Forums46
Topics552,098
Posts9,900,285
Members88,167
|
Most Online28,231 Feb 7th, 2025
|
|
|
Best chokes for quail
#7351505
11/18/18 12:49 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 60
TexasShooter
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 60 |
I have not been quail hunting in over 50 years and then didn't have change out chokes. So what chokes do you all suggest I use. I am shooting a 20 ga side by side using 7 1/2 s 1 oz loads. I have been told to use sleet chokes I hinted pheasant last year using an IC and a Mod. We will be hunting farm raised birds over dogs
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351508
11/18/18 12:55 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
I have not been quail hunting in over 50 years and then didn't have change out chokes. So what chokes do you all suggest I use. I am shooting a 20 ga side by side using 7 1/2 s 1 oz loads. I have been told to use sleet chokes I hinted pheasant last year using an IC and a Mod. We will be hunting farm raised birds over dogs You are well informed. I shoot an O/U, Beretta, with 26 inch barrels, bored Skeet&Skeet, with one ounce number 8 shot, and I don't miss.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351543
11/18/18 02:07 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558 |
Bill's set up would work great. I might go IC in one barrel for wild birds.
![[Linked Image]](https://i.postimg.cc/KjZZqFj8/point-with-bird.jpg) "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351551
11/18/18 02:25 AM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,819
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,819 |
Pen raised birds skeet/skeet or IC/IC will work fine. There is not enough difference on a pattern board with my shotguns to matter much. Wild bobwhite quail I like IC/Mod. Blues I choke IC/Full.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351576
11/18/18 02:58 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618
nate33
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618 |
Shooting farm raised quail is similar to shooting a parked truck----------- it's almost impossible to miss. So choke is irrelevant. Anyone who shoots IC on wild quail basically has no idea what they are doing. I shoot full,,, if the bird is close you just track him out to 30 yards before shooting. I"ll bet most of the people recommending IC load their gun with 5 shells,,, we call them 'blasters' instead of hunters.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351624
11/18/18 04:20 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,709
bobcat1
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,709 |
Bobby Barnett
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: nate33]
#7351636
11/18/18 04:48 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,535
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,535 |
Shooting farm raised quail is similar to shooting a parked truck----------- it's almost impossible to miss. So choke is irrelevant. Anyone who shoots IC on wild quail basically has no idea what they are doing. I shoot full,,, if the bird is close you just track him out to 30 yards before shooting. I"ll bet most of the people recommending IC load their gun with 5 shells,,, we call them 'blasoters' instead of hunters. Where do you come up with all of the bullsht you post on the Upland Forum? Do you have a clinic to teach everyone that doesn’t know what they’re doing shooting IC chokes how to “Track” bird with a full choke?
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7351662
11/18/18 11:17 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 392
arandy
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 392 |
IC or Skeet. I see some of the choke makers are even making an Improved Skeet which should be a good choice.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: bill oxner]
#7351704
11/18/18 01:23 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
I have not been quail hunting in over 50 years and then didn't have change out chokes. So what chokes do you all suggest I use. I am shooting a 20 ga side by side using 7 1/2 s 1 oz loads. I have been told to use sleet chokes I hinted pheasant last year using an IC and a Mod. We will be hunting farm raised birds over dogs You are well informed. I shoot an O/U, Beretta, with 26 inch barrels, bored Skeet&Skeet, with one ounce number 8 shot, and I don't miss. OOPS. I forgot to report that I no longer carried a shotgun while quail hunting. I just go to watch the dogs.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: arandy]
#7351804
11/18/18 03:31 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,709
bobcat1
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,709 |
IC or Skeet. I see some of the choke makers are even making an Improved Skeet which should be a good choice. 
Bobby Barnett
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: nate33]
#7351818
11/18/18 03:44 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,107
blanked
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,107 |
Shooting farm raised quail is similar to shooting a parked truck----------- it's almost impossible to miss. So choke is irrelevant. Anyone who shoots IC on wild quail basically has no idea what they are doing. I shoot full,,, if the bird is close you just track him out to 30 yards before shooting. I"ll bet most of the people recommending IC load their gun with 5 shells,,, we call them 'blasters' instead of hunters. This is farthest from truth if you hunt behind pointers. Pointers give you closer shots
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7352038
11/18/18 09:54 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,049
P_102
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,049 |
Same ol’chit from nate.....ducks his head in, knocks other hunters/shooters while bragging about himself and then runs away.
P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7352629
11/19/18 03:34 PM
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,595
First_Chance
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,595 |
Let the birds/conditions dictate your choke selections. Anytime you are hunting over dogs, expect to get closer shots because the dogs will typically cause the birds to “hold”. This is especially true with pen raised birds as they are not as fast nor do they flush as readily as wild birds. They are not as tough either. So pen raised birds - over dogs, you can shoot open chokes and lighter pellets with good success.
Wild birds are a little different story. Dogs will hold wild birds better but wild birds are fast fliers and use the brush cover to protect themselves. They flush erratically, fly low and turn quickly. Personally, I shoot a 20 or 28ga, IC/Mod, 7.5’s on S. Tx wild birds. During Late season after the birds have been hunted some and the cover gets thinner, I might change to 6’s as the birds start running and flushing early and the shots are longer, but still stay with the same chokes. I’m a pretty quick shot and would NEVER shoot a full choke unless I was shooting a .410. If a bird is out of range for a mod choke… the bird wins and I won’t pull the trigger.
On a side note, I would say that someone that can’t get on a wild bird quick enough to kill it with a IC choke and needs a full choke really has no business hunting wild birds.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7352651
11/19/18 03:58 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331 |
Well, you need to pattern various chokes and loads. If you are having quail take off right at your feet I think it is definitely possible to over choke. You might want to even try the spreader loads. In a two barrel gun figure modified on the second barrel however on your particular gun you might need full. I've killed lots of birds with 8/s versus 7 1/2 and you get a few more pellets per load. I hunt doves with modified chokes and do okay. As I said, you are flying blind unless you put in the boring task of patterning various loads at various distances.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: nate33]
#7352883
11/19/18 07:54 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,499
duckbill
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,499 |
Shooting farm raised quail is similar to shooting a parked truck----------- it's almost impossible to miss. So choke is irrelevant. Anyone who shoots IC on wild quail basically has no idea what they are doing. I shoot full,,, if the bird is close you just track him out to 30 yards before shooting. I"ll bet most of the people recommending IC load their gun with 5 shells,,, we call them 'blasters' instead of hunters.  The clown show has arrived
Yeah, don't listen to me. I'm just an idiot.
Lol. Duckbill that was funny! The dude up top has already taken lots of bone before this deer, both mule and whitetail.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: nate33]
#7353000
11/19/18 09:58 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,068
NorthTXbirdhunter
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,068 |
Here we go again. A lot of places I hunt, there are no 30 yard shots. You wait that long and they are gone to brush, trees, ravines, etc. I shoot I/C over I/C in an o/u. Nate, I only hunt wild birds. I will be glad to count birds with you as long as we are shooting in front of a pointed dog and not off the top of a truck. Let me see if you know what you are talking about.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7353441
11/20/18 12:38 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558 |
![[Linked Image]](https://i.postimg.cc/KjZZqFj8/point-with-bird.jpg) "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7353508
11/20/18 02:21 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,826
colt45-90
Texas colt45
|
Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,826 |
before screw in chokes, would buy 26" barrel and cut 2" off, worked great
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7353674
11/20/18 04:59 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558
reeltexan
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,558 |
Same thing a buddy of mine used to do. He'd cut a side by side off and when the covies would flush, he'd drop both barrels then pick up the birds.
![[Linked Image]](https://i.postimg.cc/KjZZqFj8/point-with-bird.jpg) "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Ronald Reagan
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7353677
11/20/18 05:03 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331 |
It pays to remember that shotguns are not exactly like rifles. Chokes and gauges are within tolerance ranges and there are back bored barrels, all sorts of stuff going on. You really need to pattern various loads and chokes and see what puts the most pellets in a 30" circle at what you figure will be the average shooting distance. I know, it is a lot of work and bother but trust me, finding a load that does what you want can make a huge difference.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7353895
11/20/18 09:09 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 61
Dogmountin
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 61 |
threads... 
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7354017
11/21/18 12:12 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 127
Timn
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 127 |
I would like to hunt with Nate, I would get all the shooting I wanted before he started lol.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7354242
11/21/18 03:47 AM
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,570
Huntmaster
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,570 |
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7366412
12/04/18 02:00 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 36
Tedmatthews
Light Foot
|
Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 36 |
I shoot ic.. most of the time I practice shoot and release.
|
|
|
Re: Best chokes for quail
[Re: TexasShooter]
#7366423
12/04/18 02:10 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 482
rmp
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 482 |
Pick a choke, pick a reasonable load and shoot, shoot, shoot. How well you shoot is much more important than the rest.
Jameson Peak Ranch Trophy Whitetails "Lets go hunt a BIG one."
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|