no choke acceptable for upland game?

[saskgunowner101]

I have a friend getting rid of one of his SXS shotguns for a very decent price. It has 30" barrel(s) and I was thinking I'd make those barrels 20" if I bought it, but I'd lose the chokes. Would this really matter for grouse/rabbits in the 20-25 meters max range??

 

[Lodi]

It's a bit of a toss up, but I think you would be fine.

Higher quality ammo will generally give better patterns than the low end stuff.

 

[gunsaholic]

Just curious, what make of gun would you be chopping?

 

[saskgunowner101]

It's a curious old thing. On one barrel, it says Model 772 Montreal, Canadian Industries LTD (CIL) Montreal, Canada

On the other barrel, it says zabala HNOS S.R.C. eibar made in Spain

 

[Lodi]

Zabala would be the maker and CIL the importer.

 

[blasted_saber]

I dont think you'd get very good patterns past 15m.

 

[ciphery]

Is the bore a straight bore or a tapered bore?

 

[Ardent]

More often than not, when you cut a double you destroy the regulation. That is, where each barrel shoots in relation to where you sight/aim. Also, frequently the space between the ribs has airspace and it will be a very ugly and crude looking muzzle without work. Why not just buy a Stoeger Coach Gun if you're set on a 20"? They're $350 right not brand new, choked Mod/IC nonetheless, at Wholesale Sports. I can tell you that you will certainly hits birds and small game with the barrels left at 30".

 

[badgreenbird]

I think it will be fine, but the short 20" barrels might throw me off. I have a Baikal sxs that had 28' barrels and I had it shortened to 26, so effectively no choke. It's a deadly gun on everything at close range; maybe 25m tops.

Definitely worth patterning afterward... mine patterns much better with Federal 1 oz steel than Winchester 1 1/8 oz

btw, I did have the end of the rib re-sealed.

 

[Grouse Man]

It would be horribly unbalanced as a wingshooting gun. Don't butcher a perfectly serviceable gun. Like others said, you can get a 20" coach gun super cheap. And you'll have to fix the muzzle.

That gun could still be used for sporting clays, sharptail or pheasant hunting, crows, ducks and geese if you use the softer non-toxic shot, etc.

 

[M12shooter]

...what Ardent and Grouse Man say... If your plan is to hunt ruffed grouse and such in heavy brush you would still be better off purchasing and inexpensive O/U made for the job. Turning a double into some blunderbuss is a fine way to make a door stop IMO.

 

[gunsaholic]

...what Ardent and Grouse Man say... If your plan is to hunt ruffed grouse and such in heavy brush you would still be better off purchasing and inexpensive O/U made for the job. Turning a double into some blunderbuss is a fine way to make a door stop IMO.

Totally agree.

 

[CZ_Brno]

A better way to go is buying an old used 870 and put on an aftermarket short barrel.

Or a Dominion Arms Grizzly with the short barrel.

Or a Dominion Arms Outlaw Double Barrel Shotgun - 12"