[Lawyerman]

In building my most recent 870 I decided I wanted more choke than cylinder bore. I had a very difficult time but eventually was able to find an 18" bead sighted barrel in Improved Cylinder. Remington offers this barrel as an LE part I believe, it's not easy to find! Their 20" rifle sighted barrel is also IC, at least the newer ones. Anyone else prefer a little more choke?

[jthuang]

Normally, I prefer cylinder bore on my social shotguns (buckshot patterns better due to less pellet deformation). However, my M1S90 has a 18.5" barrel with removable choke tubes. I like the flexibility of being able to use various chokes for various applications, such as the Patternmaster Police Fist choke tube for improving buckshot patterns.

Lastly, when I take her out for sporting clays, I can use the appropriate choke. :)

Justin

[Ringer]

I have been considering this same topic. Anyone know about this place Americhoke (http://www.americhoke.com/#screw) ? Seems reasonable at $75.00 plus the cost of some choke tubes which are normally about $15 each. Is this doable on a standard cylinder bore 870 barrell, reaming and threading for RemChoke? Is the barrell too thin?

Also considered the VangComp (http://www.vangcomp.com) modification for $220 but not sure I want that tight of a pattern at 5 to 7 yards.

[Skunkabilly]

If I had my druthers, my Benelli wouldn't even have chokes. I leave the IC in there and don't really see the use for the M or F that came with it.

[Ringer]

Hey Skunk

Are you saying you would prefer your IC to be fixed or would you prefer a smooth bore altogether?

[Mannlicher]

Lawyerman
I recently put one of these Remington 20 inch barrels on an old WingMaster. The barrel is IC choked as well.

I have seen no tendency to shoot poor patterns with buckshot. I see no deformed pellets with 00 or #4. Foster slugs shoot to point of aim, and group around 4 inches at 100 yards. I know am sure that some here could shoot tighter groups.

So far, I have been extremely satisfied with this addition to the Remington.

[only1asterisk]

I have patterned dozens of shotguns and have come to the conclusion that everything patterns better with some choke. The only good reason to run a staight cylinder is to use gas, breaching or less than leathals that require it. I have no use for these expensive toys, so business shotguns get modified chokes (and plain lethal buckshot). IC or Skeet chokes may work better with some slugs.


David

[Dave McCracken]

Most recently made(Since WWII) Police style shotguns labeled Cylinder have a few thousandths of contriction and are not true cylinders.Older ammo, especially buck, pattern better thus. After the Ammo Revolution of the 60s, the custom lingered on tho the need diminished.

There's no ironclad rule here, not even a good Rule of Thumb. Some barrels do well with little choke and big shot, others do better with some choke, and some like it tight. A choke tubed barrel is obviously a good candidate for testing and optimization.I wouldn't be surprised if some of us tried out Cylinder, Skeet, IC, Light Mod and Mod and found the patterns changed non incrementally, especially with big shot like 00. #4 or 3 buck may change more smoothly from increment to increment. #1 buck, in my limited testing, did best with a true IC, about .010". YMMV, and probably will.

If we patterned enough barrels and loads, I think the bell curve would show the "Ideal" constriction to be somewhere around .010 to .015", IC to Light Mod.

[only1asterisk]

Several years ago, I (and 2 others) evaluated fired around 1800 rounds of buckshot in a week testing combinations. The conclusion was that,while individual barrels did pattern 00 better with IC, modified turned in better patterns accross the board (no pun intended). I did not observe any "blown" patterns with modified although several of these Mod. marked chokes threw Full choke patterns with field loads.

Dave may be right about light modified being optimal, this would seem to agree with my testing. Regardless of choke, it pays to know your shotguns individual preferences as to brand and size of buckshot. Shotguns, chokes and shells are more of an art than a science and shotguns seem to be more individual than rifles.


David

[Dave McCracken]

Before I would set up a short cylinder barrel for tubes, I'd have the other end of the bore worked on.

A longer, more gently tapered forcing cone will aid large shot to enter the bore with less deformation. That will tighten groups somewhat and cut the recoil a little.

IIRC, it took a couple inches off 25 yard patterns and lowered the incidence of flyers when I did my oldest 870s' barrel.

[mete]

The reason for chokes on a combat shotgun is that you can get some interesting patterns for example taking out a BG at 50 yds without hitting the hostage. My Benelli with steel BB shot and modified choke puts all the pellets into 10" at 50 yds.

[Lawyerman]

Why? Why not use a rifle at that range? At anything under 50 yards thats almost exactly what you have with that set up! For me that's too much of a good thing!

[foghornl]

Much wiser man than me say: "Every shotgun barrel/choke is a rule unto itself".

Case in point, my Mossberg/Maverick 88 with the 18-1/2" Cylinder choke barrel keeps really good patterns with #4 Buck and PMC brand rifled slugs. #1 Buck is still decent, but anything bigger (0,00,000) gives a pattern at 30 yards that is all but unuseable. Remington "sluggers" in the 2-3/4" size, well, lets just say I would be as accurate if I removed the slugs from the shell and threw them downrange.

Results are almost exactly opposite if I install the original 28" 'Modified' choke barrel. #4 Buck gives a new meaning to 'scattergun', while 0/00/000 are tight. I have only tried a few of each, but the PMC slugs are off the paper @50 Yds, while the Rem "sluggers" are accurate, 5 within a tea saucer size.

So, when it comes to what barrel/choke works with a particular load, all I can say is "Your Mileage WILL Vary"

[El Tejon]

It is not the choke, it is the weapon.

No preference here. At ranges I will likely use it, as wise man in Tejas say, the shotgun is a rifle.

A buddy of mine with many more hours likes a modified choke. O.K., each to his own, just pattern the weapon and know where it is. No two weapons alike.:)

[Dave R]

FWIW, my 870 patterns 00 buck best with a Mod. choke.

My bro. has a Win 1300 defender with the 18" barrel. I have broken a lot of clays with it when we shoot together. Just for grins, I called about having it threaded for choke tubes. One 'smith said $40 for the threading, plus tubes. He thought there was plenty of metal in the barrel to allow it. Look at the end of a longer barrel and compare.

I think an 18" barrel with tubes would be cool. Think how quickly it would swing! Call it a smoothbore Guide Gun.

[Rat-30]

I have a 18" VR express barrel cut down from a 26" barrel, patterned so-so without any mods.

Had it threaded for rem-chokes, and installed a wad-wizard choke tube, and cut my 25-yard groups in half with 00Buck. Amazing performance.

Maybe I can post pics later this week, busy at work right now.

Best regards,