Shotgun Point of Impact Test - .410 Gauge Shotgun - Part One

RW, Jr.'s .410 Shotgun

Shotguns can have a wide range of variance in the type of pattern they shoot and will affect the point of impact when shooting your shotgun depending upon the type of shotshell load. It's best to know ahead of time if you will hit your target or if your aim needs to be adjusted to get the maximum benefit of the shotshells you are using in your shotgun.

The Target

Over the weekend RW Jr. and I conducted a very unscientific POI (Point of Impact) test with our .410 gauge shotguns. The first part will show the result of our little test with RW Jr.'s Stevens Model 311A. This .410 shotgun was manufactured in Chicopee, Mass. by Savage Firearms.It's a double barrel model with a full choke and a modified choke. For purposes of our practice it was used with the full choke. The test was designed to simulate real life conditions in order to get a better idea of just how well this little shotgun performs. It was done at a distance of 50 feet and from a free standing position, which is probably the most unstable platform you can use for any type of shooting. The target was an old tree stump that stands about 4 1/2 feet tall. RW, Jr. cleared an area around it with the riding mower and we were good to go.

Test Rounds

The test rounds that were used were all 3" shotshells with with 11/16 ounce shot. We used #6 and 7 1/2 Winchester High Brass Game Loads and some Remington Express Long Range #6 shotshells that RW Jr. likes to use in his shotgun. We also included some Winchester 2 1/2 inch shotshells in 000 buckshot (3 pellets).

Remington Express Long Range Shotshells

Winchester High Brass Game Load #6 Shotshells

Winchester High Brass game Loads 7 1/2 Shotshells

RW, Jr. fired numerous rounds of the shotshell loads and found out his shotgun was shooting several inches low with all the different rounds when aiming dead center on the target. By adjusting his aim up to the top of the center circle he was able to get a good spread on the target with his rounds.

RW, Jr. 000 Buckshot at 50 Feet

Repaired Tree Damage

The next part was to test out the 000 buckshot loads and see how they performed. I told RW, Jr. that I wanted to do it at a distance of 20 feet which would be about the maximum distance for a home defense scenario. RW, Jr. stated "In the country, 50 feet is a home defense scenario! If they get within 20 feet, it's only because you've stopped to reload!" RW. Jr. then loaded up and proceeded to shoot some 000 buckshot at the target from 50 feet. He was probably anticipating the recoil from the buckshot load and his shot went low and right. It was probably due more to his aim being off a bit. Only one pellet struck the target from 50 feet. The other two pellets hit low on a big tree about 25 feet behind the target. Very important to remember that you will be held responsible for where your rounds end up. Afterwards he moved up to 25 feet and shot some more 000 buckshot rounds. The results were a little better this time.His first shot was a little low and to the right but his second shot put all three pellets within a 5 inch circle at 25 feet, with two pellets inside 3 inches.

Although not very scientific, it does give us a good idea of the point of impact and what kind of pattern spread to expect from our .410 shotguns. knowing how your gun performs will help you develop more confidence when you are using it.

In Part Two, I will post my results.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker