In the present research paper large scale blasting was conducted on two different firing patterns, namely, straight V type and skewed V type pattern on the same sandstone overburden bench with similar explosives. The post-blast fragmentation assessments were made by use of digital imaging technique. The total cycle time of 10 m3 rope shovels was also recorded in the field. The results reveal improvements in the fragmentation and excavator performance results for the blasts fired on skewed V type pattern. The paper discusses the skewed V firing pattern and the reasons for its superior performance vis-a-vis the straight V type pattern.