Author Topic: Choke Question (Read 808 times)

Loki_762 · « **on:** August 29, 2004, 02:43:02 PM »

I have been hunting ducks with a 3 inch Remington 870 with a modified choke for about twelve years now, and have done okay with it. However, the last couple of years, I have noticed that there are some guys shooting birds quite a bit higher than I can cleanly kill, and they scare them off before they get into my range. Now, I am sure that some of them are shooting either 3 1/2 in 12 gauges or 10 gauges. However, I can't really afford a whole new gun, so I have to do what I can to mine to get as much from the gun as possible. So, I have been thinking about getting a new choke tube, but there are so many different types out there that I am unsure what to get. I could just go with a full Remchoke tube, and I am sure that the patterns would stay tight a little further. However, I also see Tru-Glo chokes, Hastings chokes, and Patternmaster chokes, to name a few, and I go crosseyed trying to figure out what makes some of these things so special. Can anyone help clear things up for me here? Does anyone recommend any particular choke tubes that they have found to pattern well? Any help is appreciated.
Loki

dukkillr · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2004, 10:07:20 AM »

99% of that stuff is hype. There is very little difference among chokes with the same constriction. I would advise shooting nothing tighter than full (i shoot mod) and in nothing larger than 3" 2s for ducks. Hunting isn't a competition, if they're shooting past 45 or so yards they are irresponsible hunters, it's really that simple. I don't particularly care if they occasionally kill them, the reality is that they wound many more ducks than if they would be take better shots.

You also might find them shooting hevi-shot (or lead illegally). This could add range and pattern density but at a significant cost. I've shot hevi-shot for turkeys now for 2 seasons. The stuff kicks ass... it's expensive, but for turkeys i think it's worth it. That's because i killed 4 turkeys this year, and i've got 6 shells left for next year. at 2.5 years per box of 10, i can afford to shoot them. Ducks are a different deal though. I can't afford to shoot through 50$ worth of shot a day. If you can, i recommend it, it's good stuff.

fffffg · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:50:02 PM »

i agree with duck killer,... fullchoke is likely to blow patterns with larger shot deforming them .. its not recomended at all with steel. maybe some of the new 870 barrels its ok, cunsult gunsmith.. the key is to go to the pattern board and see what is happening.. if you gett too tight youl start missing the fast close ones, so there is no free lunch.. the guys shooting the birds before the birds are even close is not new to me.. it used to happen all the time with guys using my dekoys to get birds.. its unethical but no way to stop it.. id search for better hunting grounds if at all possible to find.. the lead varience is extreemly difficult in long range and ive seen guys do it like you mention, and it drove me crazy too.. play your own game and stop watching others, it takes the fun out of it.. its not a competition, its a great day to be alive in the marsh with the sun comming up .. my dad is 88 and he does little else than eat, take pills and sleep.. so enjoy it while you can.. i shoot a flintlock and average one bird on opening day if that.. its a gas...its funny as i have an excellent reputation as a duck hunter. but i do much better jump shooting, later in the year... the slow velocity about 1000 fps coupled with fast movers going by the dekes, and not comming in on opening day (mostly for the reasons you mentioned) make it hard, but still its one one the best days of the year for me, and i have to go to work at noon.. .. . dave..

warf73 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2004, 09:36:04 PM »

I remember the days of shooting lead man o man it was great. But that aside.

Don't worry about Mr. Skybuster and do your thing. I have made some uber long shots with steel shot but I call long 50 yards maybe 55 yards but 90% of our shooting is 40 yards or less. But there is a big difference shooting decoying ducks and passerbys.

Warf

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2004, 04:59:11 PM »

I'm not sure a choke is going to help much. The problem with steel is it loses energy pretty fast at longer ranges I personally try to keep my shots under 30 yards. I've cleaned birds dropped at longer ranges only to find most of the pellets just under the skin. I agree that those guys are just skybusting, using 3 1/2" guns or possible one of the non-toxic shots. You could try using some of the higher velocity loads to gain some extra energy though you will sacrifice pattern density. I haven't taken the jump to non-toxics yet because they are just too expensive especially when you are buying for more than one shooter in the family. I buy most of my shells on clearance after the season ends.