NOVEMBER 7 2007 SHOTGUN
IMPACT RESEARCH

Shotguns and Equipment Used In Research:


Ithaca Model 37 12 Gauge 2 ¾ chamber, 30 inch Fixed Full Choke barrel.
Sight: Battery Operated Light Stick affixed right behind the shotgun bead.


Browning BPS 28 inch 12 Gauge, 3 inch, Undertaker Turkey Choke Tube
Sight: Holosight


When calling with a mouth call and or a manual call. The fox will get in direct line with the caller or the speaker. So many fox will show up in range looking right at you.

However with the use of a remote caller one can set up 40 yards to the side of the speaker of the remote caller. The fox when coming to the call into the wind will offer a side shot more so then a head on shot.

When utilizing 2 3/4 # 4 buckshot the Model 37 with the battery powered light stick behind the shotgun bead: made more hits in a 30 inch circle then the BPS Undertaker Turkey choke. Might need to change the choke to Full Choke or extra Full Choke instead of using a Undertaker turkey choke in the BPSs ?
I remember Bigben post about extra full chokes being the ideal choke for # 4 buckshot. Wonder how I can find out what the Undertaker turkey choke cone is?

When using the model 37 and the light stick.
This shotgun shot 3 inches high so the center of the pattern is 3 inches above the light eyes of a fox. If one shoots at 20 yards at a fox the full choke pattern will be 3 inches high but there should be sufficient pellets below the pattern to kill the fox. Now as the shooting distance increases one should compensate by lower the lighted bead sight 6 inches below the eyes. This would be from 20 yards to 45 yards. 45 yards would be tops to shoot a fox using 2 ¾ inch Remington or Winchester High brass. By doing this one will not shoot over the fox but will hit it square in the face and the chest area when one is looking right at you.
Remember when they are looking right at you anything that goes over their head is wasted shot. You want to hit them with the entire string of the pattern from the ground up to the head. So this is why it’s logical to drop the bead down 6 inches when they are looking right at you. Also make sure they are within the 45 yard range when using 2 ¾. The ideal range for the 2 ¾ ammo is really 40 yards.

If a fox is coming in from left and or right of the shooter and the full torso would be the target then you probably do not have to drop it 6 inches. However one should drop it at least 3 inches so the pattern is in the center of the fox.

However did notice when aiming right and using Win Magnum 2 ¾ #4 Turkey loads. They hit where one aims.
So for my Ithaca when using Turkey loads I need to aim right at the fox eyes when they are looking right at me.





Model 37 2 ¾ loads used and comments: This was a 40 yards

2 ¾ # 4 buckshot. One can shoot 6 inches low if they are looking at you and dead on the middle of the torso it they are moving from right to left in front of you.
21 pellets and 22 pellets


2 ¾ Turkey designated # 4 shot. Aim direct on since this Win center of the pattern was right where the point of aim was.

2 ¾ Win # 5 Pheasant loads. 6 inches low head on, Side shot one can aim 3 inches low.

2 ¾ Remington Express # 4’s 6 inches low head on, Side shot one can aim 3 inches low.


Browning BPS 3 inch and 2 ¾ loads and comments: All shots were made at 40 yards.
Since the Hollowsight does sit way above the bead of the shotgun. I was able to aim dead on center of the red circle and hit within the center of the pattern. The Holosight adjustment compensated for the BPS shooting 3 inches high on center. So the Holosight would be good for night hunting and the shot will go where the red circle is pointed and fired at.

40 Yards Remington 3 inch Magnum # 2 shot. Aim dead on. Place the red eyes in the middle of the circle. No compensation was needed.

40 yards Winchester 3 inch BB’s Aim Dead On.

40 yards 2 ¾ # 4 buckshot Aim Dead On. 17 pellets, then 22 pellets in 30 inch circle at 40 yards. Seemed like the fixed choke on the Model 37 shot a better pattern then the BPS using the Undertaker turkey choke with the # 4 buckshot. Might want to try a full choke tube or an extra full choke tube with the # 4 buckshot instead of the turkey choke?

40 yds Rem 2 ¾ # 4 Express aim dead on

40 yds 2 ¾ Winchester # 5 pheasant loads Aim Dead On.