Product Preview: Winchester Pattern Board

The best way to determine how a shotgun will pattern a given shotshell load at different ranges is to actually shoot a few through the gun and analyze the results—however, Winchester’s new Pattern Board app is not a bad second option. For those who won’t have the opportunity to take their guns out for a little range testing prior to turkey season, there’s no need to guess how Winchester’s various turkey loads will perform out in the field, as the company has already done the work for its customers and has made that information available to your computer or wireless device via winchesterpatternboard.com.

Not a simulation, Pattern Board allows the user to input a number of different variables and then produces actual patterning results using those same variables as shot by Winchester staffers. With more than 3,000 patterns in its database, Pattern Board contains three patterns for each scenario the user can devise, for each of the company’s four gobbler-getting product lines.

Specifically, Pattern Board is configured for three different gauges (10, 12 and 20), and offers a range of choke constrictions within each gauge (from 0.585" to 0.745"). The user can then select shell length (3" or 3½"), pellet size (No. 4, 5 or 6), type of Winchester ammunition (Double X High Velocity, Double X Magnum, Super-X or Longbeard XR) and the distance at which the shot is to be taken (between 10 and 70 yds.).

Once all selections have been entered, Pattern Board provides actual patterning results using those variables for all four Winchester product lines. And clicking into your shot pulls up all three patterns that were shot using your customized selections. Pattern Board also breaks down how many of the load’s pellets are located within the 3", 10", 15" and 30" rings, respectively.