What do do with shotgun with weaver choke

[andrewdl007]

I've got a great old 1148 that was my dad's first gun and my first as well. It's a fun little 20 gauge but it has a Weaver choke and the only choke we have is full. I've looked at buying other chokes for it but they're expensive as I recall. I want to start shooting the gun again, should I buy chokes for the weaver, put on a different choke system, or try to get a new barrel? What would you do?

 

[rcmodel]

I would send the barrel to Carlson's and have choke tubes installed.

http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-installation.php

rc

 

[andrewdl007]

I would send the barrel to Carlson's and have choke tubes installed.

http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-installation.php

rc

That sounds like a good idea. Have you had a good experience with Carlson's and getting choke tubes installed?

 

[mio]

I'm confused you have a 20ga in full choke what would you ever want another choke for? Competitive skeet shooting? You grouse hunt over a dog? Those are the only 2 reasons I would ever change the choke in any of my 20s.

 

[bearman49709]

Mio: not everyone likes full choke, I can't remember the last time I used one other than in a .410. For grouse I use cyl,skeet or imp cyl.

 

[243winxb]

Pattern the shotgun first. Just because its marked full, doesnt mean it is. Plus, different shells/shot sizes will pattern differently.

 

[rcmodel]

I'm confused you have a 20ga in full choke what would you ever want another choke for?

Probably because he has one of these hanging off the end of it now!!



And 99% of hunters would kill 80% more game with a more open choke then a Full on a 20 ga!!

Or any other gage.

rc

 

[morcey2]

If you really want to frustrate new shooters, give them anything with a full choke. To add to what rc said, more game is injured because of too tight of a choke than too open. Other than turkeys or maybe varmints, I can't think of a reason to go with a full choke.

And as 243wxb said, pattern it first. One of my favorite guns growing up was my grandpa's 12 gauge (I think it was a Model 12) marked as full choke, but it patterned like a light modified choke. He would never give us a straight answer but I'm pretty sure that he had it opened up after he bought it.

If it is definitely giving full patterns, send it to Carlsons for tubes. I haven't had anything done by them, but I know several people who have and they've been very happy with the service.

ETA: Also, prior to the introduction of modern wads and the prevalence of softer shot, a full choked gun would shoot a much larger pattern than the same gun with a modern wad and hard shot.

Matt

 

[loose noose]

Well RC I finally have to disagree with you, The 20ga. with a full choke is good for partridge in the cedars back in Wisconsin, cottontail rabbits, pheasant, and duck (before lead was banned). Believe me I shot quite a few with my full choked Iver Johnson Champion, as well as my full choked Ithaca pump, when I was a mere kid growing up back there.

 

[Jim Watson]

Corson's has Weaver Choke tubes for $40.
Anything else besides just cutting it off behind the threads and going cylinder would be much more expensive.
Unfortunately they do not have 20 ga Modified, but IM and/or IC will work.

http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/weaverchokes.htm

 

[oneounceload]

Never had any use for a full choke for anything except long trap shots in a Custer shoot-off; certainly never for any bird. As mentioned, pattern it first to see what results you truly get with it before spending even more money on that old gun

 

[Esoxchaser]

Since the outlawing of lead shot for waterfowl, other than turkey I only use a full choke for knocking clays out of the air at distances I would never shoot at game with. Rabbits, timberdoodles, grouse, pheasants, the most choke I ever use is modified, but usually IC..