Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. HANDLOADING • JOHN BARSNESS • HANDLOADING TO CHANGE SHOTGUN PATTERNS Change patterns at the breech end. any shotgunners apparently M believe the choke, like gauge, is something exact and This means many screw-in chokes are “placebos,” like sugar pills labeled aspirin. They don’t actually have any physical effect, but make us feel better because we’re taking a pill or changing tubes. If you’re one of those uncommon shotgunners who actually pattern their shotguns, handloading shotgun shells will not only save money but can actually change chokes. The biggest benefit comes from producing wider patterns, because with modern ammunition most chokes produce tighter patterns than most shotgunning requires — or most shooters can use. This has been a basic problem in shotgunning since the 1960s, when plastic shot-cups tightened patterns considerably. For a century before that, most shotgunners wanted a tighter choke, because most shotshells really needed the help. Today, in fact, most shotguns will produce fine patterns for 90 percent of hunting and clay-bird shooting with no choke at all — exactly the opposite of what was happening back when Fred Kimble or W.W. Greener (take your pick) invented choke during the Victorian Era. The most drastic way of opening up patterns is by placing spacers inside the shot charge, producing “spreader” loads. These used to be commonly offered by the ammo factories, but today we have to make our own. One of my favorite shotguns is a SAUER 12-gauge side-byside that, according to the proof-marks, was manufacturer — or at least proofed — in 1941. (Apparently it was possible for certain Germans to acquire new sporting arms during World War II.) Like most Euro-doubles made during the era, its chokes amount to full and “fuller,” at least with modern ammunition. In theory it’s a light upland gun, since it only weighs 6-1/4 pounds, and many modern hunters would have the chokes opened up by a gunsmith. But I have found the tight chokes not only useful for shooting late-season pheasants but for hunting spring turkeys. Like many German shotguns, it also has sling swivel bases, making it easy to pack around the April hills, and it will dependable. In fact very few shotgun manufacturers agree on exactly how much constriction of the bore makes, for instance, a modified choke. I’ve measured a bunch of shotgun bores and chokes over the years and found 12-gauge “modified” chokes (whether fixed or screw-in) measured anywhere from .010" to .019" of constriction. While .010" of choke normally produces fairly wide patterns with lead-shot ammunition, .019" will often produce what are considered full-choke patterns (70 percent of the shot in a 30" circle at 40 yards). Obviously, the actual patterns any choke throws can vary considerably from our expectations. Most often the patterns are tighter. I’ve seen all three of the screw-in chokes provided with new shotguns produce full-choke patterns, and 90 percent of the time the modified and full tubes produce essentially the same patterns, especially with highergrade ammunition featuring hard shot. late-seasonpheasantsusuallydemandtighter patterns.ThehandloadsforthisoldGerman drillingfeaturedlawrenceMagnumcopperplatedshot,agoodchoicefordenserpatterns. X-Streaminsertsareeasytouse.Justinsert themintotheshotcharge. 16 put plenty of shot in a gobbler’s head at 40+ yards. However, it also becomes a very effective gun for what the Montana game department calls “forest grouse,” blue and ruffed grouse, when shooting spreader loads. These are made by sticking X-Stream spreader inserts from Ballistic Products Inc. into 1-ounce handloads. These little plastic Xs open up the patterns so much only about half the shot lands in a 30" circle at 40 yards. This is basic improved-cylinder performance, and helps a lot when a big blue grouse flushes through the pines at only 20 yards. BPI’s loading advice is to just load your shells like usual, except for inserts, because they don’t increase pressures. I have found in some loads the shot WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM • DECEMBER 2009