It's been may experience working in gun shops for 35 yrs that swaged chokes don't do well with steel shot . I have a corner in the back of the shop where many bbl's have ended up as scrap . Yes everyone shoots all types of old full choke shotguns with steel but in this corner there are . Model 12's a5"s cooeys cil and many other manufactures . Its s crap shoot you may get away with shooting steel for ever or the next round may be the one that cause's the bulge or the burst .
16 gauge for waterfowl
- Thread starter Dfbshaw
- Start date
I’m with Struff on this one. Shooting steel out a full choke is just asking for trouble.
As far as what your gun patterns like, remember that modern shot shell construction, with the shot fully enclosed in a shot cup, tends to throw tighter patterns than your gun was designed and choked to produce. As someone who shoots vintage shotguns exclusively, if I wanted to shoot steel occasionally and use the gun as you have described, I wouldn’t hesitate to open both barrels to at least Mod.
It is likely the gun will still throw patterns tight enough to handle just about all duck and pheasant shooting opportunities.
BTW, be careful about surmising what the choke is either by any stamping or by a single bore measurement. Choke measurement is the difference between the bore and the chokes. Very possible over the life of that gun that barrel honing has taken place. A measurement of .632 actually confirms very little about what the chokes are. A differential of .035 (or some similar number) would be much more instructive.
As far as what your gun patterns like, remember that modern shot shell construction, with the shot fully enclosed in a shot cup, tends to throw tighter patterns than your gun was designed and choked to produce. As someone who shoots vintage shotguns exclusively, if I wanted to shoot steel occasionally and use the gun as you have described, I wouldn’t hesitate to open both barrels to at least Mod.
It is likely the gun will still throw patterns tight enough to handle just about all duck and pheasant shooting opportunities.
BTW, be careful about surmising what the choke is either by any stamping or by a single bore measurement. Choke measurement is the difference between the bore and the chokes. Very possible over the life of that gun that barrel honing has taken place. A measurement of .632 actually confirms very little about what the chokes are. A differential of .035 (or some similar number) would be much more instructive.
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SHOTGUN BARREL ALTERATIONS FOR STEEL SHOT
Forcing Cone Alteration:
Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.
Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.
Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.
For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
I always preferred a more open choke for pheasant and partridge hunting, improved cylinder was great...
Forcing Cone Alteration:
Factory shotgun barrels usually have a fairly short and abrupt forcing cone. The forcing cone is the tapered area just ahead of the chamber where the shell is contained. Altering the forcing cone, so it is one and one half or two inches in length, reduces recoil and improves the pattern density. Trap shooters and skeet shooters have been doing this for many years. It is a good benefit to the steel shot user as well.
Choke Alteration:
Choke designation from the tightest to the most open are:
Extra Full, Full, Improved Modified, Modified, Skeet II, Improved Cylinder, Skeet I, and Cylinder Bore.
Steel shot does not require the constriction that lead shot needs, to produce good patterns. In fact too much constriction, causes poor, erratic patterns, and in some cases, permanently damages the barrel. I have seen barrels bulged at the choke, I have seen barrels where the choke split right open, from using steel shot.
For steel shot, with thin barrels, chokes should be altered to at least Skeet II. Often, over & under, and side-by-side shotguns, are best altered to Skeet I and Skeet II chokes. Heavier barrels can be left at Modified choke but may see an improvement in the pattern if opened slightly.
I always preferred a more open choke for pheasant and partridge hunting, improved cylinder was great...
Thanks again everyone for your knowledge and wisdom. I think ill stop in at the LGS and speak with the gunsmith. The Ithaca 37 that is coming my way at "full choke" stamped on it as well. Maybe see if he can do both shotguns at once.
Any one know how long a job it is and maybe the typical price for such a service?
Any one know how long a job it is and maybe the typical price for such a service?
I have always sent my 16ga shotguns to briley in the US for choke tube installation including an ithaca 37. There was no one in canada could do a 16ga
I am not sure if that is the work you want to get done or not
Cheers
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Gobles Guns in southern Ontario opened a choke for me. It was a Winchester Model 1200 16 gauge. Opened to Improved Cylinder from Full. Work was 75.00 and the tax plus shipping each way run it up to about 135.00. Good work and recommended. They were the only shop I could find that had the right size reamer for 16 gauge. Turn around time was under two weeks.
Darryl
