[yosemite]

I have a Winchester Super X Model 1 in very good condition. It has a Modified choke barrell and bead front sight. Would this make a reasonble SC shotgus? I'm new to SC and really do not know what would work best.
Yosemite

[ArmedBear]

Should work fine to go shoot SC, assuming the gun works for you to begin with. The only thing you might want to mess with, over time, is the choke constriction -- and that depends on the course you will shoot.

It might be perfect exactly as-is.

Do you have a fixed barrel, or do you have choke tubes?

[yosemite]

It is a fixed barrel. Was considering having threaded to use tubes but someone told me that the shotgun may be better value if not altered.

[oneounceload]

M is about as tight as you want to get for sporting - so you'll be good to go for the longer shots. All it means on the close ones is that you'll have to be "on the bird" and won't have any room for "slop" or "almost" shots...:D

If it fits, then those shouldn't be an issue anyway.

For more info on sporting clays, there's Shotgunworld.com and Sportingclays.net, among others. Lots of knowledgeable folks with great tips and help on this VERY addictive game

[sohcgt2]

I prefer IC but I shoot with many who prefer M and a few use doubles with one of each. I would say since you have the gun use it and if you want to trade or add to your collection later you can.

[ArmedBear]

I think the whole idea is, go out and shoot. Then figure out if there's something you want that's different from what you have.

You could do a bunch of research, decide on a gun, go spend a few grand, and it might not work for you.

Run what you brung, and then figure it out based on real-world experience.:)

(And I've been using Skeet/IC, or IC in a single barrel, but I could have missed just as well with a Modified.:D)

[oneounceload]

Here in FL, where there isn't an abundant of WIDE open spaces, shots seem fairly close so SK or IC works well for about 90% of the targets. There's always a separator station or two that would be better served with a LM or M.

Try it with what you have and go from there.

Get in with some M class shooters for tips, or better, take a lesson or two on how to read the flight paths and get to understand hold points, insertion points and break points and how to determine them........

[Dave McCracken]

I started shooting back before choke tubes were common, and the method we used to tailor the pattern was varying the load.

Many of our shotguns were overchoked for the closer shots, so we used small shot, cheap loads for those and more expensive loads with larger shot for longer opps.

That X1 is a fine gun, and I'd leave it be. Try skeet loads of 9s up close and 7.5s for those long ones.

Trap loads of 7.5s or 8s will be tighter patterning than you may need in that fine old barrel, but Dove and Quail cheapies may fill the bill.