HD Shotgun Patterning (With Pictures)

[B yond]

I recently acquired a new shotgun, a Mossberg 590 with a 20 inch cylinder bore, to replace my Mossberg 500 with a 18.5 inch cylinder bore as my primary home defense long gun. Once I got the two side by side, I started wondering how the shot patterns would change from one barrel to the next.

Today I patterned both barrels with 3 different loads (2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot, 3 inch magnum 00 buckshot, and 3 inch magnum 1 1/4 oz hollowpoint slugs), and two different distances (15 yards and 25 yards).

I was surprised how quickly the shot spread from the cylinder bore, and how much difference 10 yards makes.

Here are the pictures (this may take several posts):

15 yards- 2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot from the 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel:
15yd-2.75in 4buck moss500.jpg

15 yards- 2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot from the 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore barrel:
15yd-2.75in 4buck moss590.jpg

15 yards- 3 inch 00 buckshot from the 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel
15yd-3in 00buck moss500.jpg

15 yards- 3 inch 00 buckshot from the 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore barrel
15yd-3in 00buck moss590.jpg

[B yond]

15 yards- 3 inch 1/14 ounce rifled hollowpoint slug from the 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel
15yd-3in slug moss500.jpg

15 yards- 3 inch 1/14 ounce rifled hollowpoint slug from the 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore barrel
15yd-3in slug moss590.jpg

25 yards- 2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot from the 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel
25yd-2.75in 4buck moss500.jpg

25 yards- 2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot from the 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore barrel
25yd-2.75in 4buck moss590.jpg

[B yond]

25 yards- 3 inch 00 buck from 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore
25ud-3in 00buck moss500.jpg

25 yards- 3 inch 00 buck from 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore
25yd-3in 00buck moss590.jpg

25 yards- 3 inch 1 1/4 ounce rifled hollowpoint slug from 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder bore
25yd-3in slug moss500.jpg


25 yards- 3 inch 1 1/4 ounce rifled hollowpoint slug from 590 with 20 inch cylinder bore
25yd-3in slug moss590.jpg

[B yond]

Difference in spread of 2 3/4 inch #4buck at 15 yards and 25 yards:


I think that's pretty telling. There were 27 pellets in that round.

[B yond]

3 inch 00 buck at 15 and 25 yards:

[Thefeeder]

Do some research on the differant chokes and how they are used and it will all make sense

[B yond]

I'm familiar with the various chokes, and have patterned my sporting barrels with various chokes, but had never patterned a short cylinder bore barrel. I was just surprised how quickly the pattern opened up.

[DanDaDude102]

federal makes 00 with a "flight control wad" if you want less spread

[Cokebottle]

Not a whole lot of difference between the 18 and 20" barrels.

But 15-25 yards for home defense? How big is your home that you might have a situation where you would be shooting at a target more than 50ft away?

The shotgun is the perfect weapon for HD (after you fight your way to your SG with your pistol ), but for distances over 30-40ft, I'd be moving to my carbine.

[SparrowHanger]

I'm familiar with the various chokes, and have patterned my sporting barrels with various chokes, but had never patterned a short cylinder bore barrel. I was just surprised how quickly the pattern opened up.

Have you thought about patterning for shorter distances? 15 and 25 yards is pretty far, at least for my house, unless you are out in a rural area and concerned about the rest of your property.

[NOTARPilot]

Pick up some Federal Flight Control Wad....it's an impressive round. And good for you for patterning your guns. I bet most who use a shotgun for HD have never done it.

[caoboy]

7 and 15 sounds more like a HD situation. 7 for the hallway, 15 for the backyard. At least in my house, my hallway isn't that big, and opens up into the living room. I've got a straight shot to the front door. Doubtful they'd be coming that way, but still.

I need to get out to the range and do this as well, once my shotgun gets into my hands!

[CmpsdNoMore]

Just curious, why change to a barrel that's only 2 inches longer?

[B yond]

Just curious, why change to a barrel that's only 2 inches longer?

The 590 also has a larger magazine. Also, I plan to repurpose the 500 as a sporting gun with a much longer barrel.

The extra 2 inches was not a selling point.

[Merc1138]

Patterning at 15 and 25 yards for an HD shotgun? 45-75ft... you live in a mansion or something? I wouldn't care about the pattern past 7 yards for HD.