Choke question regarding my Izh43 20 gauge

Jim870

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I have a new to me 20 gauge Baikal IZH43 that unfortunately didn't receive all the due care it deserved and has a choke tube seized in the barrel, I haven't exhausted my bag of tricks yet, but my question is would the factory modified choke be safe to run steel through? I see the other factory chokes with it are stamped lead and I am wondering if that stands for lead only or if its to designate that the choke pattern that way with lead?
 
Good old diesel soaking for a week or so loosens most. That choke could have been seized by the use of large steel shot in the first place. I think factory 20 bore steel stops at #2 but I could be wrong and someone could have reloaded larger shot.

Darryl
 
The Baikal chokes are designated for lead or steel. The lead chokes are the non-extended style. The steel chokes are the extended type, with the extra full constriction corresponding to a modified lead constriction. Given that the taper is less for the extended choke, using the lead modified for steel may be marginal.
On a brighter note, my Baikal over and under showed a fair mount of rust in the choke threads when I got it. I had to work to get it out the first time. Needless to say, I make sure the choke tubes are always well lubed with light oil.
 
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Diesel oil has been mentioned, but what about some Ed's Red??
Take a heat gun to her .. enough heat to draw that mixture up into the fine crevice of the rust in the threads.
Otherwise its going to be a one choke of choice.
Rob
 
Good old diesel soaking for a week or so loosens most. That choke could have been seized by the use of large steel shot in the first place. I think factory 20 bore steel stops at #2 but I could be wrong and someone could have reloaded larger shot.

Darryl

It is getting a diesel bath starting tomorrow. I don't think it saw any steel shot, the previous owner bought it new and used it for ground swatting ruffed grouse. I had/have plans to use it for upland and waterfowl, so it looks like I am on the hunt for some steel shot compatible chokes for it.
 
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