opening up chokes

[Dean Romig]

But the point I made is that, regardless of your choke, your pattern spread or its density, and even if it has feathers and that you intend to eat it if you are able to bring it to hand, is that the center of each and every target is infinitesimally a tiny point and that point needs to be in the center of your shot pattern, or very close to it.

Some people believe that a more open pattern will make up for, shall we say, more 'relaxed' shooting skills.





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[Double Lab]

The bottom line is the center of the pattern should be on the leading edge of whatever you are shooting at, be it a clay target or, if it's a bird, the head.

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

The bottom line is the center of the pattern should be on the leading edge of whatever you are shooting at, be it a clay target or, if it's a bird, the head.

I agree in most cases, but shooting grouse at ranges of from 10 to 25 yards is instinctual and in many, maybe most, cases in tight cover, you don't see a whole bird. What you see is a flash of bits of the bird as it flies through cover. In this type of shooting, any choke at all is a handicap. Improved cylinder isn't bad but modified and full in this type of cover hunting grouse is a real handicap. I pattern my grouse guns and also shot some modified and full chokes at 20 yards and for this type of shooting its a real handicap.


Unless you are satisfied with taking just a few birds per year, open chokes and light shot is the answer. I never knew a true grouse hunter (25 or more birds per year at the low end) who shot modified or full guns in tight grouse cover.

[C.O.B.]

Over the weekend The Great Northern SXS shoot in Wisconsin had a grouse course which was set up with green targets through the trees at high speed. Just for grins I took a straight grip DHE 12 with 34 inch barrels choked .047 in each and did quite well with it. The gun handles wonderfully, isn't sluggish or barrel heavy.