Author Topic: Slug or 00 (Read 1000 times)

burch · « **on:** July 12, 2008, 10:29:58 AM »

I have a 1940 H&R Baystate, 12ga.CHOKE with a 30" barrel. I`d like to use it for hunting Deer,Hogs and Turkey. Can anyone tell me what`ll shoot the best for these hunting situatuions. I know all guns shoot different but I was kinda hoping someone was hunting with this configuration so I can at least have some idea and won`t be as cost effective as just buying a lot of ammo for testing.

Burch

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2008, 11:11:51 AM »

I have an older H&R with a full choke, it doesn't shoot foster slugs worth a darn, but the only way you'll know is to shoot em an find out.

Tim

burch · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2008, 11:42:26 AM »

If my barrel says " CHOKE " on it does that mean it`s full choke ?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2008, 11:52:19 AM »

Try a dime in the muzzle, if it won't fit or fits snug, it's a full choke, if it fits right in with room to spare, it's something more open and may shoot slugs better.

Tim

burch · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2008, 01:42:49 AM »

I used your dime test and it dropped all the way through and stopped about 3/8" from the muzzle. I couldn`t push it any farther and since it was so close to the muzzle I broke out the dial calipers and and measured it at the muzzle. I came up with 7.92 and 7.93

Burch

Busta · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2008, 04:56:52 AM »

Quote from: burch on July 13, 2008, 01:42:49 AM

I used your dime test and it dropped all the way through and stopped about 3/8" from the muzzle. I couldn`t push it any farther and since it was so close to the muzzle I broke out the dial calipers and and measured it at the muzzle. I came up with 7.92 and 7.93

Burch

Burch,

I think you better check your dial calipers, do you mean .792"? I would say they may be proud by close to .100", or you read it that way. Nominal bore on most 12 ga guns is around .730 + or -. Most dimes measure between .700" and .710", depending on the wear. With the 30" barrel and the dime not passing through, I would say you have a full choked (CHOKE) barrel.

You may or may not get rifled slugs to shoot through it OK.

Rifled slugs for deer and hogs out to about 75 yards, you could use 00 Buck for close shots if it patterns well out to about 25 yards effectively.

#4 or #6 shot (birdshot) for the turkeys.

burch · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2008, 05:10:55 AM »

I ran by Wally World and grabbed a box of Winchester 00B. That`s all they had. At 30yrds the pattern stunk, 15yrds was about the best they would do. I bet anything shoots good at 15yrds. As far as the calipers goes, thanks for the correction and it was .793 and that`s about 1/4" to 3/8" down the muzzle.

Busta · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2008, 06:38:20 AM »

I'm thinking you mean .693", that would be closer to a full choke?

burch · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2008, 06:48:46 AM »

I stand corrected again. Your right it is .693

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2008, 03:22:42 AM »

If it was me and you were not gonna use it for ducks or geese I'd cut it down to at least 24" if not 20" and shoot slugs the other thing is do not shoot steel shot thru that bbl. But then again if it was me I'd leave it at 26" and not alter it at all as they are not making 1940 Baystates anymore.Kurt

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2008, 10:05:46 AM »

Try a different size buckshot.... I had one shotgun that loved 00B.....Try some 0B or maybe some number 1....

burch · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2008, 09:16:26 AM »

O.K. so lets say I did decide to cut down the barrel. What is the right way to do it ?

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2008, 09:28:06 AM »

Have someone do it in a lathe would be ideal.... They could even drill and tap to put the bead back on.... A gunsmith or machine shop would probably do it for well less than $100.... The last one I did was with a pipe cutter... The results were not great... I had to do a little clean up with a file....The finished product came out ok.....It would have came out alot better in a lathe.... I added some williams sights to mine....

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** July 15, 2008, 09:39:17 AM »

try # 4 buck

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** July 15, 2008, 10:07:21 AM »

I'd do the pipe cutter or even a hack saw, then clean it up and put a crown on it using the home methods in the FAQs, I've done a 20ga, very easy to do. Cut it a tad long, if it doesn't come out to your satisfaction, then pay a smith to do it.

Tim

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2008, 03:01:09 AM »

Use the saw and file it to a finished edge , a pipe cutter will roll an edge to the inside and require more file work . use a wide 2nd. cut mill file or smoother to finish .

jgalar · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2008, 04:32:11 AM »

Any welding shop should have a band saw for smooth cutoffs. I doubt that they would charge much for the job. Harbor Freight has one for around $200:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=93762

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2008, 02:09:17 PM »

Use a good pipe cutter then crown according to the FAQ's works very well I've done a couple and was pleased with the results. Kurt

burch · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:56:34 AM »

O.K. i`ve decided to go a different route. I came across an Ithaca mod. 37 Deerslayer and `im going to just keep my Bay State in it`s original condition and maybe just use it for Trurkeys. So with all that said I thank everyone for all the help. I`m starting a new thread on a Slug selection over at the Ithaca section.

Burch

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2008, 02:22:33 PM »

"im going to just keep my Bay State in it`s original condition"

I'm glad! I hate to see guns ruined by cutting the barrels down. Get some smaller buck shot. The smaller the shot the better the pattern. Did you try slugs? I've never owned a shotgun that wouldn't shoot slugs pretty well.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2008, 05:59:13 PM »

You made a very good decision. Kurt