March 11, 2021

Developing Shotgun Patterns

Bobby Cole

turkey targets gamekeepers

Let’s say, for conversation, you kill an average of three turkeys each spring. Hopefully that’s accomplished with three shots. Three simple squeezes of the trigger that personify all the effort and preparation that goes into a season. Not to mention the early mornings and lost sleep. That’s a lot of importance placed on those “three squeezes.”

Do you trust your shells and your chokes? You probably do, but are they the best you could have or just good enough? In today’s modern world, high-end turkey shells have improved greatly and the screw-in aftermarket choke tubes available are designed to make a good gun better.

Have you ever patterned your shotgun? I mean really put it through the paces with several different manufacturers’ loads and shot sizes to determine what shoots the best through your gun? I can tell you that each gun is a bit different and something is going to perform best. Don’t just shoot what your local sporting goods store has on sale. Take an hour, some butcher paper or targets, cardboard boxes, maybe a realty sign, a sharpie, and go somewhere safe to shoot.

Check out how your gun performs at 25, 35, and 45 yards. I know you’ll want to try 55 to 60 yards, but please think twice before ever shooting at a turkey at this distance. These new loads and chokes have hunters thinking they can regularly do this now, but please use caution. You don’t want to cripple an old bird. They deserve more than that.

I’ve been pleased with the Browning Full Strut Turkey choke that came with my Browning A5, but it took several different tests to decide that it liked the Winchester Extended Range #5’s the best. I have an old single shot 20-gauge that loves a Jebs choke. There are a number of aftermarket choke tube companies that you can experiment with to find what works for you, along with plenty of shell manufacturers and loads. Don’t leave this to chance and don’t assume your gun shoots just like your friend’s. They all are a bit different.

By knowing what your gun shoots best, you can have confidence when the moment of truth comes and you squeeze the trigger.

Wild Game Italian Meatloaf with The BBQ Ninja | Ingredient Wild

Meatloaf is a classic. Mix it up by making it with some wild game shot straight out of the woods.

Wild Game Recipes, Video, Ingredient Wild, Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Butchery

Latest Content

Field Judging Black Bears

Ask any experienced hunter and they’ll tell you that black bears are among the most difficult big game animals to field judge. Part of that is because they’re far less common than deer, so hunters just don’t get much experience seeing them. And part is just the nature of the beast. Any large, black carnivorous animal will look big, especially if you don’t have something for scale nearby.

Big Game, How-To

Black Bear Season Primer

Hunting tactics can be broken down into several schools of thought. Here's a 101-style overview on what to expect this fall if you're bear hunting for the first time.

Big Game, How-To

3 Hill Country Stand Locations for the Whitetail Rut

These key spots funnel deer into tighter spaces, condensing activity and greatly improving your odds of not just seeing more deer, but filling your tag when it counts most.

Deer

The Art of the All-Day Rut Sit

The rut is here, and with it comes the moment many of us have been waiting for all year–the chance to put in those all-day sits in the tree, hoping to cross paths with a mature buck cruising in daylight.

Deer

Mossy Oak Camo Hunting Bows and Bow Hunting Gear

We’ve got a great collection of bows and bow hunting accessories and gear in Mossy Oak camo. Whether you’re looking for a Bottomland or Country Roots bow or a new saddle or climber, this comprehensive list gives you all your options.

Big Game, Deer, Gear

Sheet Pan Dinner with Balsamic Marinated Venison Medallions

Who doesn't love the ease of a sheet pan dinner? This recipe uses venison medallions from Gamekeeper Butchery along with onions, beans, mushrooms and potatoes. Make it your own with your favorite vegetables.

Deer, Wild Game Recipes, Ingredient Wild, Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Butchery

3 Hunts Every Rookie Hunter Should Try

Our list of 3 hunts every rookie hunter should try has some great options to get you started on what many hunters consider the best hunts of the season.

Small Game, Deer, Waterfowl

Improving Savanna and Woodland Habitats in Forested Landscapes

Savannas are often overlooked components of North American forests that can be effectively managed to improve wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities through careful planning for the right combination of trees, grasses, forbs and disturbance regime.

Conservation, Land Management, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers, Nativ Nurseries, BioLogic

Mature Whitetail Bucks: Why Don’t I See More?

Even under the best of circumstances your odds of killing a mature buck are fairly low. You can nudge them slightly in your favor by minimizing disturbance and maximizing the ability of your property to attract and hold more and older deer.

Deer, Land Management, How-To, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers

Mossy Oak Classics: Deer Hunting Videos from the Archive

It's Deer Season - and we've got some vintage VHS gold teed up and ready to go. Watch old Mossy Oak hunting videos with the original crew.

Big Game, Deer, Video, Mossy Oak Companions

BUILT: The Nosler Story

John A. Nosler revolutionized the bullet-making business in 1948 with his now infamous Partition bullet. Here's the story of how a frustrated and creative hunter and his company came to be icons in the hunting industry.

Big Game, Deer, Predator, Gear

5 Questions Answered to Help Develop a Scrape Hunting Strategy

When it comes to hunting mature bucks, understanding and utilizing scrapes can be a game-changer.

Deer, How-To

Explore All Posts