Can Swinging a Shotgun Affect the Shot String Spread?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of shotgun shooting, specifically whether swinging a shotgun affects the shot string spread. The participant, an avid shotgun shooter, questions the validity of the common belief that follow-through increases shot string length. They provide specific parameters for analysis, including a 12-gauge shotgun with a velocity of 1150 FPS, 1 and 1/8 oz of #7.5 shot, and barrel lengths of 30 and 32 inches. The conclusion drawn is that follow-through primarily aids in developing smooth shooting habits rather than affecting the shot string spread.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles related to projectile motion
  • Familiarity with shotgun specifications, including gauge, shot size, and choke
  • Knowledge of shotgun shooting techniques, particularly follow-through
  • Experience with patterning shotguns and analyzing shot spread
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of projectile motion in relation to shotguns
  • Explore the effects of choke selection on shot spread and velocity
  • Conduct experiments on shot patterning using various barrel lengths and chokes
  • Learn about the "garden hose method" for choke selection and its implications
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for shotgun enthusiasts, competitive shooters, and instructors looking to deepen their understanding of shooting mechanics and the impact of technique on shot performance.

pieperz06
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Homework Statement




i apologies in advance if this is not posted in the correct section but it seemed the most like basic physics to me.

Well i have a question that i need help answering for my own enjoyment.I am an avid Shotgun Shooter and all through out my live i have always been told that i needed to follow through my swing on a shot because it will make the shot string longer/more spread out.

This leads to my question. i don't believe it is is possible to actuality do this and it is merely there for people to get in the habit of not stooping the gun before the person has pulled the trigger. Because of this i want the math to back it up.

here is some numbers that i think would need to solve how fast you have to swing the gun to effect the shot string by varying distances.

it is coming out of a 12 gauge gun
v= 1150 FPS
M= 1 and 1/8 oz
the shot size is #7.5 and there is an average of 394 pellets in the shell

the bore of the gun is .732
the choke restriction is .025

the length of the barrel is 30 inches in one gun and 32 inches in another.


if there needs to me more explanation of any thing let me know



i appreciate any help with solving this. i have not done any real physics in years.



Homework Equations



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The Attempt at a Solution


i haven't tried
 
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Given the 30 and 32 inch barrels and the 7 1/2 shot with 1 1/8 ounce loading I assume you are a trap shooter. I was an avid trap shooter once upon a time myself.

I have to wonder if people who say that are thinking about swinging a garden hose which surely spreads out at distance because the stream is continuous. I am not so sure that is the case with shotgun shot. All pellets are within an inch of one another when the plastic wad exits the barrel and should all have the same tangential velocity due to the barrel rotation. So, in my opinion, follow through is to develop smoothness. You catch the bird, swing by it, and the trigger is pulled without even consciously thinking about it. It seemed with me that conscious thought was bypassed. When the sight picture was right, the gun automatically discharged.

What I would suggest is to get yourself a large rectangular target, much wider than tall. Take your shotgun and swing it past the target and pull the trigger. See if an ellipse is formed by the shot pattern.
 
i am actuality a college student and shoot on our schools team. we shoot ever game there is in shotgun trap being one of them but mainly i shoot sporting clays.

but its funny you say swinging a garden hose there is a well known instructor that teaches the "garden hose method" of choke selection he says that if you need to shoot a target at a distance you have to put in a tighter choke so that the pellets will speed up considerably.

bust as far as patterning the gun to see if i can get an ellipsis i have tried this before, and was unsuccessful. further proving that follow through does not help the shot string.

how ever i still want to know exactly what it would take to move it even if it was not humanly possible. basically what it would take to get the ellipsis of the shot string on a pattern board.
 

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