RIO Vs FIOCCHI

[Reductio]

Well what you don't want is a doughnut-looking shape: you'll hit everything except what you were aiming at.

Beyond that, it's a matter of debate, but I prefer the tightest pattern you you can get. It's not a huge deal with the distances you're dealing with inside a house though, so it's your call.

[sargenv]

Just so you all know.. that the DRAM rating is a "Dram Equivalent to Black powder and the only bearing it has is the speed of the load.. though it can be misleading depending on the weight of the shot..

3 1/4 - 7/8 = 1350 fps (7 - 00 buck or more of a smaller size)
3 1/4 - 1 = 1290 fps (usually 8 - 00 buck)
2 3/4 - 1 1/8 = 1150 fps (9 - 00 buck)
3 - 1 1/8 = 1200 fps (9 - 00 buck)
3 1/4 - 1 1/8 = 1255 fps (9 - 00 buck)
3 1/2 - 1 1/8 = 1300 fps (9 - 00 buck)
3 1/4 - 1 1/4 = 1220 fps (10 - 00 buck, or more of a smaller size possibly 12 of #1 buck)

Those are the typical loads that we use in the action games.. the 3 1/2 - 1 1/8 is a rare loading, usually only a reloader might see. Along with velocity, some guns like the Saiga need something with more punch.. I would use 3 1/4 - 1 1/8 loads for it since you get good velocity and the heavier shot charge to work the bolt. My Gold can cycle everything above positively. Most guns will not cycle the 7/8 ounce load and need at least the 3 1/4 - 1 to reliably work.

All that being said, usually the lower velocity loads traditionally have the best pattern but there are other influences too.. shot hardness is one of them. The promo loads tend to have soft shot that encourage flyers.. the target loads tend to have high antimony shot that keeps the pellets rounder and also allow the shot pattern to fly better.. I suspect the Federals use higher antimony buckshot combined with their flight control wad to give excellent patterns, but the downside is that they also cost more.. In competition and self defense, it is always better to use high quality ammo for reliability mainly and pattern density. However the cheaper ammo is good for a lot of practice and teaching you how to recover from ammo related jams.. so take it as you will

[DevilDawgJJ]

Most guns will not cycle the 7/8 ounce load and need at least the 3 1/4 - 1 to reliably work.

So the 3" Magnum 7/8 slugger will not function in my 870?

As for the Winchester Military Grade OO, it has a max dram of 3.631, with a 1345fps. This is considered a hot load, right? 1345 is better than 1150?

I (probably) have this misconception that the better rounds are the ones with a higer (fps).

Still not track'in the whole DRAM issue???


Semper Fi

[CDMJ]

Very Well....

Just what exactly is the pattern I'm looking for?


Semper Fi

Reductio, pretty much said what I would say. However you do want to keep in mind the "what if's". You may one day need to leave the house with your gun and you may even be shooting at some longer ranges. You need to know what your gun and your ammo will do at those ranges. As Reductio said you want an ammo that is going to give you the tightest pattern possible at your chosen range. As I said before every gun and ammo combination will pattern differently. So you it is a good idea to buy a few boxes of different brands to find which type works best in your gun and fits your needs the best. Then go with that as your "go to" ammo choice.

This chart was taken from an article written by Clint Smith about five years ago. I am not sure of the brand of rounds he was using but the guns he was using was a Remington 870.

GUN AND SHELL PATTERN SIZE
CHOKE IN INCHES (circumference)

DISTANCE 3 YARDS

18" Cylinder #7 4 3/4
#6 3 3/4
#4B 3 3/4
00B 2 1/2


DISTANCE 5 YARDS

18" Cylinder #7 9
#6 7
#4B 6 1/2
00B 4


DISTANCE 7 YARDS

18" Cylinder #7 12
#6 11
#4B 9 1/2
00B 6 1/2


DISTANCE 10 YARDS

18" Cylinder #7 16
#6 16
#4B 13
00B 10


DISTANCE 20 YARDS

18" Cylinder #7 29
#6 30
#4B 21
00B 13



For practicing I typically do not shoot much buck it is just too expensive to practice with. It is important to pattern your gun with what you will be using for defense and it is important to shoot what you carry every now and then to keep your teeth sharp. However for practicing loading, moving, shooting around cover, shooting from various shooting positions and continuity of fire using target loads are the way to go. I buy a 100 round brick of 12ga target rounds for $22.84 I normally pick up 300 rounds when I go out which comes out to $68.52. That is a whole lot of shooting for not a lot of money.

[PEZHEAD265]

The Fiocchi is more money because they are nichol plated and the Rio is not.Plated or buffered is better.Why is a tight pattern better?Would a pattern of about 10 inchs or so be better?I thought if you aimed at center mass that you would want to have enough of a spread to hit something vital.Plated 9-12 oo buck or 20 or so #4 buck will get the job done.