Choke constriction

[Wilmurt]

The choke constriction chart from Hallowell & Co. shows 16 ga. IC between .006-.012 constriction what would a Parker 16 ga. IC measure in these terms? Looking to open up a Mod barrel and want to give the gunsmith some direction.

[Researcher]

I don't own a Parker 16-gauge, but .002" - .005" sounds more like Skeet to me. My 1928 vintage Sterlingworth Ejector that letters as improved cylinder in the right barrel measures .008", two Remington 16-gauge improved cylinder guns I have from the mid-1930s both measure .011". However, my 1953 Winchester Model 12, 16-gauge, improved cylinder, only measures .004".

[Wilmurt]

Here’s the Hallowell chart (PDF)

[Gary Laudermilch]

I read that chart differently than you. Looks to me like .006-.012 is listed for IC which is a pretty broad range. I would think .009-.010 would yield somewhere near IC but it all depends on some other factors like shot size/hardness and payload weight among others.

Here is Briley's chart. While it does not list 16 ga specifically I think you can infer the range for the 16.

[Wilmurt]

Thanks for the correction Gary. I looked at the English, not American designation column. I corrected my original post.

[Harry Collins]

Tom,

If it were my gun I would leave the chokes alone and buy or hand load spreader shells. I opened up two Parkers and I have been both ashamed and remorseful. In my latter years I've found that Parker chokes are difficult to duplicate. Plus, I appreciate the gun for what it was made for. A quail gun is not choked like a duck gun so buy the gun designed for what you want to shoot. I have found Parkers that would be to expensive to bring back to life, yet the barrels were on a frame size I could use to make a two or three barrel set on an existing favorite.

[Wilmurt]

Thank you for your comments Harry. The gun I'm opening up is a shooter with little collector value. It's currently choked .028 left (IM) and .018 right (Mod). I patterned the gun and found both barrels tight for what they are so hence, for my shooting I'd like the right opened up a bit.

[Randy Roberts]

I'm with Harry on this one. I have done it and I am sorry now. My hindsight is perfect unfortunately.

[William Davis]

Collector value aside, They are near perfect 16 G chokes for 3/4 oz or 7/8 oz loads. Light shot weight you want choke to get pattern density

Occasional very close shot use a spreader shell

William .

[Researcher]

I've never for a second regretted having chokes opened to make a gun more useful to me. Half a dozen sitting in the gunroom getting no use because of their tight chokes.