JC HIggins Model 20/PowerPac-chokes..

[melt]

Would anyone out there know what types of shot shells would be used for the PowerPac Choke with the replacement choke tubes?

What about the adjustable choke?

I've been reading that modern ammunition shoudn't be used with the PowerPac and I'm not sure about the adjustable one either.

Thanks for your help.

 

[6x6pinz]

I shot a lot of modern loads through my JCH 20. It had the JCH adjustable choke on it and worked perfectly. I don't know about the powerpac choke.

 

[melt]

Thanks 6-

I had a rep from Lyman email me earlier in the week and advised against modern loads shot through the PowerPac...I asked for clarification but this was just before the holidays and I'll have to wait for the detail...

Im sure it has something to do with the platic shotgun wad getting caught in the gap between the barrel and choke tube.

Happy Holiday's

 

[CaptainChaos]

Interesting...

Melt,

I, too, have an M20. So far, no-one has been able to identify the type of choke. (It *does* have a "gap".) I also have a variable choke that, while apparantly being the correct thread, won't actually screw on *all* the way.

Please keep us informed of what you learn about this.

Thanks (and Merry Xmas),

Regards,

Mark.

 

[melt]

Chaos,

I spoke to a rep at Corson's Barrels earlier in the week in an attempt to find out a little more about this choke systems.

http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/

They have the replacement parts for the PowerPac. The person seemed very knowledgable and described what I have on one of my model 20's and other that I've seen on the net.

I'll hit them up next week and check back...

 

[6x6pinz]

Mine did not say powerpac on it. All it said was JC Higgins adjustable choke. It had the gap between the compensator area and the choke. I never had issues. The wads don't start to separate from the lead column for some time after leaving the barrel so I never was concerned about them handing up.

 

[Black Knight]

The choke sytem on the M20 I got from my Grandpa is what he called a Cutts Compensator. It has been cut down (removed the expansion chamber) and the piece that accepts the choke tube was welded to the barrel. I have used modern shells in it since I got it in the late 1970s and have not had any problems yet. I'm surprised to see how many still have a J.C. Higgins Model 20. As Andy Griffith might say, "It is a goood shotgun".

 

[ACESinKC]

Is this the one you're talking about?:

I haven't had any problems with mine, but I was pretty worried the first few times I shot it.

 

[melt]

Yup, thats the one...

Aces,

Thats the one I'm describing and concerned about....I have the other adjustable choke on a Model 20 I picked up yesterday and haven't shot.

This is the PowerPac design and it dosen't read anything on the choke except for "JC Higgins"-I don't have the PowerPac in front of me so don't hold me to it..There are oval shaped and longer ports in other PowerPac designs and apparently come in tapered and straight tube chokes...

But if you've shot modern loads through it, that's great.

My gunsmith told me that these are blazed on and if you want it off, it will take a minimum of 1100 degrees to get it off...

Thanks to everyone...Happy New Year!!

 

[CaptainChaos]

OK, Here's What *I* Got...

I have been shooting clays and PSG for a couple of years with my late father's gun and, at first, I used the M20 for clays *and* PSG. For clays, I used bog-standard 28g clays loads and for PSG either the same 28g loads or 32g "pigeon" loads; both were fibre-wad only.

The thing is, I'm now wondering if this was a safe thing to do. When I first used this gun, I was a bit leery of that gap between the end of the barrel and the start of the choke. Anyhoo, it worked OK but it's now been retired in favour of a Remington 870 Wingmaster (clays) and an 8-shot Ithaca M37 DSPS (PSG).

However, I intend to give the M20 to my cousin's son as a memento of my father but, due to concerns that I've read on-line, I am reconsidering this.

The two photos show the "normal" choke - which is marked "medium range" or something like that - and the "poly choke". As you can see from the photos, the fixed choke fits just fine.

I've been wondering whether that "poly choke" is intended for the M20 - the thread appears to be the same but, as you can see, when it's *fitted* it won't screw all the way home.

Can someone please advise me at to whether this choke *is* meant for the M20?

Regards,

Mark.

 

[melt]

Pump the brakes!!

Chaos....

The polychoke isn't intended for use with the PowePac-it needs it's own adapter to be fitted on the end of the barrel or its threaded in. I just bought both of the same guns, one with the polychoke and PowerPac. The PowerPac comes with three different chokes.

I'm going to call Lyman products today for clarification on both but in the meanwhile, Corlsons barrels could also answer your questions about both products.

 

[CaptainChaos]

Thanks, Melt. *That's* the info I was after.

I *figured* that the PolyChoke looked too ridiculous to be used as I've photographed it...

Regards,

Mark.

 

[melt]

Lyman returned my email, it reads;

"They were designed when fiber and cardboard wads were the norm in shotshell loadings".

So, now I need to find if anyone still makes the loads described.

 

[CaptainChaos]

Melt,

Fibre wads still *are* the norm, aren't? At least, *I* only shoot fibre unless I'm shooting buck or slug. Therefore, if my cousin's nipper only shoots birdshot and no plaswad, I assume that all be OK.

Regards,

Mark.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Not here,CC. Our ammo usually has plastic wads now.

Upside, the shot exists the bore in better shape.

Downside, a tighter pattern is not always better.

 

[melt]

So, what now...

Would anyone know, here in the states, who makes the shot shells that contain the fiber wads?

It would be a first for me because I've never not known anything but modern loads with the plastic shot wads.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CaptainChaos]

Well, I'll be mogadored! You learn something new every day.

I rather rashly assumed that the rule was "fibre only" pretty much all over for target and plaswads - if you *must* - for game. Mind you, I only shoot PSG with a little clays on the side.

When I started, a couple of years ago, I first went to a local(ish) clay ground at Fareham. Their rule is "fibre only". The first time I walked though their "sporting" area, I was aghast to see the ground *littered* with plaswads. As I understand it, the "serious" competition shooters use plaswad because they're cheaper and they shoot large numbers of rounds. However, I'm also told that the clay ground pick them up - somehow - and so you don't end up with the mess you'd expected.

So, d'you lot on the other side of the Pond pick up plaswads? Or is it simply a case of there being so much land that you don't really notice them?

Regards,

Mark.