[Black92LX]

What is the best choke for a beginer for shooting clays?

my assumption would be the larger the pattern the better correct:confused:

[TrapperReady]

Usually, when presented with an unknown course, I'll just ask at the clubhouse. I've found that unless you are on some of the harder courses, IC tends to be pretty good. It's rare that I use anything tighter than MOD on a SC course.

I will tend to carry a couple different types of shells, and will use #8.5 shot for closer and medium targets. Longer ones I'll generally use #7.5.

If I had to pick one combo, I'd probably go with IC and #8.

If you're just starting, don't worry too much about choke and all that. Just concentrate on the target and have fun. I think the folks who spend a lot of time messing with chokes do it so they have a readily available excuse, as opposed to any competetive advantage. :D

[DragonRider]

I use a Improved Modified for all of my single barrels, on my only double I have IM on top and Mod on the bottom.

John

[PJR]

When you say "clays" it depends which game you mean.

Skeet = cylinder, skeet or improved cylinder

Trap = modified, improved modified or full

Sporting Clays varies with the shot although most courses can be managed with improved cylinder and modified chokes. If tighter chokes are required you are probably shooting targets tougher than a new shooter should face.

It is true that your pattern should be as large as possible but without holes in the pattern that will let a target slip through. So it should be as large as possible and as tight as necessary. I'd start with the most open choke I could for each discipline.

Paul

[TrapperReady]

PJR makes an excellent point. I made the assumption that you were talking about sporting clays. His advice on trap and skeet is good. With trap especially, many folks (myself included) move to very tight chokes once they get a handle on the game.

[Dave McCracken]

Good input so far, coupla things,though...

In most shotguns equipped with tubes, possible constriction runs from 0 to 40 POC. I'd be quite happy with a Cylinder (0 POC) choke for 20 yard shots and under,Light Modified (15 POC) from 20-30 yards, and Light Full (30 POC) out to 40.If using generic ammo, I'd go to the next tightest choke 5 yards sooner.

Naturally, in Remchokes I've got Skeet (5), IC, (10) Modified (20) and Full (40).

More folks, IMO, are overchoked with our wodnerful modern ammo than under.

And choke is about as important as load selection, I can make an IC pattern like a Modified by going to a slower load of larger, harder shot, and vice versa.

Go with Paul's advice, tho if I were doing SC, I'd probably use a Light Modified.