Hello, I have been looking around the forums for a while and decided to join. I would like to know if I should get a shotgun with adjustable chokes over the summer. I would use it mainly for deer, waterfowl and small game, I have plenty of 12 gauge shells so I'd prefer a 12 gauge pump. I do have a Winchester Model 1912 but that has a fixed full choke and while Remington Express #6 Game Loads pattern excellent out of this gun to 35 yards (the load I am using on turkey) I feel it would be too much for small game. Any input would be appreciated
12 gauge small game loads
- Thread starter DranDran
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blarby
Member
7/8th oz shells make the 12 ga awesome for small game- you can even go less than that with good handloading.
I'd recommend #4's for easier to extract from meat pellets
I'd recommend #4's for easier to extract from meat pellets
splattergun
Member
Adjustable chokes aren't all they're cracked up to be. They add unnecessary weight to the front end of the gun, changing your swing. Interchangeable choke systems are available on most all modern shotguns. Changing the choke "in an instant" just isn't necessary IMO. I usually have either the modified or improved cylinder in my gun, whilst carrying the other in an old Rx bottle in my pocket. Those 2 chokes meet over 90% of my upland and waterfowl needs. If I think I need to change choke, it only takes a moment. I think I have missed only 1 shot opportunity while I was in the middle of changing chokes in all my years.
If you have a modified choke in that model 12 then you can hunt anything on land using lead shot. IMO no other choke would be needed.
If you hunt waterfowl or in some areas in CA you need a shotgun that will handle steel shot per the current game laws and steel shot will damage that old model 12 which would be a shame. As mentioned most all the new shotguns come with interchangeable chokes though it takes some pre-hunt preparation if you want to change to a different choke and everyone I've hunted with that had interchangeable chokes never changed them in the middle of a hunt. Most put in the Modified and stashed the others away at home somewhere, never to be used.
If you hunt waterfowl or in some areas in CA you need a shotgun that will handle steel shot per the current game laws and steel shot will damage that old model 12 which would be a shame. As mentioned most all the new shotguns come with interchangeable chokes though it takes some pre-hunt preparation if you want to change to a different choke and everyone I've hunted with that had interchangeable chokes never changed them in the middle of a hunt. Most put in the Modified and stashed the others away at home somewhere, never to be used.
SEE IT LIKE A NATIVE
Member
I have a mossberg 500 pump in 12 gauge , it came with removable /changable choke inserts ! I would think that game loads using #4 or #5 shot would be ideal for any small game !It is also safe for steel shot ! Kevin
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
1 1/8 oz # 8 trap / target loads will kill any small game they walks hops, jumps, or flys on the earth.
Without costing $2 bucks a shot, or kicking the snot out of you.
It's not the #6 game loads that are over- kill.
It's the full choke at closer ranges that is over-kill!
You would be WAY better off with Imp Cyl or at most MOD choke for a wider pattern and less misses, or meat damage.
rc
Without costing $2 bucks a shot, or kicking the snot out of you.
It's not the #6 game loads that are over- kill.
It's the full choke at closer ranges that is over-kill!
You would be WAY better off with Imp Cyl or at most MOD choke for a wider pattern and less misses, or meat damage.
rc
MCgunner
Member
Squirrels can be at longish ranges. Full is not unwarranted for long shots on squirrel, but yeah, IC or mod is the way to go. I shoot 7.5 shot, 7/8 or 1 ounce dove loads, low recoil. I generally have my SxS along, mod/full. It's an old gun. Were I choosing now, I'd go with IC/mod which is what I use in my SxS 20 gauge, but the 12 works just fine, has for 43 years.
My great uncle used a mossberg 500 for 30 years and I have considered one
It's a fixed full, though I've been told modern steel shot "should" be safe I tend to be safe than sorry. I've thought about threading it for tubes but couldn't bring myself to do it to a classic. It's my first gun and I'd rather keep it original
tactikel
Member
Please do not shoot steel shot in your Mod 12. Pre war (WWII) shot guns have tighter chokes than those of today ( plastic shot cups not invented!) it WILL damage your barrel. If you want to shoot waterfowl consider Hevishot Classic Doubles, safe to use and will likely to pattern nicely. Cherish your '12 it is one of the finest pump guns of all time. Bagging a squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, or duck with a shotgun designed 102 years ago is special. Pattern as many shells as you can find!
Hevi shot is a little out of my price range for shells. I've though about bismuth, from I've read it's density is that of lead and safe for older guns. It patterns great to 35 yards (175 pellets in a 10" circle) with the lead Remington game loads and I'd love to take a turkey with it this month.
1911 guy
Member
A decent quality 12 gauge pump is probably the most versatile firearm one can own. So I vote a firm "Yes" to you getting one. The Mossberg 500, Remington 870, and similar others are all god bets. It's just a matter of finding one in your price range and if you prefer one over the others for some reason.
Interchangeable choke tubes are so common now that I wouldn't buy a shotgun, unless it was a screaming deal or specific purpose gun, without them.
You've got some decent advice regarding loads from other posters, so I won't meddle. But when you get around to shooting slugs, start with the IC choke tube and then try the CYL tube after that.
Interchangeable choke tubes are so common now that I wouldn't buy a shotgun, unless it was a screaming deal or specific purpose gun, without them.
You've got some decent advice regarding loads from other posters, so I won't meddle. But when you get around to shooting slugs, start with the IC choke tube and then try the CYL tube after that.
243winxb
Member
Mossberg combo with 2 barrels . #5 s for pheasant & rabbits. Mod choke. 8s for dove. Long shots use plastic buffered shells. #5s pass thru animal . No shot to bite into.
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oneounceload
member
Most small game does not need shot larger than 6s. A new pump should come with several choke tubes, typically IC, M, and F. You can also buy other constrictions as warranted. I prefer to split the differences and like a LM for close and IM for far, but it will all come down to what your ammo does in your gun, and different payloads, brands and shot sizes will factor into that equation.
I got my Winchester in exchange for mowing a neighbors lawn, so that's why I jumped on it.
loose noose
Member
That is all my Dad used for a good many years was a 30" full choked 12ga. in a Remington model 11 using #6 shot. That was for rabbit, partridge, ducks, timberdoodles, and even an occasional deer using a rifled slug.
Quite a few times I can remember him taking just the head off a rabbit using the full choked 12 ga. I don't remember ingesting too many of the fine shot while eating the partridge, pheasant, or duck either, come to think of it.
Quite a few times I can remember him taking just the head off a rabbit using the full choked 12 ga. I don't remember ingesting too many of the fine shot while eating the partridge, pheasant, or duck either, come to think of it.
WestKentucky
Member
I have a 20ga with the adjustable choke. I got so used to adjusting for each shot at squirrels that I miss it when I use my other guns. I would buy one of the new guns then find a screw-in adjustable choke if I wanted the adjustable choke part. As for weight at the end of the barrel, it makes a swinging shot at flying/running critters considerably easier as the weight smooths out the swing. Steel and slugs are not normally kind to adjustable chokes.
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