[devildog4329]

Hey guys im new to Skeet shooting and have some questions. I have a Charles Daily pump 12 gauge 28 inch barrel. Its a replica of a 870. My question is what size choke should i be using and what size shot. :confused: Thanks for any help

[Grey_Mana]

Remington has advice:
http://www.remington.com/pdfs/shotgun.pdf

http://www.remington.com/pdfs/skeet_fundamentals_2004.pdf

looks like they recommend full choke, and 6 to 8 1/2 birdshot, for skeet.

[Virginian]

Whoa !! Improved cylinder or Skeet choke for skeet. Average target is 22 yards. I think #9 Shot is the most popular, but I use the WalMart cheap 7-1/2s for skeet and hunting. You get a lot more pellets with #9s though.

[DeepSouth]

You can buy a "Skeet" choke they are typically halfway between a Cylinder Bore Choke and an Improved Cylinder Choke. If you already have Cylinder and IC chokes just try them and see how you do with each, most people I know use the IC. If you go to your local Wal-Mart they should have 100 round 'value packs' of target/skeet loads, generally 7 1/2 or 8 shot, depending on brand.

There is also a BIG difference between shooting skeet in the pasture with a few buddies and doing it by the rules in competition. Which are you trying to do?

[DaleCooper51]

Regarding shot size

At the club where i normally shoot skeet, shot size is limited to size 8 or smaller (8, 8.5, or 9) due to the closeness of the property line. Trap is permitted to use 7.5. Before i started reloading, i used either the Remington or Federal bulk pack in number 8.

8's are a pretty safe bet and work well. If there is a question, check with the club where you are shooting before buying something that you cant use.

[Bailey Boat]

8's or 9's, 2 3/4 dram shells will let you shoot more with less sore. And do me a favor and pattern the gun before you shoot a new choke tube. Sometimes you'll be amazed at where the pattern center actually is........

[ArmedBear]

Go here: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=94&sid=5abbd0f7f0a95da29af8f2b2ed28d34a

Check out the top two permanent posts (Intro and Videos).

Print out the Todd Bender Cheat sheets. Keep a copy in the bathroom, take it to the gym, etc. and memorize the look points, stances, leads, etc. It's not that hard to remember, once you see patterns in it, but it will jumpstart you big time over standing there and blasting away at the air.:)

#8 is fine, and easier to get in bulk loads for cheap than #9.

If I handload again, I'll use #9, but a #8 pattern is plenty dense. I've shot #8 or from a cylinder bore and it breaks the targets just fine from the longest distances skeet offers.

Have fun, and start putting money in a savings account each paycheck, if only a little. If you like skeet, you will eventually be buying a shotgun that seems really expensive to you right now but will soon seem perfectly reasonable.:)

[Two Cold Soakers]

I'm talking 2 tower, 8 station, 25 bird skeet. US style.

One or 1-1/8 oz of #8 or #9 shot.

Suggested chokes, in order of increasing restriction (= decreasing pattern "size" at a given distance) and preference for a beginner are:
Cylinder
Skeet
Improved Cylinder.

I stongly suggest cylinder. Tighten after you determine that you SWEAR that bird was hit, but only YOU saw the chip or dust.

[oneounceload]

Personally, at typical skeet distances of 21 yards, I prefer nothing heavier in my 12 than a 1 oz load - there really isn't any need for more payload. Many I shoot with are using 7/8 or even 3/4 oz loads in 12 (3/4= 28 gauge load) and they are having great success.

If you're not reloading yet (something to consider if you plan on shooting a lot), the wally world/Dick's promo loads by Federal seem to get the nod over Remington's and ESPECIALLY over the Winchester Universals. They're all about the same price - +/- a buck or two

[Two Cold Soakers]

BY NO MEANS pass up a chance to shoot because all you have is 7-1/2 shot and a modified choke.

This is supposed to be about having fun!

[ArmedBear]

BY NO MEANS pass up a chance to shoot because all you have is 7-1/2 shot and a modified choke.

This is supposed to be about having fun!

Exactly. But do put in an order an open choke for the gun.

[throdgrain]

Only on the internet would someone recommend a pump action and full choke for a round of skeet :D

[JimKirk]

Number 9 shot has 568 pellets per oz.
Number 8 shot has 399 pellets per oz.
Number 7.5 shot has 338 pelltes per oz.
So you would have 169 more chances to bust a clay with #9.
230 more than 7.5 shot.
Smaller shot tend to pattern better percentage wise too.

Jimmy K

[ArmedBear]

So you would have 169 more chances to bust a clay with #9.
230 more than 7.5 shot.

Except that it only takes a few pellets to break a clay decisively, a standard clay is a 4.25" circle, and a pattern of shot will break the clay if you hit it somewhere in the pattern anyway. You're not going to have 5" holes in your pattern at skeet ranges with decent shot, whether you use 7.5 or 9.

Like I said, #8 through a Cylinder bore breaks 'em decisively enough. It's just more fun to powder them.:)

[Snarlingiron]

The term "skeet" is nebulous when applied to chokes. Most call .005" constriction a skeet choke. However, Remington sells a standard Remchoke skeet that is -.005", and a sporting clays extended choke called skeet that is .004" constriction.

http://www.remington.com/products/accessories/gun_parts/remchoke_specs.asp

I shoot skeet with either a cylinder choke or a .005" constriction. Lately I have been mostly using the cylinder. Seems to work well at skeet ranges.

Go ahead and shoot what you have until you can get a more open choke. I generally shoot 1 oz. #8s, #7 1/2s when I don't have # 8s. I shoot #9s when I can get them, which is seldom.

I commented to a buddy "Why the heck don't these stores stock more # 9s?" His response was, "I think you have it wrong. They are stocking them, its just that all the skeet shooters buy them all up." Maybe so.

I know I buy them when I can find them.

[devildog4329]

thanks alot everyone for the info. it was greatly appreciated. I will let you know next thursday how everything went. Again thanks alot.

[oneounceload]

"Why the heck don't these stores stock more # 9s?"

Because hard-core skeet shooters buy shells by the pallet and then reload them till they split down the side - ESPECIALLY in 28 and 410...:D

[ArmedBear]

#7.5 and #8 can be used for small game, birds, trap, skeet and sporting clays.

#9 can be used for skeet.

It's just more economical to manufacture a lot of 7.5 and 8 shells with mid-range velocities and sell them to lots of people.

Look for Gun Club (Remington) and Estate (Federa): http://www.gamaliel.com/