fixed choke barrels

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rkr

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wondering what do you think about barrels with fixed chokes? I intend to hunt mostly ducks, pheasants, grouse and goose. I'd try some pigeons or trap shooting as well but I'm not sure if a fixed choke would be a good idea.
 
Fixed chokes are just fine. For your suggested uses an Improved Cylinder or Modified choke will suffice. Fixed Full chokes are about best at trap shooting (not skeet to be clear) and turkey hunting. Steel shot usually does not pattern well through fixed full chokes. An old saying goes, " Full choke will lengthen your range and lighten your bag" it is much easier to connect with a more open pattern at legitimate ranges. Steel shot will often cause a fixed choke to shoot one choke tighter patterns (not always) so Improved Cylinder with steel shot can approach Modified.

Darryl
 
I know the shooting generation today believes a gun without choke tubes is useless but they are not necessary. If you want them, fine, but a gun without them will still get the job done.
I take it you may be considering looking at a used gun? If buying new I think 95% of the guns will have screw in chokes.
 
rkr said:
wondering what do you think about barrels with fixed chokes? I intend to hunt mostly ducks, pheasants, grouse and goose. I'd try some pigeons or trap shooting as well but I'm not sure if a fixed choke would be a good idea.
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The nice thing is, you can get a good deal on an older fixed choke gun, and then take it to a decent gunsmith and have it threaded for chokes. This gets lots more use out of an older gun. The benefits are, most older fixed choke guns you'll find are full or mod choke, which means there's usually enough wall thickness in the barrel to machine threads into.

My father gave me an older Win 1500 XTR semi, which was great for waterfowl, but once it was threaded, it became good for all kinds of shooting sports.

Typical cost is $90 per barrel, plus whatever you want to spend on chokes.
 
gunsaholic said:
I know the shooting generation today believes a gun without choke tubes is useless but they are not necessary. If you want them, fine, but a gun without them will still get the job done.
I take it you may be considering looking at a used gun? If buying new I think 95% of the guns will have screw in chokes.
Click to expand...

it's an older model with a modified choke. I plan on using mostly steel shots and wasn't sure how good would be for waterfowl and upland. I'm new to this sport and don't want to spend too much while still learning.
 
I would take an older gun with a fixed mod choke any day . for a waterfowl gun as most I have seen shoot steel with out issues to the gun or pattern . mod will work great with lead for pheasant .grouse and trap too . an other option for $60 - $75 most smiths will ream the choke to what ever constriction you desire .
 
rkr said:
it's an older model with a modified choke. I plan on using mostly steel shots and wasn't sure how good would be for waterfowl and upland. I'm new to this sport and don't want to spend too much while still learning.
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Thats fine. It will certainly cover most of your needs. The key is that it isnt full, as steel shot and full chokes generally dont go together. I would not have it reamed out any further as it will limit your distance. Better to have to tight a pattern then not enough of one.
 
I much [refer fixed choke guns and have never had an issue shooting them.
There is not a bird in the world I can't hunt with a SXS pr O/U choked IC/MOD.
Even my vintage guns choked CYL/CHOKE are no problem as I hunt waterfowl using appropriate nontox bismuth or Nice Shot and ig i am hunting upland the open choke
gets used first.
my favourite gun has no choke in either barrel, BTW. :>)
Cat
 
Ive hunted my entire career with a fixed choke shotgun, and have never considered it a hindrance. They are as good as any other gun, my most recent shotgun is the first one with screw in chokes, and Ive yet to try it out.
 
catnthehatt said:
I much [refer fixed choke guns and have never had an issue shooting them.
There is not a bird in the world I can't hunt with a SXS pr O/U choked IC/MOD.
Even my vintage guns choked CYL/CHOKE are no problem as I hunt waterfowl using appropriate nontox bismuth or Nice Shot and ig i am hunting upland the open choke
gets used first.
my favourite gun has no choke in either barrel, BTW. :>)
Cat
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X2. I am in total agreement with Cat. I find that bismuth patterns nicer and shots harder than steel. A little more expensive but it will allow you to shot, collect and appreciate some of the older and finest shotguns ever made. Many people prefer modern shotguns which is fine with me because all that means is that the price of a quality older shotgun goes down. It give me the opportunity to be able to add to my collection without selling the boat, motorcycle or Porsche. As for chokes, I hunt fowl and shoot trap with full and use cylinder for hunting with slugs or as my camp gun. Every time someone points out that I don't have a modified choke or an adjustable stock, etc. I just shrug my shoulders and go out and purchase an older shotgun with that one thing to fill the void. 1 of my new Beretta's = 6 used shotguns. I have 23 shotguns and my top 3 favourites are 3) Cooey 84. 2) model 12 and 1) Belgium Browning A5 light 12.
 
My field gun is a Baikal IJ-58MA SXS 12ga M/F, with a handloaded 1Oz load in each barrel a grouse is fair game between 10-40yrds. On rare occasions I shoot skeet or 5-stand with it and expect to end with a target or 2 less than my usual average. For shooting steel, however, I would recommend modern chrome lined barrels I/C & M as a better choice.
 
I haven't had a full choke barrel or used a full choke tube in 25yrs and I haven't missed them. For hunting I use modified. I have a good OU for clays, I have two skeet tubes and two I/C tubes for skeet and sporting clays. So "yes" there is nothing wrong with a fixed choke barrel for most of what you want to do a modified choke would be best.
When it comes to shooting steel the choke should be built different than that is used for lead. Not that you can not shoot steel from and older mod barrel it will just not perform as well as a choke specifically designed to handle steel.

I can not stress enough to head out to the range and pattern your shotgun to see what it does with different shot sizes and lead and steel. I guarantee it will be an interesting learning experience. Google shot gun patterning and it will give you the basics.
 
I had a fixed choke 1957 Wingmaster I got for a very good price, had it opened up to modified and slew a variety of waterfowl with it.
 
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