Noob questions

[hardlyworking]

Good afternoon CalShotGunners!

Soon I'll be taking the new Versamax out to the range to do some shot patterning and slug shooting.

What I have right now is 2-3 kinds of 7.5 birdshot (~75 rounds total) and only 2x 10-round boxes of the Hornady 00 critical defense (with the "tight wad") and 2x 5-round boxes of Remington 1oz slugs

I have on order 4 more kinds of slugs, all at 25-30 rounds each all around 1oz, some low-recoil, up to the barrier/car penetrators from Brenneke

And while I do know how to shoot a rifle, I am brand new to shotguns.

From what I've read here, I want to "pattern" my shotgun in terms of its spread at an anticipated HD distance with my HD load of choice (Hornady)

I also want to check POA vs POI with different loads

How many of each round is a good number for starters? Given that the HD and slugs are ~ $1/round I can't exactly go crazy, I've got family to feed.

Beyond that, is there anything I should be looking for?

[Cuda440]

Patterning is generally more useful to a bird/clay shooter that wants to determine the pattern size at various distances, look for gaps in the pattern that a clay could slip through, and compare ammo to find the most evenly distributed and largest functional pattern.

It's still a good idea with any new shotgun to try a few rounds and learn the POI for each round, but there's not much of a spread or pattern for buckshot, it tends to stay pretty tight.

A few shots of any HD ammo to verify function and POI should be enough to learn the ammo, extensive pattern testing for clays isn't really necessary unless you're really trying to become a top competitor.

my .02

[Atekhed]

For the buckshot you want to shoot it out the various ranges you might use it and see what the shot dispersal is going to look like on average. Flite-control or Versatite (like your Hornady CD) based shot rounds will tend to hold tight pattens out to 25 yards easily before seeing any spread or fliers but again that depends on the shotgun as well. Normal buckshot can start seeing significant spread/fliers from 10 yards out. Really close range most all perform the same generally.

Slugs you would generally check POA/POI much like a rifle. Shoot them at select distances in 3-5 shot groups to get an idea of how your shotgun groups.

[hardlyworking]

Thanks guys! That's what I was looking for

[epic1856]

And while I do know how to shoot a rifle, I am brand new to shotguns.

Beyond that, is there anything I should be looking for?

Back up a bit, before you start figuring our what type of rounds, POA, and patterning boards. You need to learn how to shoot a shotgun. Shooting a rifle and shooting a shotgun are two different things especially if you start to do some of the clay bird games. If you start mounting and shooting your shotgun like a rifle, you're going to have a harder time at it.

If I was you I would take the skeet clinic.

[hardlyworking]

Back up a bit, before you start figuring our what type of rounds, POA, and patterning boards. You need to learn how to shoot a shotgun. Shooting a rifle and shooting a shotgun are two different things especially if you start to do some of the clay bird games. If you start mounting and shooting your shotgun like a rifle, you're going to have a harder time at it.

If I was you I would take the skeet clinic.

That is absolutely what I plan to do. I just have to get time scheduled. I plan to bring a friend for the 9/24 clinic (going from memory on that date).

In the mean time I figure I can put a few slugs down at 50 yards using the front bead no? I DO want to get an idea of what it feels like to shoot this bad boy, I've had to wait 3 months for it on order and I've already owned it for another 3 weeks without a shot!

[wjc]

Try the shot first (not the slugs). Learn how to mount and point the shotgun.

With shot, you don't really aim, you point at the target. Get comfortable with that and move on.

I'm going to go with my turkey experience here...when you pattern a shotgun you want to verify that most of the shot goes on the target, i.e. when I aim for the head I want the majority of the pellets to cluster in that area.

[epic1856]

With shot, you don't really aim, you point at the target. Get comfortable with that and move on.

and when you shoot at a flying clay target you don't shoot at the target, you shoot at where it's going to be.

[OakTreeGunClub]

We offer a beginner's shotgun course twice a month. It's $99.99 and it's all inclusive -range fee, clays, ammo, ears, eyes, rental vest/pouch, and free rentals for the rest of the day if you need or want to use one of our guns. Bring your shotgun -it starts at 9am and covers the basics for shotguns and Trap shooting and it usually ends by 12pm. Call us today to reserve a slot, we'll teach you how to use it!