What is a Cylinder Choke good for?

C

calvados.boulard

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Hi everyone,

I'm wondering what's a cylinder choke is best at? How does it perform with slugs, rifled slugs, and 00, and 000 buckshot?

For reference I'm talking about the 870 Marine Magnum.

I'm hoping to use it as an all purpose gun. From bear and cougar defence, to shooting clays and targets.

I haven't purchased one yet, but would like to get your opinions before I do. And yes, I know I could always install a different barrel. :)

Thanks everyone,
Cal.
 
Well, I'm not qualified to comment on trap shooting or clays, but - you're going to be disappointed trying to use a cylinder bore. That would be my guess.

(Flame suit on):D
 
I shoot O/U's for skeet and sporting clays,I use a cylinder/skeet combo,the more open cyl in the bottom(first) barrel because the first target is usually close and fast. The skeet choke is great out to 35 yds or so. Ocassionaly they switch some of the traps for longer shots,so I just change to IMP/Mod.
 
It will work great for what it was designed for and that is rifled slugs and buck at close range. It will also pattern target loads well for skeet distance targets. It is not exactly designed as a bird gun but should be OK for close flushing birds.
 
Not to mention that if your barrel is tapped for a choke tube, it is advisable to use a cylider choke tube, even if you don't want constriction. You don't want to shoot with no choke tube as you could easily damage the threads inside the barrel.
 
Open cylinder is good for fast trap, tight birds (close), buckshot, slugs, and all around close range shooting. For guns that have interchangeable chokes, you would use your open cylinder choke so you don't damage the threading when no choke is required.


I have a 870 express that has an Improved Cylinder barrel with iron sights. Shoots good groups at 75 paces, or a milk jug every shot.
 
calvados.boulard said:
Hi everyone,

I'm wondering what's a cylinder choke is best at? How does it perform ...
For reference I'm talking about the 870 Marine Magnum...
I'm hoping to use it as an all purpose gun. From bear and cougar defence, to shooting clays and targets...
And yes, I know I could always install a different barrel. :)
Thanks everyone,
Cal.
Click to expand...

Well Cal, it would appear you answered your own question inn the last sentence.
You are looking for an all purpose gun (didnt mention zombie attacks though)
Buy something that has the multi choke system and all your bases will be covered and it will eventually save you money too from having to either buy another gun or selling at a loss to find what has been recomended before you buy.
There is no perfect solution to your quest, just options to consider in my opinion.
Take it for what it is worth,
Rob
 
Open chokes are best if you are throwing your own clays by hand. In fact, I find that this is hard to do with a modified choke.
 
Good for everything any choke is good for, at appropriate range.

Many of my vintage shotguns predate choke, I still use them successfully for everything from bunnies, to sporting clays to goose thumping...

M
 
FLHTCUI said:
Buy something that has the multi choke system and all your bases will be covered...
Click to expand...


That's exactly what I did. I hadn't played with shotguns before, so I bought a used Stevens from a fellow CGNer here a few months ago and I've been playing around with it at the range. I stapled up a long piece of kraft paper and watched what it does to the pattern at different ranges. I still have a ways to go before I'll call myself competent enough with it to hunt but I think it's easier than using different guns because everything else stays the same when you dial it down so you know that's the only thing that's affecting the pattern.
 
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