Clay shooting, chokes??

[devildog32713]

I am getting a new hunting/sport shooting barrel for my security shotgun, and am going to buy a modified choke tube for it, Is this suitible for clay shooting? I am anxious to try it, but have no knowledge of what choke sizes would work well, and someone who knows, what are all the differences in different clay shooting games?

Thanks

 

[627PCFan]

It might be a bit much for skeet, just about right for sporting clays, and could cause some fun on trap. I shoot a light mod for SCs and cyl for skeet. My advice is don't get a fixed choke barrel.

 

[twice barrel]

Rough guide:
Skeet choke is designed to maximize your pattern a 22 yards.
Improved Cylinder - 25 yards
Modified - 30 yards
Full - 40 yards

Each manufacturer may vary from this a tad but you get the idea.

In order to determine which is best for each clay target game you would need to know the "average" distance most shots are taken.

The other consideration is pattern density. This can be adjusted somewhat by the size of the shot and charge weight.

Keep in mind that with a barrel that furnishes evenly spread patterns the very center is pretty much the same regardless of choke. Its why very accurate shooters can hit so far out with a skeet barrel.

The other consideration is barrel length. A longer barrel tends to slow down your swing while simultaneously keeping the gun swinging better. The two most common causes of misses in my opinion are stopping the swing or lifting your head just before pulling the trigger.

Lastly, you have to pattern your gun with a load that you know how many pellets are in the charge. Put an aiming point in the center of a 30" circle. Mount this on something that the pellets will pass thru and not bounce back out of. Back off 30 yards and take a shot. Count the # of hits inside and on the circle and dismiss all that fall outside. Divide the number of qualifying hits by the total number of pellets in the original charge. Do this 5 times with the same load and average the result. 75% is common for a full choke. 50% modified choke and 30% an improved cyl choke.

Compare the result with how your choke is labeled. It is not a precise measurement but you will gain a good idea of your particular barrels effective range with any given load. Usually you'll find that larger shot groups tighter but don't bet on it.

Have fun,

TB

 

[oneounceload]

If this is an 18" barrel, you may find yourself having issues with your swing, as short barrels do not help you keep your momentum.

Depending on the game, chokes will vary.

There are several games - Skeet, Trap, 5-stand, Sporting Clays, and FITASC are the most prevalent ones in the US, with Int'l versions of trap and skeet popular elsewhere.

Choke constrictions (in 12 gauge) typically run:

Cyl - .000" constriction
SK - .005"
IC - .010"
LM - .015"
M - .020"
IM - .025"
F - .030-.035"
XF - .040"

SK or IC work just fine for Skeet. Trap singles from the 16 yard line will do well with a M. Sporting clays can have such a wide variety, but most targets are within the IC/LM/M range. FITASC is a harder version of Sporting and targets are more in the M/IM range.

As mentioned, the designation on the choke is an indicator of what it is SUPPOSED to be. Different ammunition, different actual bore sizes and mfg. tolerances can vary, so a choke might actual pattern one size tighter or looser. A pattern board with the ammunition you intend to use will let you know.

If your new barrel is somewhere in the 28" range, that will help more than using a short barrel.

Which game are you going to be doing?

 

[devildog32713]

Ok thanks, the only barrel offered for my gun is 28 inches, I would go with 24, but that's all that is offered. My current barrel is 20 inches, open cylinder, so I guess that might work for "Skeet" although I don't understand much of the differences.

 

[devildog32713]

Everything I can! And for the land I so far have permission to hunt on that is mainly Squirrel and rabbits, am allowed to dispatch any crows, groundhogs I come across, (groundhogs are EXTREMELY dumb where I am, so yes, I could probably get a ton with a shotgun) I eventually want to pursue waterfowl, but that's a ways of, and this fall I want to hunt turkey (X-Full I know,) want to shoot clays at my local range just for fun. Will take everyone's advice, and pattern out my shotgun.

 

[grmnshorthair]

Oneounceload just about covered it all regarding chokes. I can only add what chokes I shoot and they seem to work good for me. Your original question was regarding sporting clays chokes. If I shoot a double, I usually shoot an improved cylinder and a modified chokes. If I shoot a single barrel, for SC, I use a improved cylinder. Most of the clays on the SC course are pretty close. Typically, the more open, the better. A buddy of mine shoots a skeeet choke for SC's. It works for him.

But as oneounceload said, there are a lot of variables. You should pattern your shotgun to see what kind of a pattern you are shooting and where the shot is going.

 

[oneounceload]

We have several courses here in FL where sporting targets are easily within IC range. There is one, (our favorite) where the setter always has a few "separator" stations, designed to keep the M class shooters from getting close to 100. There are definitely in the modified choke arena as they are over 40 yards and crossing fast.

So, OP, depending on where you're shooting and the distance to targets, choke designations can be very subjective.

 

[JimKirk]

Skeet and Light Modified.

I used these with my 20 ga. Benelli.

We did shoot one course that the trapper would sneek in a few "longer" shots. If I got to "look" before I shot I would change to a modified for those.
I shot 1 oz. of # 9 for most, the longer shots I would change to #8.

Jimmy K

 

[claysportsonline]

I am a big fan of IC for sporting clays. If you are shooting for fun, most courses are set up with targets at around 30 yards and almost all within 45 yards. You'll crush them all.

Good shooting to you-
Christian Parker
www.claysportsonline.com

 

[winchester '97]

yeah modified would do it, full would too if your talking trap, for skeet you would want and improved cylinder, and i personally prefer the improved/modified choke for all clay games, it and the modified are the do all chokes of clay games.

 

[RUT]

>>I am a big fan of IC for sporting clays<<

Ditto that. I use IC pretty much excvlusively for S.C., and will use Lt. Mod on occasion.

 

[devildog32713]

Thanks everybody, since I'm on a budget, I'm just gonna buy a modfied, and stick with that for a little while, I'm not shooting competetively at a club or anything, just using a cheap thrower and clays from Dick's Sporting Goods, thanks all again!

 

[devildog32713]

Hey RUT, can I steal your signature line and add it to mine? I really like that.

 

[RUT]

Only if you were a Marine.