Gun: |
Super Black Eagle I |
Gauge: |
12 |
Choke: |
Imporoved Cylinder |
Shot Size: |
8 |
Shot Weight: |
1 1/8 oz. |
Distance: |
40 Yards |
Shells Shot Per Target: |
3 |
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Variables
8 different brands of shotgun shells
Method
1. Hang 48”x48” paper marked w/ 2” black dot.
2. Shoot at dot 3 times w/ each type of shell.
3. Draw a 30” dia. & a 4.5” dia. circle.
4. Count holes in each circle & divide by 3 for avg. density.
*30” Dia. circle is generally accepted as standard size for patterning
**4.5” Dia. circle is referred to here as a focused “kill zone”
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Rank
4.5" Cir |
Rank
30" Cir. |
Shell Brand/
Type |
Avg. Shot
Density 30" Cir |
% +/- |
Avg. Shot
Density 4.5" Cir |
% +/- |
Dram Eq. |
Velocity |
Cost |
Cost/
Break |
1 |
1 |
Remington Premier Nitro Sporting Clays |
186 |
0.00 |
8 |
0.00 |
3.5 |
1300 |
$8.99 |
$1.12 |
2 |
2 |
Winchester AA Super Handicap Heavy Target Load |
184 |
-0.91 |
6.3 |
-21 |
- |
1250 |
$8.99 |
$1.43 |
3 |
3 |
Estate Supersport Competition Target Load |
184 |
-1.29 |
5.6 |
-30 |
3 |
1200 |
$6.29 |
$1.12 |
4 |
4 |
Winchester AA Supersport Sporting Clays |
183 |
-1.45 |
5.3 |
-34 |
- |
1300 |
$8.99 |
$1.70 |
5 |
5 |
Federal Premium Gold Medal |
183 |
-1.83 |
4.6 |
-43 |
"HDCP" |
1235 |
$8.99 |
$1.95 |
6 |
6 |
Remington STS Light Handicap |
182 |
-1.99 |
4.3 |
-46 |
3 |
1200 |
$8.99 |
$2.09 |
7 |
7 (Tie) |
Diana Clay Shooting |
180 |
-3.06 |
2.3 |
-71 |
"MAX" |
- |
$4.25 |
$1.85 |
8 |
7 (Tie) |
Estate Heavy Game Loads |
163 |
-10.0 |
2.3 |
-71 |
3 1/4 |
1255 |
$6.28 |
$2.69 |
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Observations
- The rank order of pattern density is identical using either a 4.5” diameter circle or a 30” diameter circle
- Using 30” diameter circle does not provide distinctive separation between best and worst performers (Δ = 6 pellets)
- Using 4.5” diameter circle (same dia. a clay pigeon) provides distinctive differences of pattern density in the kill zone
- Remington Premier Nitro Sporting Clays consistently provide the best density overall with superior density in the 4.5” kill zone
- Shot shells ranked 2-6 are somewhat middle-of-the-pack performers with respect to 4.5” density measurement
- Cost Per Break
- Consider that a “break” is having a pellet in the 4.5” circle
Price of shells divided by number of pellets in the circle = amount you pay to put a shot in the kill zone
- Remington Premier Nitros and the Estates are the best value; however, Estates are 100 fps slower
- Diana shells are clearly the worst in terms of pattern density & also not a great value even though they are half the price.
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