A bunch of us at my club shoot 3/4 and 7/8oz loads at all the games. I believe less choke is needed with 3/4oz 12ga loads. Myself and other shooters have broke birds solidly out to 45yds with skeet chokes using 3/4oz loads. From what I've read the patterns will be better with a larger bore because the shot column height is less meaning less set back when fired so the shot at the back of the column isn't deformed as much. I shoot just old SxS's and in my 10 gauges I use 1oz loads. Before chokes were invented, the muzzleloading pigeon ring shooters used less powder and shot for the second shot to get tighter patterns. I don't pattern either, maybe should, but if I'm on at 35 or 40 yds with 3/4oz in the 12 the birds break very good.
Last edited by Paul Harm; 04/04/16 02:23 PM.
