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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

shotgun chokes, which to use

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Rich Iowa

11-26-2005 04:09:02




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I"m going pheasant hunting tomorrow, and I"m drawing a blank as to which choke I need to use. I have a Mossberg 500 12ga. pump shotgun, I have an improved cylinder choke in right now. I also have a modified and full choke. 40 yards is about as far out as I go for taking a shot. I haven"t used my shotgun since I started hunting squirrels and rabbits with my .22 again early this fall. Anyone help a guy out?

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Kporter

11-26-2005 08:26:51




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Rich Iowa, 11-26-2005 04:09:02  
I only use skeet chokes. I shoot a Rem 870 and Fausti O/U. 90% of time pheasant shots are to close for modified or tighter. I hunt public land so I have to use steel. Being a good shot helps but a big pattern at 20-30 yards (were most of your shots should be) will get you a bird.



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buickanddeere

11-26-2005 06:39:05




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Rich Iowa, 11-26-2005 04:09:02  
As RJJ stated. Set up the test paper and try some patterns with diffferent chokes and ammo. Most often people try using too tight a choke and try shooting too far away.



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R. John Johnson

11-26-2005 06:13:49




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Rich Iowa, 11-26-2005 04:09:02  
Rich

Some of this depends on how you are hunting. If it is over a pointing dog they will be close shots and an Improved Cylinder choke would be my choice, since the birds would be close. If you are hunting over flushing dogs or without a dog and people driving the birds to flush them, they will be getting up further away. This calls for a modified chioke. Since you said you would not be taking shots over 40 yards, leave the full choke at home. When I lived in South Dakota and hunted Pheasants, I used Federal 2 3/4 Dram (1330 FPS) 1 1/4 #5's. Less pellets than the #6, but more retained energy to penetrate the vitals.

One last thing. Don't assume that since the choke tube says Modified that it is Modified. Get a big sheet of paper or cardboard, large enough to draw a 30" circle. Set it up at the range you will be shotting and fire one shot into it. If you want to get persnicity, you can cound pellet holes and figure your pattern percentage, but mainly I would be sure there were no giant gaps in the pattern and that it covered the 30" circle. I have a Rem IC choke that will pattern full choke percentages with a specific target load.

Good luck!

John

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dave from MN

11-26-2005 05:34:01




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Rich Iowa, 11-26-2005 04:09:02  
All I ever use for pheasants is Winchester or Rem high brass 5 or 6 shot with lead. This time of year I use modified only. Of course I shoot leage so I can get on the bird fast, in 2 weeks when they get up at the end of the feild and a spookly i will use full choke and magnum 4 shot. To me improved cylinder is to open and doesnt let you be the "deafd eye " you could be. Good luck, get your limit and more than anything hunt SAFE.

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Fawteen

11-26-2005 04:15:46




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Rich Iowa, 11-26-2005 04:09:02  
Chokes, in order from loosest to tightest pattern, are as follows:

Cylinder
Skeet
Improved Cylinder
Modified
Improved Modified
Full
Extra Full (Turkey)

I'm guessing you're probably alright with the I/C, but you might wanna put the Modified in your pocket just in case. You certainly won't want the full



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punchie

11-26-2005 04:35:02




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Fawteen, 11-26-2005 04:15:46  
Hi I use I/C, 7 1/2, Mags 2 3/4". Do a nice job on the birds wings, last shot is 5's Mag. The mags I'm using are hand loaded, would be a fair turkey load. If you have no 1 1/2 Oz. Mags, use Number 6's Heavy Field load 1 1/4 Oz. Range is about 30-40 yds. with both of these, 10-15 yds. too close better hit the head, or you'll have ground bird. Fours and fives are just a little too heavy, too many deep pellets, good for longer range 40-45. Don't for get to leed the birds , shot pattern is shape of a comet ( in a way ) bird is to fly into it.

Have Fun !!

Teddy

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phil ,,no deer where I hu

11-26-2005 04:25:30




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to Fawteen, 11-26-2005 04:15:46  
I've got the same gun ,,,,,for pheasents I'd use a modified choke ..does your mossburg jam up on short brass ..I've gotta use long brass shells which are pricey ..



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Rich Iowa

11-26-2005 04:46:11




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 Re: shotgun chokes, which to use in reply to phil ,,no deer where I hu, 11-26-2005 04:25:30  
Thanks for replying so quick guys. I haven"t noticed any jambing in my gun. I use 2 3/4in. shells, no problem. Right now I am using Winchester Super X game loads, with 1oz. #6 lead shot, this should work for pheasant, don"t you think?

I plan on using this gun for everything; rabbit, squirrel, deer with a slug barrel, turkey by applying camo, pheasant, etc. I don"t have the money to have a differant shotgun for every game, so I"ll get by with just one shotgun and a .22 Ruger.

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