When patterning a shotgun, what percentage of pellets should ideally be included in the pattern for lead shot?

The ideal percentage of pellets in the pattern for lead shot when patterning a shotgun is recommended to be 55-60 percent. This level signifies a well-distributed shot pattern, indicating that the shotgun is functioning correctly and providing sufficient coverage to increase the likelihood of hitting a target, such as a bird in flight.

Achieving this percentage ensures that the shotgun delivers an effective spread of pellets that maximizes the shooter’s chance of success while hunting. It balances performance by allowing enough pellets to be present in the target area while still accounting for gaps that may occur in the pattern. A pattern below this threshold may indicate inefficiencies in the shotgun's operation or the need for different ammunition or choke settings to improve performance.

Patterns above this percentage can suggest a more concentrated shot that might impact the dispersion negatively, making it less effective in hitting moving targets. Reaching the optimal percentage helps hunters make more ethical shots, ensuring that they can harvest game responsibly and effectively.