Patterning for hunting

[Gunwhere]

I need some more thoughts on some extensive patterning i did last year with my franchi affinity with patternmaster code black goose.

I was getting a minimum of 90 percent, and up to 100 percent in a 30" circle at 35 yards. I will likely be hunting mostly canadas, lessers, snows, and ducks. But I have just started and have very little experience with how far ill be shooting them on average etc... Do you think that will be too tight of a pattern? And secondly, if its not too tight will the birds be a disastor to eat/clean after with too many pellets?

Any opinions and thoughts very welcome!

I was just thinking it was good to have that tight pattern to completely drop them or clean miss, and in my head the density seems good but i dont have practical experience knowledge. Also gave me a pattern i could reach out to 55 yards with the right shell if i wanted it. We went and did sporting clays and i shot fairly well with it.

 

[stubblejumper]

I use the Code Black Goose myself, and it works well for me. Shoot for the head and neck, a pattern centered on the breast at less than 20 yards will pretty much ruin the bird.

 

[bWONGER]

Are you shooting over decoys or pass shooting?

 

[pacobillie]

I use the Code Black Goose myself, and it works well for me. Shoot for the head and neck, a pattern centered on the breast at less than 20 yards will pretty much ruin the bird.

Learn how much lead you need on a flying target of that size (sometimes up to 4-5 feet in front of the beak, depending on speed, distance and angle of flight) and try and hit them in the head and neck. Head and neck shots drop birds and save the meat. Practice makes perfect. Go shoot some skeet, 5 stand or sporting clays to learn your leads.

 

[a j cave]

You are good to go for pass shooting but for over decoys you are quite tight. Like said head shots are to strive for. I like to shoot some clays with my field guns and if I get the chance, barn pigeons are good practice.