90
birkin bag
nike store
converse shoes
ugg outlet
burberry outlet
kd 10 elite
marc jacobs handbags
ugg boots
kate spade outlet
2018.11.5chenlixiang

Coqicoqi said...

Air Jordan 4 Retro
Red Bottom Shoes For Women
Kyrie 3 Shoes
Jordan 11
Air Jordan 9
Jordan Retro
Air Max 270
Pandora Charms
Air Jordan 9
Ryan20190217

PalaPala said...

Red Bottom Shoes For Women
Jordan 11 For Sale
Jordan 4
Air Jordan 9
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Pandora Jewelry Official Site
Jordan Retro 11
Air Jordan Retro 11
Pandora Outlet
Yeezy boost 350 v2
Latrice20190326

Coqicoqi said...

Red Bottom Shoes
Air Jordan 4 Retro
Kyrie 3 Shoes
Pandora Jewelry
Yeezy boost 350 v2
Pandora Jewelry
Nike Air Max 270
Red Bottom for Women
Pandora Jewelry
Jordan 4
Ryan20190327