Info From the Experts
 

I am familiar with the Q1/2 choke restrictions on repro 20's but not so much on 12's. For some unknown reason I am considering the purchase of repro 12 with Q chokes. So, from those of you in the know, what amount of constriction might I expect to see.

.004/.006 seems the norm... will be 26" barrels, few in any 28" barrel guns are out there in Q1/Q2 SXS Ohio

.004" and .007" are the Q1 & Q2 chokes on my 28 gauge and I would expect a 12 gauge with those choke designations would have a few more thousandths of constriction than a 28 gauge would have.





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Dean,
Actually they seem to have made all Q1/Q2 choking similar constriction regardless of gauge. I have had 12, 28 and 16 Ga guns with this choking and they were all around
3/6.
Bob Jurewicz

Thanks for the replies. My 20 ga are .004 & .009. About what I think they should be for skt 1 & 2 chokes for either 12 or 20. What really spurned my request were some info on 12 ga IC/M numbers at .006 & .010 which are not in line with their designation. So, I am a bit confused as to which I want to pursue.

No problem with 26" barrels. I see no difference between 26 & 28 in use and I am not at all a fan of long barrels.

Gary - can't help with the actual Q1/Q2 constriction on a 12ga Reproduction (bc I haven't got one) however, I can share that my standard 12ga IC/MOD is constricted .006/.010

The constriction (IC/MOD) on my 12ga SSS's are .008/.012

16ga - IC/MOD = .011/.017

26" barrels? I agree w/you - no discernible difference to me.

I have two other modern sxs in 20 and 28 ga that have 26 inch barrels. My Parker 16 VH has 28 inch barrels. Overall length of guns compared to each has the Parker just slightly longer, maybe an inch or less. To me in the field or range it is hardly discernible,because in tight cover its overall length and not just barrel length that matters to me. The stock on newer guns is a bit longer and Parker stock is a bit shorter, so it balances the OAL some. All the guns balance between the hands very well, though the 28 is so much lighter that it can feel whippy after handling other guns but man can you move it quickly. Shooting that 28 compared to shooting the 20 or 16 gauge is like running in hunting boots and then changing to your running shoes it is definitely a spry feeling.

Whether you like a shorter barrel or longer barrel gun, if choked comparably then shot performance is about the same. Between a 26 to 28 does that once or so of weight at the end make a difference of how the gun swings, to some yes, to others maybe not.

This is where I get confused though. Most of the dogma you hear nowadays is that you should never see the sights on a shotgun and focus on the bird/target hence you might stop your swing. Personally a believer of this process; however look at any of Tom Knapps guns and he always had one of his bright front sights on his guns. I don't know if he was just getting paid to endorse/use that product or was a true believer but he used them for years. I guess whatever works for you. Maybe Ole Tom could shoot no matter what was on the front of his gun.

Scot, those 16 ga numbers are about what I think IC/M should be. A bit too tight for me. My first 20 ga repro matched those exactly and it shot wickedly tight. My ideal would be .006 & .012 or a strong skeet and light mod. I'm trying to figure out which will get me the closest and it almost seems I should be looking at a IC/M but I would be bummed if it came in with your 16 ga numbers.

Thanks for the info.

Constriction is a function of the amount of "squeeze" from the choke. .005" on a 10 gauge is very different than .005" on a .410

If I were you Gary, I'd be looking for a high conditioned 12-ga. Repro with 28" bbls. factory choked IC/M which are almost always choked within a thousandths of .006/.011 -- I've yet to see one that varied any more.

You'll get little argument from me regarding any discernable difference of 26" vs. 28" barrels in a hunting gun. Having said that, I prefer a Repro in a 20 or 28 with 26" barrels for hunting. But, I don't care for a 12-ga. with 26" bbls. -- they just look too stubby IMHO. It takes at least 28" of barrel for a 12-ga. to be aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. Additionally, I believe a 28" gun will yield higher dividends down the road if you should ever decide to move it.