Shotgun Choke Useage
I've been invited to do some skeet shooting at a private club. I have done some recreational shooting and lots of pheasant hunting but never got into proper choke useage. I have a Weatherby Sporting Clays shotgun, 12 ga, (o/u) and the following choke tubes:Mod; Imp Cyl; Sporting Clays #1; Sporting Clays #2; Skeet(SK) 5 dots; SKT-1 #725.My question is which of the skeet chokes goes in which barrel (upper/lower). Also, what combination should I use for doves and quail? I have been using the Modified and Improved Cylinder. Is there a preferred choice of barrels (upper/lower) for this. I'd like to put my best foot forward and not embarrass my host. Would appreciate any info anyone can provide. Many thanks - DaddyJohn
0
-
For Skeet- Open and more open. Generally the bottom barrel is fired first (it has to do with recoil and muzzle jump).
The choke tube you have been using are fine. A trip to the pattern board will open your eyes as to the difference in chokes. Here evenness of pattern with whatever shell you're using is more important than choke constriction.
The distance your game is likely to be shot at (shooting over pointing vs. flushing dogs) will determined choke.
Your mileage may vary.
"Every time a system is made foolproof - a new class of fool emerges."
Prod Harris
"If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."0 -
Bottom barrel 1st, and use the more open of the 2 choke tubes in it. I use the the same chokes(Imp. cyl. & Mod) for quail, dove, and pheasant. If the dove are flying high I'll use an Imp. Mod. or Full. For skeet, depends how quick you are, I use skeet and imp.cyl.
"Aim small, Miss small"0 -
I'm probably the odd man out, for skeet I used Cyl/Cyl with 1oz of #9 at 1150fps
For short course clays I mainly stayed with the same load but bumped up to IC/SK on the chokes
Mid range clays I bumped up to 1 1/8oz of #8 at 1200fps and Mod/IC
I never shot a long range clays course.
Trap at 16yd I used Mod with #7 1/2 or IM with my skeet loads. At 27yd I stayed with the IM tube but used the 7 1/2's.
On game I guess how there going to flush that day (close/far) and choose chokes/shells accordinly (and I don't always guess it right [:I])
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Thank you all for the replies! I agree with Alpine - a trip to the pattern board is required - unfortunately Sunday is the skeet day. But I will make the trip and check out all the patterns. So, based on your replies, for skeet I will use the two labeled SK & SKT-1. The more open one in the bottom barrel. For live birds, I'll keep using the Mofified & Imp Cyl as I was and TRAPP55 is. Tailgunner's comments are informative if and when I get into more & more clay target shooting. A good reference. I will keep these comments in my shooting case for reference at any time. Once again, many thanks for your input. I'll post a results note after my debut!! 0 -
quote:On game I guess how there going to flush that day (close/far) and choose chokes/shells accordinly (and I don't always guess it right )
DJ, Thats about the best short answer there is! Use 1oz+ loads of 9's for the skeet, it'll improve the odds.[;)]
"Aim small, Miss small"0 -
if at all posible, put the same chokes in both bbls. remember, the game changes 1/2 way around the course. everything that was coming at you becomes going away. keeping same chokes makes for a less confusing game. if i had more time to explain, i would! have fun! 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
6 comments