[Mulliga]

I'm new to shotguns, and I didn't quite realize the practical implications of shotgun chokes until recently; I just shot some skeet and trap for the first time, and while I only hit about 1/3-1/4 of the clays in skeet, I hit damn near all the clays in trap. I then remembered I had a modified choke tube in my barrel, which is of course better for trap than for skeet, but I didn't realize it made that much difference.

My question is this - how is modified for home defense? Is it safe to fire my 20 gauge 870 without this choke tube? Is no choke better suited to home defense, or should I buy a "skeet choke" and kill two birds with one stone? The longest shot in my apartment is only about 20-30 feet. Thanks in advance!

[45crittergitter]

At indoor ranges of probably 10 yards or less, I doubt there is any practical difference in what choke you use.

You MUST NOT fire a shotgun with screw-in type chokes without a tube installed - ruins the threads and probably screws up your shot pattern as well.

[sm]

Do not shoot without a choke tube installed. Doing so damages the fine threads in the bbl.

Pattern the gun for distance needed for task. Many folks do use a Mod Choke because of the patterns/yardage and loads chosen.

See the thread with the buckshot pics. Some are with Mod chokes.

If you choose to shoot skeet , by all means get a SK choke, IC is good for SC, Mod will cover trap.

These 3 will cover most anything one needs, Except Turkey. As Experience comes and patterning reveals -adapt as need.

HTH

[lbmii]

If you do go out and pattern some buckshot or even birdshot in your 20 gauge, please take some digital photos of the pattern and put them in the buckshot pattern photo thread. I think a lot of people would be interested with the results from the different chokes.

[BillL223]

At household distances, choke doesn't matter. Per previous posts, do have one installed. I keep whichever choke was in the gun after I last used it (some form of practical competition) in the gun.