Where to pattern a shotgun in North Jersey?

[10X 3,301]

Hi,

 

I've got a new shotgun I need to pattern for trap.   I have a handful of load/choke combinations to test, and will probably need to shoot at least 20 patterning sheets, at the standard 40 yard patterning distance.  The question is, where?

 

Does Cherry Ridge have a pattern board, or allow one to be set up, on their 5 stand range?  I don't get there too often, so I don't remember.   Their other ranges wouldn't be practical on a weekend, when they call a cease-fire for target change every 30 minutes, since I need a new patterning sheet after every shot.

 

I never bothered to get a NJ hunting license, so the WMAs are out, although I guess I could wait until the next NJGF shotgun shootout.   I'm a member at North Jersey Clay Target Club, but they inexplicably set their patterning board in concrete less than 25 yards from the back of the trap fields--40 yards would put me well back in the parking lot, so that's not an option.  Do other trap clubs in the area have patterning boards?

 

Thanks in advance...

[Smokin .50 1,907]

I realize that Old Bridge may be a haul for you, BUT I could guest you into our outdoor range (free of charge).  We have a dedicated shotgun field complete with steel patterning board out to 40 yards.  Bring a cheap can of white spray paint, your gun, chokes, notepad and shells and GET-R-Done, lol!  During the regular business day is the easiest, since our League only meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.   OR---for $20 (Non-member rate) come on a League day (bring 2-3 boxes of bird shot) and stay afterward to do the patterning.  League shoots two rounds (50 shells) and sometimes stays for a third.  Birds are supplied, of course.

 

If I can be of any assistance, just let me know.

 

Dave 

[10X 3,301]

I realize that Old Bridge may be a haul for you, BUT I could guest you into our outdoor range (free of charge).  We have a dedicated shotgun field complete with steel patterning board out to 40 yards.  Bring a cheap can of white spray paint, your gun, chokes, notepad and shells and GET-R-Done, lol!  During the regular business day is the easiest, since our League only meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.   OR---for $20 (Non-member rate) come on a League day (bring 2-3 boxes of bird shot) and stay afterward to do the patterning.  League shoots two rounds (50 shells) and sometimes stays for a third.  Birds are supplied, of course.

 

If I can be of any assistance, just let me know.

 

Dave 

Dave,

 

Thanks for the offer!   I may yet take you up on it, but as you say, it is a haul to get there for me.   For the moment, I'll look for a closer option, but keep this in mind.

 

The league shoot sounds like fun.  Is it trap, 5-stand, or something else?

[Smokin .50 1,907]

The League is more sorta like Sporting Clays, only with two Stations.  We have two wooden-caged platform covered shooting positions, newly constructed and built like TANKS.  Next to each shooting position (to the left and right of each cage) are two steel I-beams cemented into the ground, from which Lincoln brand clay throwers are bolted onto the I-beams.  In addition to the main four throwers, we have a rabbit machine on the left side and a teal on the right side, so many possible combinations are available.  Presentations also vary via placement of the bird on the thrower's arm, resulting in sharp lefts and rights.  You can call independently for every bird, have the second bird thrown "on report" or challenge yourself and call for doubles on most of the machines.  From the left side you can call for a rabbit and a bird independently, on report, or as a SIMO, depending upon your skill level.  It's a real HOOT and loads of fun!  If your gun were to break, people would step-up and lend you their shotguns---it's THAT friendly!  Sometimes somebody stops for donuts and coffee, other times we shoot for prizes, turkeys around the holidays, etc.  The League is beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, and more than a few women tend to show-up.  Bring your favorite cigar if you so desire....

 

So let me know if you wanna come for a visit.  Stay warm and well.

 

Dave

[Barms 98]

Ignorance here: Is the shorter distance at North Jersey really not adequate for patterning ?

[10X 3,301]

Ignorance here: Is the shorter distance at North Jersey really not adequate for patterning ?

 

It would give one a rough idea, certainly, and for real-world scenarios I could see different distances being more relevant.

 

But, 40 yards is the accepted distance for formal patterning, that extremely tedious activity where one fires a round, draws a 30" circle to contain the most pellet holes possible, then counts the holes in the circle and compares it to the number of pellets in an average shell of that loading.   Then one repeats the process a few times.   This determines the actual choke performance (Full, Mod, etc), which may or may not agree with how the choke is labeled.  It also gives you an idea of how uniform the pattern is from a given choke (they vary), and where the pattern is relative to the aim point (on a trap gun, one usually wants it to be high, (often 60% above, 40% below the aim point, but different shooters have different preferences).    My understanding is that not all of this scales linearly with distance, so folks stick with 40 yards.

 

I haven't done it for years, I'm not looking forward to it very much, but it's a new shotgun I plan to use for competition, so I plan to suffer though the counting...

[reed338 11]

just to add to what Dave explained about shooting with the league  we start shooting at 9am sharp

[Smokin .50 1,907]

just to add to what Dave explained about shooting with the league  we start shooting at 9am sharp

  Right you are, lol!