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Shot gun chokes
#6367560
07/13/16 03:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
mskeeter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3 |
I am new to the forum and would like some information on recommendations for shot gun chokes. I would really like to improve my shooting skills and become a better shot. I have a Benelli M2 12 guage and an older 20 guage. I like to hunt dove & quail.
What choke and shell do you use or recommend and why?
Thanks for your input.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367611
07/13/16 05:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 988
cyphertext
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 988 |
#8 shot with either an IC or Mod choke, because that is what the fixed chokes are on my old Beretta. If using my A300 Outlander, I typically have a IC in for dove.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367619
07/13/16 08:41 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442 |
In general select chokes by how far expected shots will be and pattern you gun to know how well it patterns with different chokes and loads.
For dove early season and hunting tanks Skeet or IC usually works very well.
Later season or on large fields Modified or even full work quite well. For years my only shotgun was a over/under with Mod/Full choked that patterns full/extra full the gun fit me well and I have killed lots of dove with it but closer in shots I learned to avoid since the dove were shot up real bad.
The beauty of interchangeable chokes to me is you can talyor one gun to fit many situations like using skeet or IC for close in shots forgetting about shooting the long ones and modified or full for when the targets are flying further out for the most part. By patterning your gun with those chokes you can determine how far the effective distances will be with each choke and select the one that provides good patterns where a dove will be hit by 2 or 3 shot any where in the pattern as max effective range. Once that is known use the choke that matches the shot distances most being presented at your hunting spot.
For quail I like skeet or IC as shots are generally short and a more open pattern is useful. Same ones for early season dove or hunting tanks for dove.
Modified or full for when shots will be at longer ranges like 30 yards and beyond.
Something else that will improve your kill percentage on dove, pass on shots that are too far for your setup and skip on shots that are too close for tight chokes.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367646
07/13/16 11:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
I use a Light Modified/Skeet 2 most of the time with 7.5 shot for dove. For quail, same shot and IC for blues and skeet for bobwhite. YMMV.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367698
07/13/16 01:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
Pee on Photobucket
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367742
07/13/16 01:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,168 |
I prefer a modified for hunting, and an IC for everything else.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6367862
07/13/16 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753 |
Best advice, just go practice.
I personally like IC with 7.5 for Quail and LM with 7 Steel for Dove. The 7 Steel for Dove because I shoot Dove over tanks in the AM and sometime Teal come in. Also, it is a real good idea to pattern your gun at the average range you shoot. You will find that patterns change with chokes.
As far as recommendations I like Carlson Tubes and I have recently been testing Patternmaster SSS. I like the LM chokes to shoot trap because I try to simulate duck/dove hunting, I also use Patternmaster Code Black for long range practice. Practice like you play.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6368507
07/14/16 02:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
mskeeter
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3 |
Great information....Thanks for your input
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6368932
07/14/16 03:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,806
TDK
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,806 |
If you want to be a better shot spend money on lessons from a top instructor. No amount of money spent on chokes will help. If you're determined put a Briley light modified choke in and forget about it.
A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6368995
07/14/16 04:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
I would pm 5 Stand Dan on here, he is a pretty big shotgun enthusiast.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6372329
07/17/16 08:58 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165
Nitronx898
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165 |
I personally like IC and LT mod for everything. I shoot an O/U so I am a little mor capable of switching barrels as needed. If doves start flying further out I might go LT mod/mod. But knowing what your gun can do is the most important. I do a lot of clay shooting and bird hunting and I do not change chokes much at all. Depending on what brand chokes you use is a key also. I like Muller chokes. They give me the pattern I want out of my Blaser. I shoot 7.5 or 8 depending on the wind.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6372330
07/17/16 08:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165
Nitronx898
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165 |
I also shoot a volocity of 1200 to 1240. They seem to keep a better pattern than the 1300
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6372442
07/17/16 10:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825
poisonivie
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,825 |
Despite reading about how 1190-1250 is the best pattern velocity, I love the 1 oz Monarch 1350's. I shoot a lot of clays, wolf chase in particular. The other guys shoot handloads, 1400-1500 fps with 1 3/8 shot and I can do just as well with 1 oz 7 1/2. I shoot pretty much IM on the bottom and full on the top.
Pee on Photobucket
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6372517
07/17/16 11:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,398
bentman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,398 |
Chokes are over rated. Practice practice practice. I shot 4rds of 5 stand and 4 rds of skeet today. I never changed my chokes. Take a few lessons. Stay in front of the clay and focus on the clay. Nothing beats trigger time.
If it bleeds I can KILL IT
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6372863
07/18/16 01:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,766 |
What choke, Bentman....and do you feel you did better with it than you could have with any others? P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: bentman]
#6373175
07/18/16 05:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165
Nitronx898
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 165 |
Chokes are over rated. Practice practice practice. I shot 4rds of 5 stand and 4 rds of skeet today. I never changed my chokes. Take a few lessons. Stay in front of the clay and focus on the clay. Nothing beats trigger time. You are correct, trigger time is the key and chokes don't make a dang if you can't hit anything in the first place. But my point was no matter what you choke barrel you shoot knowing the pattern your shot makes at a certain distance is key. But someone beginning to shoot don't need to go out and use a full choke. They need a better pattern choke/barrel. I am a certified shooting coach and teach a lot of kids every year and also a coach for our local 4-H shooting team. We can not use Ammo over 1300 fps so that is what I buy. But I do shoot nothing over 1oz loads.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6373191
07/18/16 05:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,398
bentman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,398 |
I shoot Muller U2 basically a IC, if I were to use a Sk Lm or M yesterday I think my results would have been the same. When I shoot skeet with a full choke my score drops just Slightly. The key is find a choke that patterns good with your gun & practice alot.
If it bleeds I can KILL IT
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: bentman]
#6375278
07/20/16 01:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 60
AvianQuest
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 60 |
Yes they are. I shot factory improved cylinder on everything from dove to geese and sandhill crane.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: AvianQuest]
#6375312
07/20/16 01:59 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284 |
Yes they are. I shot factory improved cylinder on everything from dove to geese and sandhill crane. If chokes are over rated why don't we all just shoot cylinder bore. This statement makes no sense. I'll agree you can adapt your shooting to whatever choke you have in your gun. However it's much better if your choked properly for the job at hand.
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Re: Shot gun chokes
[Re: mskeeter]
#6375400
07/20/16 02:59 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,284 |
If I'm dove hunting I'll usually shoot a modified choke.
If your quail hunting over dogs shoot the most open choke you have. Too much choke makes two retrieves for one bird. When I was a kid I hunted over our dogs with a full choke for a few trips. Once I got quick on the trigger Papaw sawed two inches off the barrel of that H&R. With that open bore you could shoot them point blank when they cleared the cactus. I use an improved over improved these days but I've always thought I'd like to get the bottom barrel bored to skeet but never have.
I usually shoot 7 1/2's when dove or quail hunting. If your chasing Blues in the Sandhills with no dogs break out the full choke and number 6's or 5's late in the season and don't be ashamed to shoot them on the ground.
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