Understanding your Shotgun's Pattern - Mark "Six" James

[sauragnmon]

Technically he IS using a choke, since even Cylinder is a rating for a choke (just as wide open as you can go) but it's important to notice how Tips 2-3-4 all apply in towards recoil - pull the shotgun into your shoulder, lean into the shot, and the irony is that when you pump on the recoil, you're pulling the slide as it recoils, giving a little more pull into your shoulder to soak that recoil up just a bit more.

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

I think you are using a choke. JK :P

[TRPOperator6]

@ELITEHAMSTER123 No choke utilized. Mossberg 590A1 comes with a cylinder bore. The Hornady Tap 00 Buck Personal Defense ammo just patterns very tight. There is no honor or incentive to mislead folks. All ammo patterns differently in different guns. That is why people should find the pattern that fits their needs.

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

@TRPOperator6 I was just kidding, because everyone keeps asking you if you use a choke and you have to keep telling them you dont. :P

[TRPOperator6]

I love the performance of Hornady #00 Buck for what I look for in a shot pattern.

[YoungSinatra25]

People don't know about Hornady #00 8 pellet shot. 8 pellets are stacked two by two giving them really even distribution and other characteristics. Visit Hornady.com (great ammo but its not cheap) Great ammo for high population areas or for home defense. Anywhere were collateral damage needs to be considered.

Nice shooting...

[Privat3Kag3]

Is it just me, Or does the 25 yrd shot group look like Texas...

[midway27272727]

Thank you for the info !

[joelyole1]

tighter choke doesnt always mean tighter pattern some shotgun shells fired from tight chokes bounce which is when the compressing of the shot when going through the choke is too violent and causes a the shot to rebound of each other and get a more open spread.

[TRPOperator6]

@joelyole1 Thanks for the comment. However there is not choke in my 590A1 used in the video. It has a cylinder bore using Hornady Personal Defense 00 Buck. Stay safe my friend.

[SuperR3volver]

Excellent and informative video!

[cakefart444]

Wow, a very tight pattern for 00 buck! You must be using some tight chokes???

[TRPOperator6]

@cakefart444 No chokes 590A1 with a cylinder bore. Hornady Tap Personal Defense 00 Buck patterns very tight. All ammo patterns differently in different shotguns. I have found the right combination that works for my intended use. I would encourage you to try that specific ammo in your shotgun and against what you normally shoot for a point of reference. Some people desire a boarder spread some like more restrictive. I generally prefer a tighter pattern.

[72gunslinger]

That shotgun has got to have a screw in choke,that pattern is WAAAAY to tight for a cyl bore,someone is BSing here! Ive shot a 18in cly bore at 15 yards with 00 buck,he`s full of shit!!!

[TRPOperator6]

@72gunslinger Dude what value is it for lie? I don't get compensated by Mossberg or Hornady. Hornady TAP Personal Defense Ammo shoots a tight pattern. If you know anything about shotguns is they all pattern differently and with different ammo. I shoot what I like based on my preferences in a shot pattern. Perhaps you should test more ammo through your own shotgun until you find a shot pattern that meets your needs as opposed to trying to accuse someone else of not telling the truth. 

[shardakar]

@72gunslinger

This brotha speaks the truth. Not all ammunation are made equal. Shotgun shells are more unequal.

Go search Federal Tac. I'm sure you can find shot patterns for that brand of shell. Because of the way the wadding is made, it makes extremely tight patterns at surprising ranges.

[Umimugo]

Any opinion on Brenneke Magic Slugs? (12 gauge 3" magnum load Slug)

[TRPOperator6]

@Umimugo That is the slug I used in my video on making your shotgun a short range rifle. Those are the slugs I use.

[Umimugo]

@TRPOperator6 How bad is the kick? I want to use them for a Serbu Super shorty (Remington 870 Model)

[TRPOperator6]

@Umimugo recoil is all relative. Mostly managed by an operators shooting fundamentals, second by the tool. The most important thing to ask yourself is what is the objective and is this tool, whether the weapon or the ammo best suited the job. Shooting a 3 inch magnum slug in a Serbu Super Shorty will have some bite.

[musclecarkid18]

knoxx Recoil reducing stock? your opinion on it?

[TRPOperator6]

@musclecarkid18 Great system, I have the knoxx recoil system on the Mossberg 590 I am shooting in the video. It significantly reduces recoil, which will aid most people in getting their follow up shots back on target sooner.

[forestdavegump]

Well done!

[TRPOperator6]

Effective is a relative term. It depends on the brand of 00 Buck you are using. Different brands pattern differently in different guns. The most important thing is do find out how the brand you use patterns in your gun. Also be sure of your backstop to make sure the other errant pellets don't hit an unintended target. Typically if I am looking to shot a shotgun 50 yards, I would probably transition to a slug, unless I was relying on the pattern spread to assist me with say a moving target.

[DarthTyranas]

@TRPOperator6 : it basically goes in one side and out the other with oobuck shot!

[toobadsosad83]

As far as your concerned, how effective is 00 Buck at a range of say, 35, 40 and even 50 yards? I understand the spread would continue to grow with yardage, but, with just one pellet amounting to a .33cal bullet, if only two hit, per shell you fire, that's 4 connections with a large caliber projectile.

On the other hand, I do understand the importance of being accountable for where all the projectiles end up.

I'm finding out shotguns are an art and a science. Thanks for your information.

[goldeneaglearchangel]

GREAT VIDEO

[MamoDad]

Tight is right.

You are responsible for every pellet and where it ends up.

00 low recoil Federal FliteControl FTW. The stuff is awesome. Fed FC and Hornady Tap both use FC technology. Hornady calls it VersaTite, however.

[grenade4u]

great video

[ninjatoth]

what is the barrel length of that Mossberg?

[TRPOperator6]

@ninjatoth It is a Mossberg 590A1 the barrel length is 20 inches, it is an 8 + 1. The 18 inch barrel is a 5 + 1.

[ninjatoth]

@TRPOperator6

I was just wondering if you think I could get similar results out of my Rem 870,and also what would you think of that tap ammo for hunting whitetails up to 25 yards?

[ninjatoth]

@TRPOperator6

oh yeah,my Rem is an 18.5"

[blackquiver]

fun vid

[052187ful]

Great vid! Give u and good idea of your spead pattern! I like more of a tight group then a spread!

[crazytriggers]

what forearm is that?

[TRPOperator6]

@crazytriggers surefire quad-rail

[happydump]

Great video, thanks!

[TRPOperator6]

@jcmacconnell I am using Hornady Tap Personal Defense 00 Buck from a Mossberg 590A1 with a cylinder barrel.

[TheSrq123]

Thanks for dispelling the myths

[NickM777]

Outstanding tactical instruction on the shotgun ! Thank you, Mark.

[doggz2009]

So what I understand is that you need to know your ammo, almost as intimately as you know your gun. Therefore, pick an ammo, shoot it often, and get intimately familiar with how it "operates" at various distances, and impact mediums. Interesting.

Once again, you convey fundamental knowledge that promotes greater tactical and technical proficiency.

Rock on!

[Reddevilspcal]

Thanks for the help and keep the videos coming, good source of info.

[atlantasbest7]

Great info Mark, once again putting a great perspective of the selection and use of your tools. I can also gain from the focus on the type of round and the affect at given distances.

[DEAallday]

I have had the opportunity to personally train under Mark "Six" James. One of the best firearm instructors around - Bar None! His approach to training is aways on point. As always, excellent instruction!