Targeting and patterning a shotgun

There are differences in targeting shotguns and rifles. While shotguns are pointed at a target, rifles are aimed. The trigger pull on a shotgun is quick– often described as ’slapping’ the trigger. It is important to know your dominant eye when using a shotgun, because you will have both eyes open when taking a shot.

Patterning a shotgun is a very important element in finding the effectiveness of your shotgun, ammunition and choke combination. Patterning a shotgun will reveal:

• point of impact
• pattern density
• pattern percentage.

You will need to pattern your shotgun at an approved range with the type of ammunition you will be using during your hunt. You will also need to know the number of pellets per shot size of your cartridge. This can be found on the cartridge manufacturer’s website.