When patterning a shotgun, a sufficient percentage of pellets within a 30-inch circle is generally considered to be at least 55% to 60% of the total load to ensure a proper, even density for a clean kill
. Some sources suggest aiming even higher, with an ideal pattern printing 75% to 80% of its pellets inside the 30-inch circle at the range you expect to shoot, balancing a dense core with enough pellets in the fringes for margin of error
. This 30-inch circle is used because it roughly corresponds to the maximum effective size of a shot pattern for hitting game reliably
. The pattern should be evenly distributed without being overly center-dense or too sparse on the edges
. In summary:
- Minimum sufficient percentage: about 55% to 60% of pellets in a 30-inch circle.
- Ideal pattern percentage: 75% to 80% for maximum ethical range and effectiveness.
- The pattern should have good density in the core (about 20-inch diameter) and a sufficient number of pellets in the outer ring (20-30 inches) to allow for some aiming error
This standard applies when patterning at typical hunting distances (often 25-40 yards depending on the game and choke)
