Shotgun Chokes

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Kanewpadle

Kanewpadle

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Please explain which types of shotgun shells you can use with different chokes.

I understand what chokes do and I understand the different sizes. But I have heard that you shouldn't use certain shells with certain chokes.:eek:

I also understand that shotguns will pattern differently with different chokes and different ammo.;)
 
What shells have you heard should not be used with certain chokes?

Shotguns can be somewhat like rifles and handguns in that some like particular loadings better than others.

Choke can be a complicated thing, especially when you start getting into steel. And most especially when you get into steel and older guns. Steel being harder deforms less and patterns tighter than lead for a given constriction. There are also possible issues with steel shot and older guns, especially tightly choked older guns.

Do you have specific questions?
 
An old Wives tale was that you shouldn't shoot slugs out of a Full choke.
That was not true. The tighter chokes might not give as good accuracy, but there was no harm in it.
As far as birdshot it can be used through any choke. Certain shotguns will pattern certain sizes of shot better than others, but all of it will work.
Jim
 
I've had good luck with patterning buckshot from modified chokes. Slugs and birdshot seem to shoot ok through a modified too.
 
Basically there 3 things that effect shotgun pattern size are; shot pellet size, choke constriction, and shot velocity. The choke sizes are standardized (sort of). The pellet diameter are very standardized, but you get to choose which you use. The velocities of many loads are also standardized (but hand loading can make these variable). The rule of thumb is faster shells equal looser patterns ALL ELSE BEING THE SAME. Also larger pellets make tighter patterns. In the old days longer barrels added velocity and tightened patterns but modern powders make that not much of a factor anymore. Have fun. Ivan
 
Kanewpadle said:
Please explain which types of shotgun shells you can use with different chokes.

I understand what chokes do and I understand the different sizes. But I have heard that you shouldn't use certain shells with certain chokes.:eek:

I also understand that shotguns will pattern differently with different chokes and different ammo.;)
Click to expand...

Google is your friend.




:D

Sorry....
Couldn't help myself! :D :D
 
Hillbilly77 said:
Google is your friend.




:D

Sorry....
Couldn't help myself! :D :D
Click to expand...

Funny guy.:p I did google it but couldn't find what I was looking for. Besides, I like bothering you old retired guys here. Supposedly you're wiser and more knowledgeable. :rolleyes::eek::p

Pretty much answered my question though.

I have been told you shouldn't shoot slugs through any kind of choke. Some have told me that applies to 00 buckshot too.
 
Kanewpadle said:
Funny guy.:p I did google it but couldn't find what I was looking for. Besides, I like bothering you old retired guys here. Supposedly you're wiser and more knowledgeable. :rolleyes::eek::p

Pretty much answered my question though.

I have been told you shouldn't shoot slugs through any kind of choke. Some have told me that applies to 00 buckshot too.
Click to expand...

Old? Retired? :eek:
I've got a looong way to go to retirement. :p

I'm not very experienced with shotgunning.
I did manage to screw up a turkey choke by shooting lead slugs through it once - I forgot to swap the chokes out first.

I do remember seeing that many turkey chokes had labels saying that you shouldn't use certain type shot with certain chokes.
I don't know if it was bunk, or if some shot will damage certain chokes. :confused:
 
Good information here. Interesting how different shotgun barrels and chokes handle various loads.

I have the Hastings Extra Full Turkey Choke tube for my 12-ga. 870 (extends about 3" beyond the muzzle to provide a long tapered choke). Manufacturer advised against use with steel shot or any shot size larger than #6. I have followed that advice. That shotgun/choke tube combination has won every turkey shoot it has been used in, and used by a dozen shooters from 12 to over 70 years of age. The guys at my club make sure I either show up, or let someone bring the shotgun if I can't be there. It has gotten to the point of having rounds of competition where everyone is allowed to shoot my shotgun, and rounds where only other shotguns can be used!

The shotgun is one of the old 'Sportsman 12' models, matte finish, plain walnut stock, 21" tube with vent rib, 3" chamber, RemChoke, and sling swivels. I purchased it used for $150 along with IC, Mod, and Full RemChokes, then added the Hastings Extra Full more out of curiousity than anything else. At turkey shoots it consistently wins against high-end trap guns from some of the best makers, many with price tags north of $3,000.

Just one example of how things come out "just right" once in a while, even without big bucks thrown into a project.
 
Sounds like very lenient rules at your turkey shoots!
 
Kanewpadle said:
I have been told you shouldn't shoot slugs through any kind of choke. Some have told me that applies to 00 buckshot too.
Click to expand...

Not all slugs are the same. The skirt of a foster slug expands to trap gas and create velocity. Sabot slugs are incased, usuall in plastic and are most effective out of rifled barrels. The size of the shotshell has more to do with which size to use than the choke; for instance 00 doesn't fit uniformly in a 2 3/4 inch 20 gauge shell and they're normally loaded with #3 or 4 buck. There are too many variables to make any assumptions regarding barrel length, choke size, etc. The best thing to do is pattern the gun with the selected loads. Any shot will go thru any choke. How effective they are for the intended purpose is a whole different matter and would be almost impossible to cover in a forum resonse and beyond my knowledge as an upland bird & midwest game hunter for over 45 years.
 
Not supposed to use steel shot in 'extra-full' chokes....so warns the destruction manual for a Stoeger M2000 shotgun
 
One thing I'll add--steel is a different world.

Lots of us bird hunters have older shotguns, particularly double barrels, that were not designed with steel shot in mind. Many of these guns have fairly thin barrel walls at the muzzle.

