While Ian and I were first testing the Duckbill choke, we wondered at whether these types of pattern spreaders actually provide benefit for hitting laterally moving targets. We figured the best way to test that theory would be to actually shoot at some laterally moving targets. So later while we were out testing the A&W Diverter choke, I brought along some cordage and a few 2-litre seltzer bottles to act as laterally moving targets. We could have used clay pigeons, true, but these weren’t exactly made for shooting birds, and clays ranges generally frown on shooters using #4 buckshot (and for good reason, it’s dangerous at much longer distances than is birdshot).
This drill is something I learned from Ashton Ray and Tim Chandler of 360 Performance Shooting at their excellent Shotgun 360 class. It’s a fairly challenging task, especially when using tight-patterning buckshot like FliteControl or a VangComp barrel. We figured that letting Ian have a go at the bottles with my cylinder-bore ONG 870 as well as his Diverter- and Duckbill-equipped guns would give us at least some empirical data on the subject. It’s not a statistically significant sample, but we were able to draw some basic conclusions from the limited data set. Plus it’s a hell of a lot of fun!