removing chokes on SxS

[hansol]

Hey all,

I just bought a Lanber Supreme SxS 12g. The 30" barrels have fixed chokes, one full and the other modified. I'm fairly new to shotguns, and am hoping to get into upland hunting, as well as do a bit of duck hunting on the side at some point.

I've read that full choke and modified choke are a bit overkill for grouse and other upland birds, (and duck too?) so I am just wondering if it would be worth cutting a couple inches off the barrels to open them up to cylinder bore? And that being said, will cylinder bore be appropriate for the types of hunting I am looking at doing?

Like I said, I am fairly new to shotguns and bird hunting (done a fair amount of big game hunting though) so I'm hoping the experienced guys here can give me some info about chokes vs hunting application. Thanks guys -Cameron

 

[dilly]

cutting off the barrels would not be a good idea for a couple reasons. First, it would expose the muzzel end area between the barrels to the elements and allow moisture in and start corrosion. Second, once you are out to cylinder bore, your choke is gone forever and so are many of your options. 30" barrels on a SxS is not a bad thing and will actually measure out to be shorter than a pump with a shorter barrel. It smooths your swing and balances the gun better. I would look into having a competant gunsmith ream out the chokes to whatever works for you. Its usually not that expensive and you still have the benefit of choke. I had one done recently that was full / Imp Mod and had it done to Skeet1 and Skeet2...its perfect now!

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

It's likely that the Lanber has a 3inch chamber (judging by present bbl length)?.

Since you are planning to reduce to 28inch - why not have the Gunsmith convert those bbls to IC/M instead? This way you have the best of both worlds i.e. Upland and Waterfowl hunting. FYI, a Modified or more open chokes are what you need to shoot steel (for Waterfowl) anyway.

Also, check with your smith to ensure that those bbls are compatible with steel.

 

[Grouse Man]

For grouse, a 30" barrel in an inexpensive double will not be very dynamic - a Purdey, for instance, could get away with it. It'll be fine for pheasant or sharptail in those big open fields, but not well-suited to thick bush if you're wingshooting ruffies.

Ducks on the other hand, the barrel length isn't nearly as much of a hindrance as the choke. IC in both barrels would be ideal if you're shooting over decoys. I have a chokeless A5 barrel that is deadly at that range. But have a gunsmith okay it for steel.

If you cut off the barrels, a gunsmith will have to close off the end again. Ask about that in the Gunsmithing section.

And ignore any comments about it 'changing the point of impact'.

 

[Claybuster]

I would look into having a competant gunsmith ream out the chokes to whatever works for you. Its usually not that expensive and you still have the benefit of choke. I had one done recently that was full / Imp Mod and had it done to Skeet1 and Skeet2...its perfect now!

X2. I would do the same. I've taken 32" guns into the bush for upland hunting and didn't find the length problematic. What you would gain by cutting 2" off the barrels you would lose in not having choke and ending up with a gun that is worth far less should you want to sell it.

I'd also agree on Skeet 1 and Skeet 2 aka Light Modified. That's how I had my sxs choked and it's worked very well for me.

 

[hansol]

Thanks for the ideas guys. The only reason I talked of cutting the barrels shorter was because I heard that "gets rid of" your chokes. I definitely would like to keep the full 30" if possible.

Yes Ashan, it has a 3" chamber. Certainly having trouble finding out opinions on the Lanber though.

So you guys figure that light modified in both barrels is a good combination for what I will be doing? How much does one figure it will cost to have a smithy ream them out?

 

[Ahsan Ahmed]

Thanks for the ideas guys. The only reason I talked of cutting the barrels shorter was because I heard that "gets rid of" your chokes. I definitely would like to keep the full 30" if possible.

Yes Ashan, it has a 3" chamber. Certainly having trouble finding out opinions on the Lanber though.

So you guys figure that light modified in both barrels is a good combination for what I will be doing? How much does one figure it will cost to have a smithy ream them out?

30 inch on a double barrel shotgun is just fine and not really a hindrance unless one is planning on doing all of his shooting in densely wooded areas. For that matter, you'd have trouble with a 26 or 28 inch even

If the bbls are chrome lined you'd likely incur double the usual charge to have those reamed. This is what I observed when a friend had his chokes opened up at Precision Arms (in ON). Believe cost was around $120+tax/per bbl. Moreover, not all gunsmiths have the proper tools to do the chrome bbls.

From a cost efficiency perspective, another idea may be to simply open up the Full to whatever you would like and leave the Mod as is

 

[guntech]

Aler it as you would for steel shot and have the best for lead and steel....

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.