Convince me of the error of my ways

J

JamesM

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I've got a nearly mint condition late 70's production ithaca 37 12 guage with the standard full choke. I'm taking it to a smith to see if it can be reamed and threaded for thin wall chokes, to make shooting #3 and 4 steel shot safer.
If it can't the barrel is getting cut back to either 26 or 24" and a new fiber optic sight is going on it. Whats wrong with this train of thought?
 
Shooting large steel shot through an older fixed choke gun is generally not a good idea. It can lead to a bulged barrel.

If the gun can't be fitted with suitable thin-wall chokes I'd suggest just reaming the full choke out to modified choke instead of chopping it. It the barrel is chopped it becomes a cylinder choke and IMO it's better to have some choke in the gun as opposed to none at all.
 
Ithacas cannot handle steel even with the choke bored out.(from a list years ago) Don't screw up a nice gun trying, just pick up an 870 or something.
 
I would just ream the choke out to modified and call that good enough for most purposes.
 
Claybuster said:
Shooting large steel shot through an older fixed choke gun is generally not a good idea. It can lead to a bulged barrel.

If the gun can't be fitted with suitable thin-wall chokes I'd suggest just reaming the full choke out to modified choke instead of chopping it. It the barrel is chopped it becomes a cylinder choke and IMO it's better to have some choke in the gun as opposed to none at all.
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Sounds like good advice to me.
 
My buddy shoots a old reamed out ithaca. 10 years of steel and still going strong.

i don't think they are all that valuable as there are many of these out there. Fine guns they are, but might as well take her out for some sun, no point in trying to keep it as a safe queen.
 
Have the forcing cone measured and possibly lengthened. Think of it as the first 'choke' that the shot has to go through.

The Open Cylinder barrel will work fine for ducks over decoys. I've an Auto-V barrel like that and it's deadly.

What kind of waterfowl hunting and style do you do? Passing geese or teal over decoys?
 
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.
 
sherlockbonez said:
My buddy shoots a old reamed out ithaca. 10 years of steel and still going strong.
Click to expand...

I have a buddy that drinks and drives all the time and has for years. He is also still going strong. Does it mean that what he is doing is safe? Not at all!! It just means he is lucky.

Your buddy has been lucky and good for him, I hope he never has a failure due to steel shot through his full choke.

The real experts, i.e., trained gunsmiths, shotshell manufacturers and shotgun manufacturers are who I would listen to and so far they tend to suggest or even warn against using steel shot through full chokes.
 
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