choke for 00 Buck

[reeler]

i own a Rem 870 Express Magnum with a modified choke. Want to try shooting some Buckshot. Will i be ok firing some 2 3/4 or 3" 00 Buckshot out of it????
any risk of damage to gun or choke?????

 

[B]

Chokes are made for shot, you will be fine with any size. Steel shot is the only thing you have to worry about. Have fun.

 

[reeler]

B,
what do i have to be worried about with the steel shot???

 

[canucklehead]

Well, with a Mod choke, nothing!

The problem is full chokes and steel. Steel can't compress/deform like lead, so if steel is pushed through too small of a hole (ie: really tight choke!), the barrel will sometimes yield before the shot and may bulge the barrel.

But as mentioned, shooting any lead in any modern shotgun with ANY choke will be no problem. If shooting steel through a full choke tube, make sure the tube is rated for steel. Steel through any more open chokes will be no problem.

 

[reeler]

thanks fellas,

looking forward to punching some holes with some buckshot!!!!!!!

 

[guntech]

B,
what do i have to be worried about with the steel shot???

You might get a better pattern with a more open choke but your modified will work.

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.

 

[guninhand]

guntech wrote
"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."

Then if I have a "Full " steel choke screwed on, what would be the equivalent choke size for lead?

 

[Waterfowler]

You want awesome buckshot patterns......get a Patternmaster choke.