JC Higgins bolt action 20 - DIY slug gun

[storm4_3acr]

Have a JC higgins 20 bolt action that I have been thinking of converting to a slug gun. The only draw back that I can see is the full choke.

What are my best options on opening up the choke on this thing? Really would like to keep the barrel length as long as possible.

 

[Daveboone]

I would think cutting the bbl down below the choke would be the thing to do...but...
I cant held but wonder if you may not want to keep it. You can shoot slugs through any choke, and most bird bbls are loose for slugs. The choke may help the accuracy. Another thought is if you can have a gunsmith install a rifled choke tube into the end of the bbl. to help. Otherwise, for money spent I would think you would be ahead to find an Ithaca 37 Deerslayer, a gun designed for decades with a tighter bore (smooth for the first few decades) for tighter slug patterns.

 

[storm4_3acr]

This shot gun has been sitting around collecting dust for years. The bolt action is not the ideal action for upland birds or waterfowl. I primarily rifle hunt for large game but do occasionally hunt slug only zones. Looking at repurposing this shotgun and making it into a slug gun so that it gets used.

Regarding the choke, I have always found that cylinder or improved cylinder work the best for slugs. Most slug manufactures recommend the improved cylinder for shooting non-sabot slugs.

 

[451 Detonics]

Try it first with the full choke...it may surprise you. If not you can have a gun smith open the choke up or you can buy a hone and do it yourself...carefully.

 

[PapaG]

Trying to open up a choke with a hone is like trying to empty a swimming pool with a thimble. Brownells sells a choke opening reamer which will do the job in minutes.

 

[matrem]

If you decide to make it a dedicated slug gun, I'd recommend getting it threaded for choke tubes.The rifled tubes are usually better (with sabots) than smooth bores & you can always thread in a modified or full to bring down the smaller stuff.