Carlson's choke tubes....

[Dave McCracken]

One of the minor frustrations in my life right now is the fact that Remchokes go from about .710" for Modified choke in 12 gauge to about .690" for Full. That leaves a 20 POC hole in the line.

A shooting buddy advised me that Carlson's makes great tubes. A check of the Cabela's catalog shows they make one for the Remchoke that goes.700", splitting the difference. It's also an extended choke, which I'd prefer to put a little more weight out there. The LC barrel runs 4 oz lighter than the older fixed choke barrel, and I overswing through some targets now.

So, anyone have experience with these, good or bad? Thanks...

 

[HSMITH]

I measured out a couple for a skeet shooting buddy a couple years ago.

They were round and within a couple thou of advertised size.

Hastings and Tru-Lock are your other alternatives for good chokes at less than ridiculous prices.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, H. Knew you'd come through. Let's see if there's any other input....

 

[kotengu]

How do you measure a choke tube for round? I know how to measure outside concentricity with a dial indicator, but how do you measure an ID?

Are there any brands that are consistantly bad? What about good?

 

[HSMITH]

Inside concentricity is all you are worried about for roundness, but it needs to be measured installed. If OD concentricity is not good then inside will be bad as well when installed in round threads. If the threads are not round then all bets are off......

Barrels are seldom cut out of round. If wall thickness is even and OD or ID concentricity are good the choke will be good.

The lazy (smart?) way to do it is unload and open the shotgun action. Then measure the ID of the installed choke tube at 8 points, if 8 points are the same measurement then the choke tube is round enough for any practical purpose.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm convinced. Ordered one today. Did change my mind and get a flush mount, steel compatible, but it's .700". Thanks!

 

[sm]

HSMITH knows his stuff...
The other brand I've had good results with is Nu-Line.
I go for the external , but you guys already had figured I'd be different.
Mine are steel compatabile btw.

 

[Dave McCracken]

73, both you and H, Bless him, are assets here. Thanks.

As for steel compatable, I note the Full tube from Rem now says Lead and Steel.

 

[kotengu]

For the sake of reference and added info - I just measured a "modified" choke (flush mount) from Colonial Arms in my newly threaded and lengthened forcing cone 870 barrel. It advertises a .710" ID, and I measured a perfect 0.7105 in eight different places. Sounds close enough to me, and pretty round as well! I ordered an IC from them last night, and I'll report on that when it arrives.....

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks for the input, Kotengu. Looks like Colonial also is a class act.