Adjustable Chokes (Polychoke, Savage etc.) and steel shot

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Beadwindow

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Hi fellows!

Recently I've come across a number of pump shotguns in the EE with older style adjustable chokes such as the Polychoke or Savage Adjustable choke.

These would be far better for most of my upland hunting than the typical full choked pump or single shot, or full/modified choked SxS.

How about for waterfowl? An older full choked shotgun isn't too great for most steel shot applications, so I'm wondering if these chokes could handle steel. I'd probably be shooting nothing larger than BB, or probably #2 from an improved cylinder, or at most, modified setting.

I'm getting several friends into hunting, and am looking for decent, spare guns that I can lend them or later sell to them at cost. I recall as a teenager being stuck with a full choked pump shotgun in the bush, and my inability to hit any grouse or woodcock on the fly. And when steel shot first came in, the full choked gun was no longer all that effective in the duck blind either.

With Regards,

Frank
 
They would work well for waterfowl. Use the MOD setting with high speed steel #2's. I would pattern the guns at other settings you may find that IMP CYL or other settings may give better patterns. They are bargain priced and offer lots of use in the field.

regards, Darryl
 
Some of those older adjustable chokes DO NOT work well with steel. Not so much dangerous on mod or IC but steel will cause them to seize. Others seem to work okay.
 
I've used a polychoke with steel for years....patterns real well up to an imp. mod setting.

One of the guys at our club uses an old pump with a polychoke for clays...he consistantly kicks everyones butt :) I guess being able to go from a true cyl bore up to a stupid tight choke with the turn of the wrist has it's advantages.
 
Thanks fellows,

These are the kinds of answers I'm looking for. I'm going to be checking out a shotgun with a Savage Adjustable Choke. Perhaps I'll send an email to Savage to ask about whether they'd consider it safe with steel. At least it does not look as though I'll be launching any choke device down range if I keep to #2 shot and a fairly open choke for decoying waterfowl. And if the choke does seize up at that setting, the gun would still be good for upland hunting.

With Regards,

Frank
 
I have a 12g Savage with the choke,... its actually called the Savage "super-choke" I have fired rounds from it since the 90's and have not had a problem. I have had it set to the minimum and haven't hit a thing :) I guess it all depends on the ammo, but when I shot it I couldn't hit anything.

I when to a straight bore shotgun, and stored the Savage.
 
Jasontheterrible said:
I have a 12g Savage with the choke,... its actually called the Savage "super-choke" I have fired rounds from it since the 90's and have not had a problem. I have had it set to the minimum and haven't hit a thing :) I guess it all depends on the ammo, but when I shot it I couldn't hit anything.

I when to a straight bore shotgun, and stored the Savage.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. So I presume that it's steel shotshells that you've fired from the gun? And if so, what size shot have you fired through it? If it's steel that you've been using, it sounds as though the "super-choke" will be good for both upland and waterfowl hunting.

Regards,

Frank
 
From what I remember, I think it was about #4-6, not sure seeing as I haven't fired it in years.

My recommendation would be to try to obtain a few shells of what you would like to shoot, and set up a sheet of plywood and do a scatter test at about 40+ feet.
 
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