Pedersoli Shotgun Fixed Choke Size

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

I finally picked up my first BP shotgun, a new to me (From 1979) Pedersoli 12 Gauge SXS (Percussion). It does not have removable choke tubes. There are no choke markings on the barrel. Both barrels are marked "18,3" which I believe simply indicates the nominal ID of the barrel (0.72")

In order to determine if the barrels are choked I measured the end if the barrels with calipers. Neither barrel is perfectly round of course, and I measure one with a range of 0.70 ... 0.71 and the other slightly larger with a range of 0.705 ...0.716.

Do you think that indicates the intentional sizing of one barrel with a "Skeet" choke and one with an "Improved Cylinder" choke? I expected them to both be "Cylinder Bore" very close to 0.720".

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Cylinder bore is .729"

Skeet 1 is .724"
Improved cylinder is .720"
Modified is .710"
Improved Modified is .704
Full is .694"

Get the full specs on all the gauges at this webpage: http://www.colonialarms.com/chokespecs.html

The muzzles not being perfectly round may be owing to Italian workmanship (let the dealer handle that.)

Pedersoli would usually promote the shotgun as being Improved Cylinder & Modified, but the actual measurement sometimes differs. Might have been a "Monday-Friday" gun at the factory. :banghead:

The problem with having a choked muzzle loader is having to use felt wads, four or five for each load. The felt wad has "give" to pass the choke.

Card & cushion wads by Circle Fly cannot easily pass a modified choke barrel.

Its a choice between paying $15 for 1000 Circle Fly wads vs $12 for 100 Ox Yoke felt wads. Just depends how much you shoot the gun.

The first felt wad is the over-powder wad, then two, three, or four more create the cushion wad, the another for the over-shot wad. The Circle Fly wads, however, are less likely to shift in the barrel when carrying.

Hope this helps.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Thanks for the info, and I agree if the barrel actually was .729 but I'm working under the premise that the choke diameter is only relevant in relation to the barrel diameter.

I've heard 13 gauge wads fit the tight Pedersoli barrels better.

 

[rodwha]

I like to punch my own wads and get my felt from Duro-felt. For a cushion wad would a want maybe a medium or soft felt instead of the hard I use in my pistols and rifle?

 

[swathdiver]

Those older guns were 13 gauge and many were just plain cylinder bore. If yours weighs under 6lbs you've got a beauty, at least for me, they shoulder great!

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Those older guns were 13 gauge and many were just plain cylinder bore. If yours weighs under 6lbs you've got a beauty, at least for me, they shoulder great!

Yes Sir, She weighs in right between 5 1/2 and 6 lbs.
If I would have known how graceful this thing would be to wield I never would have waited so long to grab one.

 

[Crawdad1]

Those older fixed choked Pedersoli shotguns are a dream in the field. Beautiful wood on them also. Good find!!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Usually you can guesstimate the choke from Pedersoli on a fixed choke shotgun. If the barrel is 12 gauge, and 28" or longer, they are often Cylinder bore (right) and modified choked (left). If it's less than 26", it's probably cylinder and cylinder and meant for shooting slugs or buckshot for deer... the most modern version of this has a rear sight, but in the 1970's may not.

LD