Patterning at Indoor Range?

amolkapoor said:
I was specifically wondering about an indoor range I'm going to next week, they allow buckshot so I'm wondering if that will be any indication at 25 yards to give me a rough idea of how the pellets hit when I use #7.5 or #8 for Trap.

1- Is it okay to shoot buckshot from a fixed modified choke 28" barrel? I'm guessing my 18.5" cylinder bore barrel should be okay, I have the Mossberg 500 combo.
2- Is it going to be any indication of how a birdshot cartridge would work when I'm shooting trap? Or should I not bother and just enjoy target practice with slugs/buckshot?
3- What is the range at which we shoot Trap anyway? I mean the point at which the pellets hit the clay, is it around 25-30 yards?
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I don't shoot at Toronto indoor ranges, but if they allow buck shot, they probably allow bird shot; just ask. The consideration is not one of penetration of the back-stop, but rather annoyance to adjacent shooters by the boom of a shotgun, or peppering their targets with your load.

To address the numbered questions:

1. It's fine to shoot lead buck through any constriction, but it probably patterns better with your combat style barrel. Only one way to find out…

2. You will not glean much useful pattern information unless you're using the gun, choke, and load you intend to use in the field. That distance is fine for patterning, and will show the percentage of pellets concentrated in a circle of a set size, as well as any gaps in coverage. To compare to other standardized pattern numbers at different known ranges you can adjust the diameter of the circle (30 inch circle at 30 yards would become 25" at 25yds, for instance.)

You probably need bigger target paper, and empty bays beside you, if they will let you pattern in there.

3. Trap has several different rules for the individual games, but you're coming up a bit short in your estimation. In American Trap you stand 16 yards behind the house, and expect to collide with the birds about 50yds out, but if shooting with a Handicap your starting position can go as far back as 27yds. They fly fast, so if you're not quick in mounting and aiming, they will reach ‘useless’ range before you know it!
 
Amolkapoor you are pretty close in your estimate. In trap shooting you want to try and hit the target while it is still rising. The target will hit the ground at 50 yards from the trap house if the machine is set correctly and it isn't to windy out.
 
Goulais said:
Amolkapoor you are pretty close in your estimate. In trap shooting you want to try and hit the target while it is still rising. The target will hit the ground at 50 yards from the trap house if the machine is set correctly and it isn't to windy out.
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Properly set, an un-interrupted bird should land between 50-55yds from the house.

Where *you* hit it depends on your skill, experience, and reaction time! You're standing at least 16yds further back to start.
 
16 yd targets should be hit at about 32-36 yds from the shooter . Industry patterning standards are done at 40 yds that is the distance at which choke is determined doing it at any other distance really gives you no valid information
 
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