More and more states are requiring non tox shot in certain areas, and that trend is likely to continue. Softer than steel non tox is very expensive, and many with older doubles (Euro doubles and older American guns esp.) are wondering what to do.

There has been a good deal of discussion about this. Many feel that the use of steel is OK in these guns as long as the chokes are open (loose modified at most) and the shot size is no larger than 4. I think the jury is still out until real world testing is done. Not sure I'm willing to risk a ring bulge in my gun. I need more confidence. But a good number of people have done it with no problems.

The European CIP (essentially the equivalent of SAAMI) has been establishing pressure standards for steel but I haven't really studied it.
 
^^^ This is true - the required use of non-toxic shot has changed the game. Most manufacturers claim their non-tox shot can safely be fired out of any "modern" shotgun. But like you mentioned - even the "experts" opinions vary. My Wingmaster has a 30 inch FCVR barrel and I probably wouldn't risk shooting steel thru it - as much to not damage the lining as avoiding potential swelling.
 
A few observations: Steel shot tends to pattern about one 'choke' tighter than lead, i.e., an IC will pattern roughly MOD. Buckshot, slugs & steel generally do not react well to tight chokes. Of course shotguns, (and really any gun), are very individual, switching brands, etc., all affects how the gun will pattern. Of course my general rule is to never pattern the gun to begin with, as in my case all that does is make me think, which is never a good thing:rolleyes:...concentrate on the bird & let the gun do it's own thing.

Just my .02

-Klaus
 
Well-hate to say it but on every shotgun I own I've screwed in the skeet choke and left it there. Shoot ducks with steel shot and doves and squirrels and rabbits with lead shot.If I do my part the gun does its part
Click to expand...

+1!!!! except I use the IC tube, if it rusts in there it's no big deal since I never change it anyway.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Well-hate to say it but on every shotgun I own I've screwed in the skeet choke and left it there. Shoot ducks with steel shot and doves and squirrels and rabbits with lead shot.If I do my part the gun does its part. :rolleyes:
Sorry.
Click to expand...

Well, if I shot an 8 gauge like you I'd do the same...
 
Caj, actually I agree for the most part with your first post. With modern shells you can reach out with an open choke farther than most people have any business trying to kill something. I've broken some LONG targets with my bird gun which has almost no choke in the right bbl.

When Winchester ( I think) came out with the cup type plastic wad it essentially added a degree of choke. If you've ever shot a prewar full choke gun it's like a rifle.

And those Roman candle 3.5" loads are nuts.
 
I remember talking to old timers, turns out they used to make shotguns with fixed chokes that worked fine. Who knew? They used the loads that worked best in their guns. Nice that we have options with our newer guns, but don't over analyze it.

The best advice that has already been given, be sure to pattern your load/choke choice then experiment.

Have fun, Ed.
 
Also with some of the new "turkey chokes" out there you don't want to shoot Hevi Shot in them unless the instructons say its alright. I think the super full tubes are the ones that won't hadles it very well. My choke is a Crio choke for Benellis and has a constriction of .670 ( roughly a modified choke). It handles Hevi Shot well. Used the Magnum blend Hevi Shot to make an awful long shot on a gobbler this past weekend. Worked great!
 
The dia. of the choke will not tell you the amount of choke. You also need to know the bore dia. If you have a gun with a .730 bore and use a .690 choke that is .040 choke which is pretty tight. If you have a gun with a .690 bore and use a .690 choke that is a cyl. bore which is wide open with no choke. Larry
 
P&R Fan said:
An old Wives tale was that you shouldn't shoot slugs out of a Full choke.
That was not true. The tighter chokes might not give as good accuracy, but there was no harm in it.
As far as birdshot it can be used through any choke. Certain shotguns will pattern certain sizes of shot better than others, but all of it will work.
Jim
Click to expand...

I had a customer come in with a damaged shotgun barrel. He said a "friend" shot slugs through it, which caused a two or three inch split in the barrel. Fortunately, the barrel was long enough for me to shorten it to a still legal length. I don't recall which size choke was installed.
 
Babalooie said:
I had a customer come in with a damaged shotgun barrel. He said a "friend" shot slugs through it, which caused a two or three inch split in the barrel. Fortunately, the barrel was long enough for me to shorten it to a still legal length. I don't recall which size choke was installed.
Click to expand...

How much you wanna bet there was an obstruction in the barrel?
I can't believe just shooting a slug would damage a barrel that was in decent shape.
Jim
 
Jessie said:
Sounds like very lenient rules at your turkey shoots!
Click to expand...

Possibly lenient. Everyone shoots 12-gauge. We all use the same ammunition (1-oz. #6 target loads). We all stand at the same position and shoot at identical targets at the same distance. Those are about the only restrictions.

Each round is ten shooters, each paying $2.00, so $20.00 raised per round to cover the ammunition and prizes with around $12.00 or $14.00 profit for the club. Lunch is served, coffee and soft drinks all day. The bar opens after the guns are put away.

Prize for each round is a grocery store gift certificate for a frozen turkey. At the end of the shoot there is a final "pie plate shoot" with a paper plate marked into slices, you can purchase a slice for a set price then write your name on that slice. One shot is fired at the target and the slice with the greatest number of pellet holes wins the prize. Prizes are donated and might be a gallon of good booze, a year's club dues, nice restaurant gift cards, etc. These are fund raisers for the club that usually bring in a couple of thousand to use for range maintenance, etc, so this tends to keep everyones' dues and range fees down.
 
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