Dominion Arms Grizzly-MAG Shotgun - 12.5

Was just about to post a thread about this, then found this one. Picked up a 12.5 Grizzly Mag recently and only noticed today that it was threaded for a choke. I'll probably be buying a longer barrel eventually for hunting purposes, but I was wondering- does anyone have any experience using a 12.5 with something like a full choke? I wonder if that might me workable for hunting some small game, and for that matter, is it safe? Seems like using a full choke in such a short barrel would create a lot of pressure- but I could be wrong about that. I'm totally new to shotguns.

Most "experts" that I've seen talk on the subject claim that chokes make much more difference to pattern spread than barrel length. I'm sure that a longer barrel is easier to aim accurately than a 12 inch, but in terms of pattern, I'm curious if a tighter choke in a 12 inch might really make small game hunting a reasonable prospect. The brush around here is quite thick, so the idea of hauling a 28 inch barrel around doesn't sound too appealing.

I haven't seen any first-hand accounts of using chokes in anything shorter than a 18.5 inch.
Anyone have any experience in this area?
 
I thought that sub 18.5" approved shotguns can't wear barrels longer than 18.5 inches?

Where in the hell did you hear that? Not only is it not true - it doesn't make any sense! You can use any barrel length you like... as long as it's not cut down below 18". Manufactured below 18" is fine.

Also - for Electo guy - full choke in a 12.5" barrel is fine. As noted, barrel length and choke have no relationship - longer barrels are easier to swing smoothly on moving targets (and have slightly higher velocity), but short barrels should pattern the same as long barrel with the same choke.
 
Not like Saiga. Grizzly mags slide straight in, like an Ar mag. Saiga rock in like AK or Valtro mags.
 
I had a backpacker cut for chokes. The gophers didn't like my turkey choke at all.

At 50m a 2 3/4 no. 6 shell would pepper an area about 30" in Diam. At 25m it's roughly basketball sized.

I am of the opinion that a longer barrel length has no ability to tighten patterns by itself. If anything, increased velocity should increase the spread of spherical projectiles.

Chokes have a HUGE impact on shot spread though. The same gun with a cylinder bore choke scatters the same no.6 shell across 6-8' at 50m. But it's a trade off. All loads will not react the same to a given choke. You'll have to do some pattern testing to see what ammo/choke combinations are best.

One also needs to consider that you cannot safely use all ammo in all chokes. For example, a slug or a 12ga flare through a turker choke = DISASTER.

If I was only going to run a single choke on a "tactical" or 3-gun shotgun I would use Carlson's ported, extended "Light Modified" choke with a backbored chamber. (Lengthened forcing cone)

I have fired 00 and slugs out of this combo to good effect. The gradual, slight constriction worked well and gave good no. 4 shot patterns at 25m. More constriction than this and I wouldn't want to try and cram a slug through it. Less constriction and my buckshot patterns open up a little.

These 12.5" Grizzlies come with a modified choke, so I am certain that someone has fired slugs though it.

Has accuracy been aceptable inside 50m?

I have a backbored 14" HP-9 that will shoot 12" slug groups at 100m through an LM choke.
 
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