hunting

Northman999,

I think it has more to do with patern density than shots speed...

I don't have numbers for 8.5"... but...



Personally, I like 26" barrel best for hunting... but that's because I find they 'swing' better.

Interesting Mike.

You may very well be right. I just know that an 18.5" bbl, with cheap field loads has about a 25 yard max "guaranteed kill" range on rabbits and grouse, but slip in a heavy duck load (still 2 3/4" mind you) and you get an extra five yards out of it. I'm sure the duck load has about twice the lead flying too, so that will obviously help.
 
Shorter barrels due tend to pattern less densely, regardless of choke. A mod choke 18" barrel patterns more sparsely than a mod choke 28" barrel. The reason is wad pressure, there is more pressure on the wad of the 18" barrel's load than the 28" when the wad and shot leave the muzzle. The effect is to 'push' the pellets out in a more erratic, wider pattern. The tightest patterning chokes aren't actually super-full turkey chokes etc, but wad retarding chokes, for the same reason. The less pressure on the shot column slamming it out as it exits the barrel, the less spray. If you don't believe me shoot your 8.5" cylinder bore versus even just 20" cylinder bore shotgun with equal loads on the patterning board. My guess is a 28" cylinder or skeet choked barrel will outperform even a threaded in full choke in the 8.5" for 40 yard patterns.
 
I got a grizzly and its damn loud, never shoot it without ear plugs now but learned it the hard way when I first got it. Got a slight ring to the left ear all the time now. Cant listen to music loud either. Owell.

Crazy_Farmer:

That is an expensive lesson to learn! I hope this serves as a reminder to others to wear their hearing protection when they are out shooting! I am sorry to read about your hearing loss. :(

Regards,

Chizzy
 
At about 7 paces, the 8.5 griz, has a pattern about 8 inches. Roughly the same size for both 7.5 trap loads and buckshot. It'll hit hand tossed clays halfway decently, but you'll never make any friends or set any records at the trap club.
 
There are currently no formal hunting seasons for zombies in any province, therefore i think a different shotgun is an order for hunting purposes :)

Grizzly is an 870 clone, right? Can you put a longer 870 barrel on it?
 
Not on the 8.5", since the mag tube is shoter...


Ardent

Thanks for the info! It explains why choke tubes like the Patternmaster (with its little tab to slow the wad) seem to work so well...

Patternmaster_cutaway.jpg


Patternmaster_newchoke2.jpg
 
Am I missing something here? You can hunt with an 8.5 inch barrel shotgun? Wouldn't that be a restricted range queen? I'm confused.

Nope, apparently you're new to the firearms laws and that's ok. You can have a barrel of any length, non-restricted, provided it is factory made (you cannot cut down a barrel shorter than 18.5", it has to be manufactured that way), and that the gun doesn't end up shorter than the minimum overall length requirement.

Also, more myths you may believe in but not be familiar with; bullpups aren't illegal, and neither is hollow point pistol ammunition.
 
Nope, apparently you're new to the firearms laws and that's ok. You can have a barrel of any length, non-restricted, provided it is factory made (you cannot cut down a barrel shorter than 18.5", it has to be manufactured that way), and that the gun doesn't end up shorter than the minimum overall length requirement.

Also, more myths you may believe in but not be familiar with; bullpups aren't illegal, and neither is hollow point pistol ammunition.

Thanks for clarifying that, just one more thought, really, in an 8.5 barrel does it matter what choke you have?????
 
Ardent, thanks for that very useful post regarding densities. I'm not much of a shotgunner, but I had experienced those looser patterns with many short-barreled shotguns and couldn't see why it would be the case. Very good information.

mwjones, I've never seen a season listed for zombies, but since they are not a naturally-occurring species I assume that they should be open all year, just like starlings or pigeons. The only problem might be distinguishing an actual zombie from some of the wannabe-zombies frequently encountered in areas like downtown Toronto. Target identification is key!

John
 
Don't know about the other provinces but don't be hunting with a barrel shorter than 12" in BC or the CO's are not going to be very happy with you...
 
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