Question. When patterning a shotgun, what is a sufficient percentage of pellets within a 30-inch circle?

Answer: When patterning a shotgun, determining a sufficient percentage of pellets within a 30-inch circle at a standard distance (usually 40 yards) depends on the intended use. Based on expert recommendations and real-world testing, here are the general guidelines:

Waterfowl (ducks, geese) & Upland Birds (pheasants, quail, doves):

A minimum of 55–60% of the total shot charge should land within the 30-inch circle to ensure a dense and effective pattern.

Source: Experienced hunters and organizations like Ducks Unlimited suggest this range for ethical, clean kills.

Turkey Hunting (precision head/neck shots):

A higher concentration of 75% or more is preferred, ensuring enough pellets hit the small vital area.

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) emphasizes the importance of tight patterns with turkey-specific chokes and high-density loads.

Clay Target Sports (trap, skeet, sporting clays):

A pattern with 50–60% coverage is generally effective for breaking clays.
Many competitive shooters recommend modifying choke selection to fine-tune the pattern for different target distances.

👉 Factors Affecting Patterning:

Choke type: Full chokes deliver tighter patterns, while improved cylinder chokes produce wider spreads.

Shot size & material: Larger shot (e.g., #2) spreads differently than smaller shot (e.g., #7.5). Steel shot patterns tighter than lead due to its hardness.

Barrel length & ammunition brand: Variability in factory loads means testing your specific shotgun/ammo combo is crucial.

Final Tip:

Always pattern your shotgun before a hunt or competition using a consistent shooting rest and multiple shots to get an accurate average. Many state hunting agencies and organizations like NSSF provide additional patterning recommendations for different game species.