[Avalanche2082]

I have a Remington 870L and it has a choke also have a Benelli HK M1 Super 90 with choke, I was wondering how the choke works and what type of shot I can shoot out of it how do I know what kind of choke is in it etc... I have only owned mossbergs in the past and they don't have chokes, so I am new to this.

[romeo212000]

depends on what choke is in each gun. Is it a modified, cylinder. Those are sizes. The sizes refer to the amount of constriction at the end of the barreal which dictates how tight your pattern is. Your other guns where choked as well. My guess is either modified or improved cylinder. Different shooting situations call for different chokes.

[Wildfire]

Hey There:
If you have a screw in choke , take it out and it should be marked as to what it is. Full is a tight pattern, modifide is wider, cylinder is wider yet, improved cyl. is wider yet. Turkey chokes are very tight.

[Sergeant Sabre]

Wildfire is correct, with the exception of the cylinder. Cylinder bore is the widest you get. It's simply a straight-bore with no constriction. Improved cylinder is a slight constriction.

[Wildfire]

Hey :
Sometimes my fingers walk faster then my brain.

[Robert Hairless]

Don't forget to clean the threads on the choke and barrel, lube them when you reinstall the choke, and screw it back in finger-tight.

[rantingredneck]

have only owned mossbergs in the past and they don't have chokes,

Sure they do, just depends on the mossberg.

Remove the choke and look for markings. That will tell you what type it is.

As to what shot for which choke, it kinda depends on what you intend to do with it. Bird hunting typically anything from IC to Full depending on the expected range. Closer = more open choke.

Small game loads in the #4 to #6 range again depends on the range you expect to shoot the game. Typically Mod or Full.

Buckshot typically does best with Modified, though some guns pattern well with a Full.

Slugs typically do best with IC or Cyl bore or better yet a rifled choke, or better still a fully rifled barrel.

Turkey hunting uses tight chokes for dense patterns. Specific Turkey chokes (Extra full or Extra Extra full) for this.

Waterfowl hunting with steel shot you use more open chokes. Typically a Modified choke for lead is used for Full choke type patterns for steel. Steel doesn't compress like lead does so you can't go real tight on the choke. Can damage the barrel/choke if you do.

Notice I keep saying typically. Each gun is a law unto itself.

That's kindof an overview I guess of what's typical.

[Avalanche2082]

Thanks for your replys.

So if I unscrew the choke it will say on it what it is? Also I have heard if you shoot slugs or buckshoot thru some chokes it will mess up your gun, is this true? Are there certain loads that are off limits to certain chokes? Also what about shooting your shootgun if you take the choke out completely?? Is it bad?

[rantingredneck]

Don't shoot your gun without the choke installed. That is bad.

Slugs shouldn't be shot through a Turkey Choke. Buckshot shouldn't cause any damage but will probably pattern poorly out of one.

Steel shot shouldn't be shot through a turkey choke or full choke (unless it's specifically marked for steel shot)

[kcshooter]

http://articles.outdoorcanada.ca/Homepage/default/choosing-the-right-shotgun-choke-n247413p1.html

Read thru this, it's a short primer on shotgun chokes.

[Dave McCracken]

A thread in the Archives called Chokes 101 should help. Hit Search, then Advance Search. Type Chokes 101 for subject, my name for author.

HTH....

[Avalanche2082]

Thanks for the links.

Is there a choke that is almost universal? ie. I only shoot at the range I do not hunt or at least not yet, and I'm not to concerned with how tight or wide the pattern is I just want to to be able to use any type of shot and not worry about if it is going to ruin my gun if I shoot a certain type of load out of it, basically a choke for all loads. Thanks for all your guys' help.:)

[Dave McCracken]

When in doubt, use Modified....

[Pete409]

I hate to disagree with Dave, but many chokes marked "Modified" shoot only slightly larger patterns than Full chokes. This might be fine for pass-shooting ducks or turkey hunting, but it would be over choked for most other uses.

More shooters are over choked than under choked. If I had to recommend only one choke to use, it would be Improved Cylinder. Once you get good enough to hit most of your game birds or targets with an IC choke, then you can consider tightening up to a Modified choke.

Of course, this is just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. :D

[machinisttx]

Wildfire is correct, with the exception of the cylinder. Cylinder bore is the widest you get. It's simply a straight-bore with no constriction. Improved cylinder is a slight constriction.

Actually, some skeet chokes have an outward flare. They'll throw slightly wider patterns than cylinder.



On edit---- I use a modified choke(fixed choke, not tubes) for the majority of my shotgunning. If I need a little more reach, I'll use my full choke barrel. I'll agree with Dave and say that you generally won't go wrong with a modified.

[throdgrain]

I use Improved Cylinder (we call it quarter choke) for most stuff, it shoots clays well enough at a suprisingly long range.

[edw8ri]

If you are shooting clay targets, then the choke you need depends on how far away the target is. The optimum pattern is about 30 inches in diameter. A cylinder choke will produce that pattern at a very close range. A full choke will not. It requires a longer distance for the pattern to open up.

If you are shooting skeet, the longest range at which you will shoot is about 25 yards. Use either a cylinder or skeet choke. If you are shooting 16 yard trap, then use either improved cylinder or modified. If you are shooting handicapped trap, then you might move to modified or maybe full. For sporting clays, buy put a skeet choke in your gun and an improved cylinder choke in your pocket. Those are the two you will need the most.

[Brian Dale]

When in doubt, use Modified....Wow...that phrase is applicable to a tremendous number of situations.