Fixed chokes for Over/Unders?

[wjc]

I was looking at a couple of used shotguns I was interested in and they had fixed chokes (usually full on top and something wider on the bottom).

I would be using these for skeet, not competition, and was wondering if someone with experience with fixed choke shotguns could answer a couple of questions for me...

Are fixed chokes ok or should I look for something with changeable chokes?

If fixed are ok, what's the setup I should be looking for? (Full + IM, IM+M)

Any gotcha's I should look for in a fixed choke gun, e.g, barrel bulge, cracks, rough spots?

Thanks muchly for any advice!

[Rob454]

I would personally look for one that has removable chokes. This way you can run what may work best for you. For a HD gun you don't need chokes
If the OU you are looking for has no removable chokes if its cheap enough you may be able to spring to have the barrels threaded for chokes.

[AAShooter]

If you are using this for skeet (the game) as opposed to Trap or Sporting Clay, I would be looking for more open chokes. Perhaps IM and M. Full chokes for skeet are pretty tight for most shots.

A gunsmith can modify the choke or possibly install removable chokes but it is not cheap. In general I think most people worry way to much about their chokes instead the underlying shooting fundamentals that are probably limiting their performance.

[otteray]

Go to Shotgunworld.com and do a search for your specific brand info on possible issues.

I've shot skeet with folks that only use full with a .410 or else 7/8oz 12 ga using a tight choke and they do fine or better than mediocre me does with my 12 ga open chokes!

[wjc]

HD is not a problem...I have multiple guns for that eventuality.

I was looking more toward a gun I could use for fun instead of using my hunting autoloader.

Thanks for all the good information everybody!

[Rob454]

I

A gunsmith can modify the choke or possibly install removable chokes but it is not cheap.

What is considered not cheap? 80-100-200 bucks?


I used to use a Mossberg 500 with a 28 inch fixed mod choke. Duck upland and clays. When i got a gun with removable chokes it allowed me to adjust better for distance and pattern. Its more efficient to by a gun that has removable chokes. just gives you that much more flexibility. A fixed choke shotgun to me is a entry level shotgun. Spend a few more bucks and get a model with removable chokes

[AAShooter]

The times I have checked, they have always told me it is cheaper to buy a new barrel. So I am assuming $150+. This was for a single barrel so I am assuming more for a double barrel.

I was interested in having removable chokes installed when I spoke with folks. Perhaps just having a tight choke made larger is cheaper.

[JagerDog]

For skeet, the chokes are "skeet (sometime 1 & 2)". Pretty close to improved cylinder.

F/M is a serious handicap in skeet. Fine for trap. Fine for some SC shots and too tight for others.

Fixed choke O/U's are cheaper than their modern counterparts for this very reason. Screw-in chokes can be installed, but you're talking ~$500 (with flush chokes). Chokes can be opened up (still fixed) for ~$200.

I have one 1960's Beretta I bought for $350. Fixed chokes (F/M) and no ejectors. I had Briley's installed, stock fitted and it's now an all-around favorite...albeit at nearly the entry cost of a similar gun with screw-ins.

Some of the older guns had some REALLY tight chokes. That Beretta, though designated F/M was in real life F/XF. I was blowing up pheasants at 25 yards and beyond. The shells (one piece wads primarily) have changed and the choke constrictions have changed with them.

[chuckdc]

Most of the fixed-choke O/u's that I've seen have been IC and M choke. not a bad combination, really. Remember that choke is only part of the equation for shot spread. You can get most of the effect of interchangeable chokes by changing what shells you use. Soft shot (i.e. cheap loads) spread more because of pellet deformation. Hard shot like in the more expensive loads will pattern tighter. There are also "spreader" loads out there.

[JagerDog]

Installing screw-ins doesn't cost that much Here is a price list for a local outfit:

http://www.americhoke.com/#screw

As for serious handicap, I think that only matters in competition. If you can shoot, the difference between a round of skeet with M/F vs Sk/Sk is a couple of birds. Winning at skeet is like winning at golf - the difference between being in the money or out is a few strokes. That's a bird or two out of a hundred. For goofing around, I think that many out of 25 is inconsequential as you're still able to be over 90% with a stock field gun and Wally World cheapie loads. For beginners, there are more important things to work out before obssessing about marginal increments acquired at sometimes great cost. Fun first. Once your hooked, then make yourself miserable worrying about marginal increases.

I'd tend to disagree....of sorts. To stick with the golf analogy, playing shotgun games without the "proper" choke is akin to a 3-club golf tourney.

In the hands of a AA shooter, the difference might be a couple birds which were barely missed. It might be nothing, becasue everything was centered. To the novice, the difference can be much greater. If I double the diameter of my pattern (say paper plate to XL pizza), I've increased my effective hitting area say 8X. When I was shooting league skeet with my automagic, modified choke, I got stuck around 19 birds. Straights were unheard of. As soon as I switched guns (skeet choke), I was immediately in the 20's, with the occasional straight. Average maybe 3 birds, but 3 elusive birds. Granted, if you're only shooting against yourself that 19 might be just fine. But I find most people get most enthused when they increase success.

I checked Briley and w/5 lead/bismuth chokes the cost is $429. R&D comes out to ~$375. Hey, I'm always fond of saving $60, but what have you done to resale? By in large, classic guns lose value by installing chokes, UNLESS, it's Briley or Seminole. That's how respected they are, fairly or not. I mainly sent mine to Briley because I had one of 3 which was too thin of wall for anyone but Briley. In turn, I made 3 closet queens into shooters. Not trying to take anything away from R&D as he's got an excellent rep (at least here in the west). Just saying how I've seen the market respond. On a field auto/pump or knock-off O/U, I'd probably go for the cheapest option which also had confidence.

[Thefeeder]

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There are plenty of of fixed choke guns for the game of Skeet.....they are for the most part factory choked at Skeet/ Skeet. Cylinder/ IC choked field gun are also a good choice.


If your hunting shotgun has interchangale chokes, I would advise to buy a Skeet or Cylinder choke tube and use the same gun. There is a lot to be said in using a gun that you are already used to and can hit with. Using the same gun will have you getting better at the game faster.


I see your in the south bay......make a trip up to San Francisco for one of the Skeet Clinics

[wjc]

There are plenty of of fixed choke guns for the game of Skeet.....they are for the most part factory choked at Skeet/ Skeet. Cylinder/ IC choked field gun are also a good choice.


If your hunting shotgun has interchangale chokes, I would advise to buy a Skeet or Cylinder choke tube and use the same gun. There is a lot to be said in using a gun that you are already used to and can hit with. Using the same gun will have you getting better at the game faster.


I see your in the south bay......make a trip up to San Francisco for one of the Skeet Clinics

I already practice plenty with the hunting shotgun (Beretta AL390 Ulrika, 28" barrel with interchangeable chokes). I'm looking for an over/under for when I just want to blast clays...period.

How weird is that?

[wjc]

Thanks again for all the good advice. I'll look around some more...