Have You Patterned Your Home Defense Shotgun Yet?

[ez bake]

you put the sights on the target and pull the trigger. its not ****ing rocket science.

I'm not going to say that not patterning your shotgun is negligent or anything like that, but I find this statement odd.

Do you test your handguns to see if they hit what you're aiming at? Do you sight in your rifle? Why wouldn't you pattern the Shotgun (or at least train/practice at the range at the same distance you intend to shoot it for self defense and therefore seeing the pattern)?

 

[doctorjj]

You can say it is not negligent if you want, but if you do then the two of us have different standards. Patterning with a different ammunition is a must.

Maybe some day I will be able to live up to your standards.

 

[MoBoost]

First, I do pattern all my shottys; and it is my primary HD.

With that said, when the SHTF you'll be squeezing and pumping ... Self defense is not like hunting or practice - you are on the wrong side of the curve already. And if you make it through you won't remember how many rounds you fired, where you were aiming and was the firearm shouldered or off-hand; you'll be doing a LOT OF missing as well. IMHO, in self defense, pattern (just like over-penetration) is a moot point.

I guess my two cents are - practice a lot of "point and shoot": you have to hit the BG: gauge, pattern and shot size do have their advantage AND disadvantages - distance being MAJOR factor.

I prefer widespread (12"+) at 15 yards of #00. Some of you were talking about 6-8" patterns - why not use a slug if you are that confident in your aim?

 

[Norman]

Maybe some day I will be able to live up to your standards.

Maybe

 

[BIGJAKE]

28" 870 super mag 2 3/4" 00 Buck 9 pellets @ 30 yards is 16 inches all in a torso sized target. Still waiting to pattern the 1 buck 3 1/2" mag shells, that should leave a mark!

 

[ez bake]

28" 870 super mag 2 3/4" 00 Buck 9 pellets @ 30 yards is 16 inches all in a torso sized target. Still waiting to pattern the 1 buck 3 1/2" mag shells, that should leave a mark!

Do you have 30 yard long hallways?

 

[z06man]

Do you have 30 yard long hallways?

That and I don't really want to use a 28" barrel or 3 1/2" mags for HD. But maybe if my hallways were 30 yds long, I'd feel differently.

 

[Mr.357Sig]

Oh, good. Another poll.

 

[z06man]

What else are you going to do on here at 2am?

 

[csiedmond1]

I'm not going to say that not patterning your shotgun is negligent or anything like that, but I find this statement odd.

Do you test your handguns to see if they hit what you're aiming at? Do you sight in your rifle? Why wouldn't you pattern the Shotgun (or at least train/practice at the range at the same distance you intend to shoot it for self defense and therefore seeing the pattern)?

Negligent? Really? I have not patterned mine either, never even considered it an option or necessity... But i will now...