Shotgun Chokes

[papasmurf]

Ive been looking into getting a 12 gauge pump for awhile now but one thing has me at a loss. What choke (if any) should I get with it? Is there any major differences between them? Like this is good for distance or this is better up close and personal. If it helps Im wanting to take it trap shooting with friends, some range blasting, and of course use it as a HD gun. Also would shooting a slug or two give me major problems with chokes and the barrel?

 

[Dakota]

If you're in Indy, go out to the Indiana Gun Club just northeast of Indy and talk to Steve about it. He probably has some guns you could even go out and shoot to try.

 

[jeremy]

What are your intentions with a shotgun?

 

[VUPDblue]

The purpose of chokes is to restrict or "choke" the bore of the firearm to alter the pattern density of the shot. Cylinder bore chokes don't restrict the shot much while extra full tubes restrict it quite a bit, resulting in smaller, more dense patterns. Don't shoot slugs through full or extra full choke tubes and don't shoot steel shot through tubes that are not specifically labeled for steel shot.

 

[jblomenberg16]

If you could only have one choke tube, a modified is a nice in-between that will work for just about all of your uses. Personally I wouldn't shoot a slug through one though, even though it might be ok. Just not worth the risk in my opinion, and extra choke tubes are cheaper than new barrels or medical bills.

 

[Eddie]

You will probably want a separate barrel for slugs than what you will use for trap. If you are getting a common make and model of shotgun then picking up extra barrels and different chokes shouldn't be too big of a problem.

 

[GreenfieldGunny]

This is probably a pretty dumb question, as I am not very familiar with shotguns. Can you use a choke on just a plain ol' smoothbore barrel? I have a Mossberg 835 if that helps.

 

[furbymac]

if the barrel is not threaded on the inside of the muzzle end (make sure it is unloaded before you look) then you can't use interchangeable chokes

 

[GreenfieldGunny]

if the barrel is not threaded on the inside of the muzzle end (make sure it is unloaded before you look) then you can't use interchangeable chokes

Thank you very much!

 

[ThrottleJockey]

I know you're not technically supposed to push slugs through a full choke, but for what it's worth...I do and have never had a problem. That being said, I have never owned a shotgun that takes choke tubes and never will, just personal preference, I'm a bit old fashioned in that sense.

 

[wolfman]

If you could only have one choke tube, a modified is a nice in-between that will work for just about all of your uses. Personally I wouldn't shoot a slug through one though, even though it might be ok. Just not worth the risk in my opinion, and extra choke tubes are cheaper than new barrels or medical bills.

Wow, and to think that we used to do it all the time way back before there were changeable choke tubes

 

[VERT]

Wow, and to think that we used to do it all the time way back before there were changeable choke tubes

Yes that is true. But the choke tube contracts the shot at the end of the barrel. I have seen shotguns where steel shot was shot through a full choke, and it created a bulge in the end of the barrel. Basically ruined the barrel (or at least the end of it.) This probably would not happen with a lead slug. Still not any reason to shoot a slug through a full choke. Personally I see no reason to put a slug through a modified tube. I did use to shoot slugs through a single shot with a modified barrel and no tube with no problems.

Not all chokes are the same but here is the VERT guide to chokes. Keep in mind I am not a shotgun guy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn several years ago. Keep in mind it is common for new guns to come with 3 chokes.

Improved Cylinder - Slugs, Skeet, Upland Game < 30 yards, Steel Shot OK
Modified - General Purpose, Waterfowl, Late Season Pheasant, Steel Shoot
Full - Trap, Turkey, No Steel

Keep in mind there are other choices such as Cylinder (No Choke), Rifled Tubes for slugs, Extra Full for Turkey/Coyote, and every variation in between. But for general use Imp.Cyl, Mod., & Full will provide an option for most situations.

 

[papasmurf]

Thanks guys

This has been very informative guys thank you very much. I was especially curious about the slug part.

 

[wastamer]

Good info it think i will go ahead n get a rifled slug barrel for my Mossy 835. Thx

 

[Hookeye]

IIRC (from least constriction to most)


Cylinder bore is no choke.
Then it goes skeet 1 and then Skeet 2
Then Improved Cylinder
Modified
Improved Modified
Full
Extra full
Superfull

Slugs shot up to Modified choke.
Steel shot, unless specially marked choketube, also to Modified
Lead shot only in Extrafull or Superfull (those usually for turkey)

Also, watch buying used fixed choke guns/bbls, as what the factory stamped on the barrel may not be what it now is (somebody could have had the choke opened up).

 

[Kirkd]

What are your intentions with a shotgun?

Read the entire post again. This answer to your question lies there.