Practical Shotgun - Choke Tubes? Compensators?

[BrianS]

I recently purchased a Remington 1100 Tactical 12 ga. with a 22" barrel. Besides home defense I want to use this gun in some 2 Gun and Practical matches around my area.

I was considering adding an Al's Custom compensator which would increase the barrel length and allow for a longer magazine extension. These come with custom made Rem Chokes.

What choke size is most common for these types of events? I was thinking Full but have no reference.

Anyone have an Al's Custom compensator, or another brand?

Thanks!

 

[Zak Smith]

It's going to depend on the rules of the match. For the vast majority of 3-Gun / Multi-Gun matches, have any sort of ports or comp will put you into the Open division.

Many matches restrict non-Open shotguns to a capacity of 9 total in the gun, including, if I remember correctly, USPSA. Some of them had a rule that the tube couldn't be longer than the barrel, which couldn't be longer than 22".

For 3Gun stuff, I almost always use IC or M chokes. People tend to miss very short range clays/steel more often than they miss longer range targets (because they forget to aim). The most common shot size I see is 6-7.5, but at matches that allow it, it's also common for people to bring some 4 buck for steel that's set hard to knock over.

 

[BrianS]

Thanks Zak - that helps!

 

[sargenv]

Actually, USPSA never had a barrel length restriction. IMG and Mystery Mountain go by their own rules and sometimes had barrel length restrictions. USPSA only restricts guns to 9 rounds for Limited/Tactical and 11 rounds for Open. Comps and ports will put you into open. I'd go with Improved cylinder choke for most of my loads and check my zero with slugs using that choke. I use S&B slugs in my Browning Gold and use a modified choke for just the slugs since they fit through it with finger pressure, a slight friction fit, maybe .001" oversized. Otherwise they would go through the improved cylinder with too much wiggle room.

It's true that 7.5 is common, I use 6's in my 20 gauge since it can't make the velocity of the 12 gauge and the 6's will give it a little more punch. Some people do use #4 buck for longer distance steel, but most of the stuff around the bay area and the valley is pretty close and set so a minor pistol load will take them down. Most people get cases of Rio's, Winchesters, or Federals, whatever is the cheapest 3 1/4 - 1 ounce load or 3 - 1 1/8 ounce load.

Vince

 

[BrianS]

I bought a Al's Custom Compensator with an IC choke tube. The comp extends 5" from the end of the barrel taking my 22" Tactical 1100 out to 27". Now I can run a 10 round mag tube for open two gun stuff without blowing the end of it off.

Depending on the rules at different events I always have the option of removing the comp or installing the 8 round mag tube.

Al's Custom also makes additional Rem chokes for his compensator if I find I need a different pattern. I'm also adding a TruGlo adjustable sight, Side Saddle, and a DWM Easy Loader. It should be a fun gun!