The Future of Screw in Chokes

[Dennis]

I only have one shotgun with screw in choke tubes and it is a Remington 870 Police Model. I have only used the screw in chokes once when I was invited to go duck hunting and it was so I could use steel shot. It was the only gun I had suitable for steel. Having said that let's not forget that just because the shotgun barrel is marked with a choke designation doesn't mean it really IS that marked choke. I have heard of full choke guns which are really modified etc. I generally shoot side by sides and like them to be choked improved cylinder and modified. My Parker 12 gauge GH is improved modified and full and I seem to shoot it as well as any other gun I have. I used to shy away from any gun marked full choke as I couldn't hit anything with the full choke barrel. I don't know if my shooting has gotten better or guns I am using aren't really full choke. I suspect they are full choke though. I guess my long winded point is there really is a purpose for different chokes such as skeet or improved cylinder for quail. But if all you have is a full choke gun I guess it will do just fine.

[Double Lab]

Dennis;
Choke probably had little to do with your improved shooting. More than likely the gun fit you much better and of course it was a Parker so there you go.

[Dennis]

Makes sense to me except I shoot all of my guns a little better now. I don't know if I would like shooting skeet with a full choke but it sure would be fun to try.

[Jack Kuzepski]

Steve,

An interesting thought is that shooting a pump is not too much of a handicap. Several years ago I was giving some shooting tips to a younger (30 something) shooter at the skeet range. He was practicing before his father in law showed up. He said he needed the practice because his father in law shot an over under and always beat him; he was shooting a full choked well used model 12 Winchester. So I asked him "doesn't that gun almost eject the shell on its own?" He said that it did but he had to push the forend forward and that kind of threw him off on doubles. So I told him that he really had the advantage. When he held the forend in his left hand, let the first finger sit along the side of the forend and when the gun was fired let the shell almost eject itsself but when he pushed forward on the forend to point his finger toward the second target and remount the gun to his face in a smooth motion. He said he'd try it. I pulled skeet for the pair of them when the father in law showed up. They shot the usual 2 rounds of skeet. Father in law shot his usual 46 out of 50. Son in law ran 2 straights.

Jack Kuzepski

[Twice Shooter]

Jack, Will you coach me? Tom

[Double Lab]

Jack;
Other than my SxS's I love shooting my M12's and you were spot on with that young man and his forward hand. Those old M12's just about pump themselves although you need a load with some recoil to accomplish that. I shoot my 3/4oz. loads in mine and there is no recoil to assist that forward hand so I have to force myself to remember to push the forend forward to unlock the bolt. Thanks for taking the time to assist that young whippersnapper in learning how to shoot (and whoop his father-in-law)

[Jack Kuzepski]

Tom,

I'll be glad to TRY to help anybody. With the younger guy, I just wanted to get rid of his excuse and let him believe in himself.

Jack