Rifled chokes,,,, ?

Polar_Hunter said:
I'm wondering if they work as advertised or if the idea is just another gimmick. Has anyone here tested one to see if it is actually better than a smooth bore?
Click to expand...

I have been using one and don't see a big improvement. But it does not hurt. It does change the point of impact. Not a big deal if you have adjustable sights. A real big deal if just using a bead.

I do find some brands of slugs work better in my gun than others. So with or without the rifled choke, try 2 a 3 brands and go with whatever your gun prefers.

The centre pair of targets used a Rifled choke, and groups are slightly better. Modified choke on left pair and Imp. Cyl on right pair.

IMG_2392.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks Ganderite, if I can get your results I'll be quite happy. After thinking it over a bit (and doing some research) I decided to try making a Paradox Gun with parts on hand. Hope to try it out on the weekend.

https://youtu.be/lVLqNrvk4A4

BTW,,,, I get down your way a couple time a year. We should get together for coffee some time.
 
Polar_Hunter said:
Thanks Ganderite, if I can get your results I'll be quite happy. After thinking it over a bit (and doing some research) I decided to try making a Paradox Gun with parts on hand. Hope to try it out on the weekend.

https://youtu.be/lVLqNrvk4A4

BTW,,,, I get down your way a couple time a year. We should get together for coffee some time.
Click to expand...

First time out with the my custom Paradox 20,,,,

 
If you can get your hands on several different brands of plain rifled slugs, you may want to try just that before buying a rifled choke. I had a Browning BPS that would shoot a ragged one hole group at 50 yards with a cyl choke and Federal TruBall slugs. I seriously doubt there is anything I could have done to improve on that - my fully rifled 870 and Savage 220 don't do a helluva lot better. The 220 is more accurate at 100+ yards, though, whereas the BPS would open up considerably at that range. I didn't try the 870 at 100 or over.
 
While I am very happy with my first results with regards to accuracy, I am concerned with the plastic fouling of the rifling when shooting the sabot slugs. Is this a common problem with factory made rifled shotgun barrels?
 
farmer47 said:
interesting . the slugs that were designed for rifled barrels did not perform all that well while the slug designed for a smooth bore improved in the rifled choke. i have fired slugs designed for a rifled barrel through a rifled choke with poor results as they key holed. i am not convinced that there is any benefit but admittedly did not test a variety of ammunition.
Click to expand...


Shotgun slugs stabilise in one of two different ways. The first type are front-weighted, like a badminton bird. If they are fired through a rifled choke (a 1:35 twist) they pick up a little rotation and the accuracy should improve slightly.

The other types are basically big fat rifle bullets wrapped in a plastic sabot. Like any other rifle bullet, they need a lot of rotation from a rifled barrel. Passing through a smooth bore, or a smooth bore with a rifled choke won't give the bullet enough rotation to stabilise.

My recent testing tells me that at 25 yards any conventional slug in a smoothbore is accurate enough. For 50 yards, I would prefer to put it through a rifled choke. For beyond 50, I would want sabot rounds through a rifles barrel.
 
Last edited:
Is there a 20GA single shot on the market with interchangeable chokes and accepts scope mounts? That article got me thinking, grouse, rabbit, turkey, deer, all-in-one affordable package
 
Last edited:
I have found the slugs like challengers and if you can find them Remington buckhammer slugs that have a portion of plastic attached to the rear of the slug seem to perform well from rifled choke tubes. The extended plastic base adds length to the projectile which engages the short length of rifling longer and imparts better stabilizing spin. Will usually give minute of deer groups (3-4") to about 100yrds.
Good luck testing....it's cruel and unusual punishment!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom