[kirbythegunsmith]

There is a newly-posted article at the website that shows a situation developing with a Polychoke in magnified/zoomed images.

Some steel shot pounding of 2 chokes is shown to help shooters identify another problem, as well as showing a couple of chokes that were about to rip apart or destroy a barrel.

http://theshotgunshop.net/article_4.html

If you haven't seen the barrel that is ready to explode the next shot, be sure to see article 3 at the website.

Questions or comments?

Thanks, Kirby.

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, Kirby, for the info and reminders.

[kirbythegunsmith]

Forgive my possible mis-label as I do want to be clear about the article details.

I wanted to verify that the Polychoke damage shown in the article is not claimed to be from steel shot usage since I cannot verify that situation. The damage is present regardless of shell type used. The damage to the bulged choke tubes is definitely from the use of steel shot. The damage to the peeled and torn tubes is due to poor alignment of the choke to the bore.

Read my other articles to see the pictures of the offset chokes installed by factories and gun tinkerers. I have noticed that most postings about shotguns that don't hit where the shooter points totally miss that principle, or ignore the possibility of such an occurrence. That can only mean that some writers are in denial of a serious problem. I am sure that a misaligned pattern can be improved by aligning the shooter to a crooked choke with stock shims, rib and sight adjustments, but the crooked choke alignment problem doesn't disappear or stop affecting pattern condition.
Those that believe that a pattern isn't likely to be substantially affected by a bad choke installation are only arguing about degree, not the fact that at least some effect is present. A misaligned front end on your car will wear the tires faster, but by how much? Matter of degree, not the fact that it happens.

That doesn't even take into consideration the handling condition effect from the misalignment. A misaligned car front end may not handle as safely when pushed near the limits, and a gun that has the stock position drastically altered in an attempt to move the shooter's face way to one side (for example) has got to be presenting a poor picture of rib and bead alignment to the eye. Does anyone agree or disagree with those particular comments?

Those wanting to read the articles on my website should scroll down to the set of embedded links to the one that says "article selection".

When you click to that page, there is the first 4 articles listed in order for you to click, and some more described (rather than numbered) articles are available for your enlightenment. Below that are a couple of links to a forum posting series about long chambers and their effect on patterns from short shells, i.e. 2-3/4" shells in 3-1/2" chambers.

If you agree with my comments, say so and recommend others examine the pictures and explanations for themselves. If you disagree, let me know what is confusing or any possible error in any meaningful detail.

Thanks.

kirbythegunsmith@hotmail.com