There are two broad categories of Bad Patterns.  The first category includes patterns that are under or over developed suggesting that the gun and ammo tested are not appropriate for the test distance.  The second category of bad patterns are those with low values in the consistency metrics and/or holes near the center of the pattern.  Both can result in lost targets.

Bad patterns of the first sort.

• Any pattern that has a huge hole has been shot too close to the target.
• Any pattern with zeros in the outer ring of picture "36" on the ShotScan® Raw BB Counts Report was shot too close.
• Any pattern with less then 60% of the BBs inside the 30 inch circle was probably shot from too far away.
• Any Pattern with a relatively large center core of 8 symbols on the ShotScan® 1 Inch Density Report was probably shot too close.  We don't count more than 8.  There could be 15s or 20s right at the center.  This is a waste of BBs.

Bad patterns of the second sort.

• Any pattern with blanks, 1s or 2s on the density report  near the center of the pattern is bad.  Birds can fly through that pattern.
• Patterns with areas with dark symbols on the density reports (5 and over) far from the center of the pattern represent poor patterns.  BBs have clumped together reducing the overall effectiveness of the pattern.
• Patterns with an Angular Consistency Index of less than 80% will let you down.
• Patterns with weak rings are poor performers in the field.

Go to the Improving page for suggestions on how to eliminate these bad patterns.