Screw In vs Jug Choke

[vincyr]

I cut down my Rossi 20 gauge to 18.5". It handles so much nicer now, but it isn't doing the job on squirrels anymore. I need to tighten the pattern up a little more for the bushytails. I looked into getting the muzzle tapped for choke tubes, but that will end up costing me more than the gun did. I recently learned about "jug" choking(reaming a section of barrel back from the muzzle to a larger dia.) and after looking into it, it looks like something I might be able to do myself. Just looking for some pros/cons of either option.

 

[Hunterdad]

Wouldn't "jugging" just open your pattern up even more?

 

[vincyr]

Wouldn't "jugging" just open your pattern up even more?

This seemed to be a matter of confusion in a couple of the things I have read. One or two places referred to "jugging" as reaming out existing choke, but most of the time, it seems to refer to reaming out a section of barrel 1-2" back from the muzzle. this allows the shot column to expand for a stretch before being constricted again prior to exiting the barrel.
Apparently, this is one of the better options for muzzleloading shotguns, because it doesn't make it harder to load, like a traditional constricted choke would. And I saw several references to this being done with old military shotguns when they were sold off.

 

[oneounceload]

If you take too much out, you now have a weak spot in the barrel.
If you do not get it centered properly, you could cause the patterns to be even worse.
A decent smith should be able to thread both barrels for about $125 or so

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, jug choking will help.

(See page #3 for details)
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/learn/Inst-543.pdf

But not much.

It's been my experience that, at best, you might be able to get Imp Cyl, or very weak Mod patterns out of it.
But that was playing with a brake cylinder hone, and not a real barrel reamer.
(They cost more then your shotgun probably did too!)

rc

 

[PapaG]

I have jug, or recess choked several guns, two with a,homemade expansion dreamer and one by recess boring on a lathe. I got I.C. with the reamer and mod on the lathe.
Neither was easy. I have tried the remedy on a stick, brake cylinder hones and assorted other gimmicks. None worked. You gotta remove real metal, not polish it.

 

[vincyr]

Related question. Would the jug choke be safe with slugs? Logic would suggest that combo not being the best idea, but I was curious as to what the actual word on the subject was. I saw several references to shooting patched RB in muzzleloaders through jug choked barrels( not quite the same, I know) a few people stating that it wasn't safe, and then this.

http://books.google.com/books?id=j0...gBMAk#v=onepage&q=jug choke and slugs&f=false

From Gunsmithing: Shotguns, by Patrick Sweeney. This book states that jug chokes don't cause any issues with slugs. I was wondering if anyone else had heard anything in regards to that.

 

[rcmodel]

Perfectly fine.

Forster type rifled slugs are very soft lead, they have vanes molded in the sides to give excess lead a place to go through any degree or type of choke.

There are NO Warnings on a box of rifled slugs saying you can't use them in any type of choke.

And there would be if there was any chance of problems.

rc

 

[Uniquedot]

A jug choke properly done can turn a cylinder bore into an extra full gun with the proper loads, but it takes skill or a whole lotta luck to properly jug a barrel. If you are going to try to do it yourself you really should practice on the length of barrel you cut off first. As far as slugs go...I'm not sure whether they would cause problems or not. When I collected and used muzzleloading shotguns I never shot anything other than traditional and modern shot columns or patched balls in them.