redlabelgs,
I look at pattern density/diameter when looking at forgiveness. What pattern gives the greatest likelihood of a good hit at a given yardage. I get pretty precise for spotiing clays and what my gun is doing. For field its not as important. I think load/choke confidence plays a huge role, sounds like you have that going for you. My point was just that for most folks, they would do much better with more open chokes as a full wont give them much pattern at ranges they are realistically going to hit anything. I think Im one of the few young guys who love talking ballistics. My dad is a big reloader and he and the other old timers I shoot with have tought me a lot. Im glad you did the project with your son, Im afraid some of those parts of shooting are dieing out. How many young benchresters/shotshell reloaders do you see?

Also, good chatting with you.

Im affraid at the price of shot there will be even less doing their own reloading.
My hunting aditude is one that says either miss em or kill em nothing inbetween is acceptable.

Interesting posts. Patterning is definatley worthwhile. I found best pattern (and subsequnt dead birds) turned out to be Fiochi GPX (high speed) nickel plated #5 shot. Plated lead penetrates better.

I use skeet, then improved early season North Dakota, then switch to Improved/Modified later season in Nebraska/Kansas/North Dakota. Game farm pheasant I use #7.5 in 1st barrel and then #6 in 2nd barrel (any kind) skeet then improved alll "season". Of corse, those are usually just training scenariois, so all shots are relatively close with pointing labs (that point).

On Game farms and when gunning for the APLA events I use Cyl and Skeet tubes from Comp N Choke and an extrememly light load from winchester called 'Low Noise Low Recoil" in #8 (only way they make it). This is very easy on the ears for judges and handlers. These loads will not operate a semi auto though. Next step up is the Xtra Light Load also AA from Win. Use them alot too on pointed/planted birds. These will operate at least some semi autos. I sold all my sei autos though-just incase hillary or Obama get in! ;)

Wild birds- CompN choke Skeet / IC and Remington Express in #4. Thats it, nothing else any time of the year.