I now have 1 box samples for 6 different low pressure loads to shoot in a couple of old Belgian guild doubles. I did a little patterning at 20 yards yesterday just to see how they looked. When looking at all of the little holes in the paper, it occurred to me that I really had no idea what pattern would be best for grouse hunting in the North Woods with and without dogs.
Last night I had a brain storm. I can shoot my Browning 325 with the chokes and loads I like and then have an idea of the known performance and patterns they produce. I can then shoot the low pressure loads in the 325 and compare that to the SxS's. Make sense, or is it crazy?
So what do you do when patterning for grouse? At what range do you pettern test, and what percentages are you looking for? Last night I read the patterning info in O'Connor's "The Shotgun Book," and did several searches on this site to see what had been written in the past. Any info or experiences would be appreciated. THe only patterning I have doen in th epast was for turkey guns, and that is just looking for dense, even patterns at 40-50 yards. At least these loads do not recoil like 2oz loads in a 3" magnum.
