I just finished Cyril Adams' book "Lock, Stock, and Barrel". In it he says in his experience anything more than 35 points of choke results in blown patterns when paired with modern ammunition. I'm beginning to think he's right. My suggestion is pattern your gun, and if the patterns are too tight in the center, open them up gradually. I've never been keen on fiddling with Parker chokes, but if it's a shooter decide what's best for you. It is your gun.

Some good advice being given here. I had a 26" F/F gun opened and ended up with a ruined set of barrels with +.004" of blunderbuss choke in the right barrel and paper thin muzzles that get dented in the wind.... and there's no going back from that.

I shot a 20/25 in a difficult 5 Stand setup today, missing 3 rabbits... so i think the barrels will be ok.. Should be great for Sporting Clays..

Also ordered some spreader loads to try for the short shots.. should be interesting to see how those work..

I agree, the barrels are 100 yrs old, I want them to last another 100 yrs..
Thanks for all the advice, appreciate it..
Gary

polywad and rst both make spreader loads. both have web sites. both accept credit cards...

I have shot Polywad and RST and also recommend both highly

i got some RST's spreader loads and they seem to work pretty good.. I shot a 22 in Skeet with them in the wind and probably should have had a 23..
Im liking the spreaders and am shooting RST 1oz 8's 1175 fps for SC and 5 stand..
I agree "leave the barrels alone and work around it".. seems to be working for me..
Thanks for all the advice. :bowdown:
Gary

I like the 7/8 oz loads too. 7/8 or 1 oz are what I shoot with 12 gauges.