Cracked/Split Choke Tube??

DIGGER2

DIGGER2

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Hello fellow CGN'ers, I have a 1 year old Beretta AL391 3" Optima Plus Choke shotgun with low round count (maybe 300rds) and while cleaning it for a upcoming hunt I noticed that something didn't look right at the choke tube end. So I removed the choke, which was very tight at first and to my surprise it is split straight down the side. Now the last time it was out was a couple of weeks ago and I was testing out my new Patternmaster Black Cloud choke with Federal Black Cloud Ammo. I tested this choke for pattern against my Optima Plus Mod, and Full chokes. The choke that split was the Optima Plus full. The barrel looked ok and I put in my Mod choke in with no problems, so my question is why did my choke tube split?? I always check the chokes for tightness and they only fired 4rds for each test fire. Any ideas??

Thanks Scott
 
i may be wrong but I thought black cloud was steel shot with a unique shape and it is not recommended to put steel shot through any choke tighter than a modified choke tube as it will not deform or compress. On my chokes tighter than modified it is stamped "not for steel". I am glad your other choke tubes still thread in nicely.
 
So reading my owners manual it states that my choke is supposed to be steel proof because it is stamped "SP", but was also "not recommended" as well due to possible blown patterns. I kinda agree with Earl that maybe to much constriction was created and with the different pellets in a Black cloud shell somehow fractured the choke, but I thought they were a little tougher than that. I guess it's a $80 oops. But it patterened not to bad.
 
I just had a box of the black cloud in my hands at Can Tire 20 min ago. I decided to stick with the all reliable Kent Fasteel up at North Pro Sports. I shoot my steel out of a "Steel Proof" full choke too but in a Rem 11-87. I have about 200 steel (some 3 1/2" mag) and 400 lead through that choke with no probs yet. Maybe I will stay away from that black cloud until some more usage reports come in.
 
It's a faulty choke. If the Black Cloud load split that choke it would have ringed the barrel too. I would take it back and get a replacement. I would also imagine the choke would have seized if the steel load popped it. Thank god that you noticed it before further shooting damaged the barrel threads.

regards Uncle Wally
 
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