OT-Remington SxS choke question..

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:32 pm

I really don't like to ask you folks about such off-topic things as a shotgun so for this I apologize but I think that you might be the only ones who can help me with this.

I came across an old Remington either an 1894 or a 1900 SxS the other day in 16 guage and I can't figure out what choke the tubes are in. Its in good shape and on the water table, both barrels are marked XYA. I figured it was some sort of code for choke so I looked all over the internet and could not find anything on these particular markings. I don't have a choke guage for 16 so if anybody knows what XYA means or even what the full choke inside measurement would be for 16 guage, I would sure appreciate it.

Thanks to all who can help. By the way, I am not sure which particular model this is but the serial # is Q301xxx.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:56 pm

Wish I could help you more than to just say, Congrats on a fine shotgun! I don't think I've held or shot a finer shotgun than the Remington 1900 in 16 Gauge. I had one for a "golden summer" and it was stolen from my Uncles house shortly thereafter. Sure wish I had that gun back!

86er · Post by **86er** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:17 pm

Your barrel should be around .662 inside diameter in front of the forcing cones. Based on that, here are the restrictions:

Skeet (.005") = .657"
Improved Cylinder (.010") = .652"
Light Modified (.015") = .647"
Modified (.020") = .642"
Improved Modified (.025") = .637"
Lite Full (.030") = .632"
Full (.035") = .627"
Xtra Full (.040") = .622"

Choke is the difference between the bore diameter and constriction, so measure the bore diameter first and then measure about 1 1/2 inches in from the muzzle. Figure out the constriction and you have your choke.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:23 pm

check the stamping on the flats of the receiver
you have to take the gun apart to do this...

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:30 pm

Bore demensions will only get you close. If you want to know what the true choke is you will need to shoot it.

How choke is determined. Choke is determined for all shotguns by the amount of shot it delivers within a 30" circle at 40yds.
(1) Cylinder bore-40%
(2) Improved cylinder-50%
(3) Modified-60%
(4) Full-70%

But keep in mind, two identical loads from to different ammo makers can pattern diferent.

Here's some good info if you want to shoot it to determine the choke.

Shotgun Shot Patterning

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:34 pm

Also, just as a rule of thumb, based on my experience with old side by sides, most were bored Full and Modifed, with the full barrel on the left and the more open barrel on the right. Some were full and full, and a few were modifed and improved cylinder, but the old timers usually liked tighter chokes.

Also those old guns will shoot even tighter with modern ammo, sometimes too tight. Normally the cheaper promotional ammo will shoot a more open pattern. Remember these old guns were designed before the modern plastic wad was invented. They were made to shoot fiber wads.

I love old side by sides and hunt with them often. I have an old L.C. Smith, I use and also an old J.P. Sauer. And my brother in laws uses an old Parker. I also have two Winchester 23's. We have found that a day afield with any of those fine doubles, is a much richer experience then using modern over and unders or semi-autos.

morgan in nm · Post by **morgan in nm** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:06 pm

Mystery solved. Thanks to all who replied. It appears that the left tube is full and the right is modified. I usually don't buy shotguns but at $250 for an old remington, I couldn't resist. It has about 30%CCH and the rest is a plum-brown color. Now hopefully, I will find some excuse to drag it out next time I go bird hunting.

I really appreciate the information from all of you folks, Thank you, Morgan.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:45 pm

I'd say you just about stole that Remington. I'll give you 275.00 for it so you can clear your concience.

Yodar · Post by **Yodar** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:26 pm

Morgan,

The best way to determine what sort of patterns your shotgun will throw is to pattern it with the loads you intend to use. Just becasue a shotgun barrel has a certain degree of contriction, it doesn't mean it will necessarily pattern accordingly. Also, by patterning it you can tell where it centers its patterns. I once was considering the purchase of a nice L.C. Smith trap gun. When I patterned it I found the right barrel patterned right on and and left barrel patterned about 9 inches low and 9 inches left of where it was pointed. I didn't buy the gun.

If you want to see a really elegent Remington side-by-side, EEO Grade, see if you can find a copy of the Winter, 1999 issue of "The Double Gun Journal" and look on page 87.

I like old double barrel shotguns too. I have an E grade LeFever (re-stocked) with two sets of barrels, An early A grade A.H. Fox (restored) with three sets of barrels, and an L.C. Smith Trap grade (all original). All are 12 gauge. Eventhough I do most of my trap shooting with a Winchester Model 12, I enjoy taking one of the doubles out every now and then for a day at the range.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:59 am

Yodar, unless a complete idiot had opened the chokes on that LC Smith and got one completely out of line with the bore you may of been able to bring that off barrel back to point of aim.
If you file just abit at a time from the muzzle you can steer the shot to where you want.
As you described it shooting 9"left and 9" low that would mean that as you look at the muzzle taking a few strokes of a file at the 4-5 oclock position of the muzzle. NOT much, just a few strokes and then try it to see the effect.
I had to do this with a M/L of mine, worked a treat

Nath.

Hairy Clipper · Post by **Hairy Clipper** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:48 am

BEWARE! It may have 2 5/8" chambers...measure them, too!

Hairy

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:16 am

[BEWARE! It may have 2 5/8" chambers...measure them, too! ]

Amen ! Just because 2 & 3/4" ammo chambers, doesn't mean it's the correct ammo for the chamber.

Most older 16's are chambered for cartridges shorter than 2 & 3/4" (2 & 7/16 or 9/16", 2 & 5/8", etc), and when that longer shell is fired in them. the forward part of the shell/crimp doesn't lie flat in the chamber to allow the easy passage of the shot charge - instead lying partially in the forcing cones, thereby raising pressures.
While the gun will most likely survive such shooting for awhile, it's very stressful on 100+ year-old steels.
I wouldn't even shoot a Damascus twist barreled gun without special low-powered loads and a "barrel ring" exam for internal rusty spots that could blow out, or a Briley-type liner.