Chokes: Beretta Skeet USA vs. Skeet

[stellarpod]

My apologies in advance if the following question seems stupid, but I'm new to skeet shooting and just trying to learn my way around:

Can anyone tell me the difference and why Beretta offers two different *skeet* chokes? Finally, what is used for skeet in the US, and should I be using skeet chokes in both tubes of my O/U when shooting skeet? I have one of each (skeet and skeet USA). Would those two suffice?

Steve

 

[Cuzzin]

The European 'skeet' is actually a spreader choke in that it opens to .759 - the normal skeet choke is only about a .005 restriction to give approx .727 or .725 down from the typical 12Ga cylinder bore of .729. You want two skeet chokes so you can shoot doubles if shooting skeet.

 

[stellarpod]

So Cuzzin, when you say two *skeet* chokes are you saying (in Beretta vernacular) *skeet* or *skeet USA*?

For the record, my gun - Silver Pigeon Grade II - came with a skeet choke (not skeet USA). I have since purchased a skeet USA, so now have one of each.

Steve

 

[oneounceload]

Skeet chokes are .005 in constriction in every bore size.

There are also Skeet 1 and Skeet 2 - which equates to .003 and .008

In international skeet, Olympic scholars like Kim Rhode uses IC and LM for her 24 gram loads

Do not go overboard about chokes - any open choke will work just fine

 

[Cuzzin]

The 'USA skeet' choke designation is seen in Europe to differentiate it from the normal European 'skeet' (spreader) choke mentioned above. The USA skeet should be a .005 restriction as is the regular skeet marked chokes found in the US. There will be no difference. Both of your chokes should be marked .005 restriction or be marked as .727 or .725 (typically). As oneounceload said, these, or any open choke (cylinder, Skeet 1, Skeet 2, even an improved cylinder might work) for regulation skeet shot on the 8 station field. If you are actually shooting something else - a different choke set might be in order.

 

[Cuzzin]

I guess the short answer woulda been - yes, the skeet and skeet usa chokes will be fine.

 

[stellarpod]

Thanks for the info guys. I've shot a bit of sporting clays with the gun (using IC and IM) with fair success. But, the wife and I have enrolled in a beginner's skeet class and they said to choke our shotguns for *skeet*, so I was just trying to figure out what that actually translates to in Beretta's marketing-speak.

Never spent any time with skeet so it ought to be fun. And I'm really tickled that the wife is interested - in fact, it was her idea!

Thanks again.

Steve