sxsman1 - there is no such thing as "correct patterning." Barrel marks for choke refer to constriction and do not exactly refer to pattern performance. Patterns show the result of a given load in a given gun for a given shot; if you really want to know how a given load performs in a given gun, you will need to average not less than five patterns and ten is better. Counting holes in a circle of some diameter at some distance is a very poor surigate for statistical analysis of the shot distribution, target vital area, and distance of the target. A very pragmatic approach is to first determine the vital area of your target and required number of hits: clays are about 5 sq inches for edge presentation, 10 sq in for quartering, and 15 sq in for face, birds can be approximated by 1 sq inch per oz of weight. Make a circular disc of the correct area (5 sq in = 2 5/8" dia, 10 sq in = 3 9/16" dia, and 15 sq in = 4 3/8" dia). Using the shot size required for penetration of the target and shooting at the most likely distance, use the proper disc to assess the maximum effective diameter of the pattern where the lethal number of hits is likely to fall within the disc. Also, look for holes within the pattern. Shoot the next pattern at five additional yards and compare effective pattern diameters; is the effective diameter of the pattern blooming or withering? Do it agin for another 5 yards out. As you get further away, the pattern effective diameter will first bloom to some maximum and then wither. The effective diameter is still lethal, but the allowable aiming error goes down as the distance increases and the pattern effective diameter withers. Choke effect delays bloom for up to 10 yards or so. Using Cyl as a baseline, each increasing choke effect will have a more distant point where the withering Cyl effective pattern diameter and blooming choked effective pattern diameter cross over. From that point on, the choked pattern will give a larger aiming error allowance. Note that the center of a Cyl pattern will remain effective to some pretty remarkable distances. However, you will approach rifle shot aiming error allowances.
When you reach the distance where you can't be sure of staying within the aiming error allowance, you must increase choke effect, increase shot count, or set a target range limit for yourself. If you are already at full choke, then you must increase the shot count. If the gun is at maximum shot charge and minimum shot size for the target at that range, then you must increase guage.
The above is not "correct," but it will really tell you something for your work.
