What choke is best for buckshot?

[Jason_W]

I want to start experimenting with different buckshot loads (bought a shotshell loader with some wedding money). I know most people use an open choke for close up defensive work, but will a full or modified buy a little extra range?

[Cliff]

Well everyone has an opinion, so heres mine.
I have had my best luck with a modified,28 inch barrel with double ought 00 buck shot. Now that being said, each gun can be different. I have had good luck with a 20" barreled Ithica with a very tight full choke, but found #4 buck was the best. Open ie. Cylinder and improved cyclinder bores seem close to the modified. You can probably get better results with quality made buck shot, using a shotbuffer, in plastic wad, or plastic sleeve. This seems to hold together a bit better. There is a lot of variables which come into play all along the way with buck shot loadings. Larger buck shot travels a bit further but you don't gain too much. I would suggest, some effort in cutting the forcing cone in the front of the chamber, it is claimed to reduce recoil, lessen deformation of the shot etc. I have found good ammunition is good for about 40 or 50 yards, but the spread is getting large by then. Pentatration is better with triple ought 000 buck, but less pellets unless you go to three and half inch shells. Now days a lot of talks puts max effective spread about 25 to 30 yards. Having said all of this I am sure there is a lot of others out there that know a lot more than I do. Good Luck on your endevor.

[C. Cash]

I know most people use an open choke for close up defensive work, but will a full or modified buy a little extra range?

Poor Old Bill Doolin sure thought so, for about a 10/1000th of a second! He was shot with Heck Thomas's choked LC Smith Double.

Warning, graphic, not for kids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Doolinbody.png

The good news is, you can buy them in 5 packs, Rem or Win. and different lengths. I would just shoot them to see how they do through your gun. Sometimes you don't know what your gonna get, even in a shotgun, until you pull the trigger. Good luck Jason.

[Nath]

Personally I found modified or less gave best results but what did make a big difference was adding black tea as a buffer, you know, the stuff you guys tipped in the harbour, that stuff yeah
Can get in your eyes though if the wind is wrong!

Nath.

[MrMurphy]

I've generally shot cylinder or IC, modified does okay too.

Plated and buffered loads tend to get good tight patterns regardless of the choke.

[Tycer]

I have not notice much difference in 00 buck patterns as far as diameter goes, but pattern shape varies some depending on brand of ammo and choke selection.

[horsesoldier03]

I have a 12 ga JC Higgins that has a full choke and it shoots 00 just fine. I have only patterned it out to 50 yards but it does hold a nice tight pattern.

[Bear 45/70]

One thing you need to remember with buckshot. It is only a few large pellets and does not squish easily. So the lead pellets will deform and not fly striaght. This is why I like nothing tighter than Improved Cylinder.

[Tommy Reb]

I recently tested my Winchester 1200 riot gun with screw in chokes using 00 Buck Shot. I patterned improved cylinder, modified and full. The modified choke shot the tightests.

[Bear 45/70]

I recently tested my Winchester 1200 riot gun with screw in chokes using 00 Buck Shot. I patterned improved cylinder, modified and full. The modified choke shot the tightests.

Physics says the same thing without test firing.

[SFRanger7GP]

In my former occupation I tested a lot of shotguns and loads. There are no set in stone standards in my experience, but the more open chokes generally perform better with the larger sizes of buckshot. You have to pattern your gun with the loads you will use at the distances you plan on firing. That is the only way you can know for sure.

[jd45]

C. Cash, I vividly remember the picture of Doolin's body to this day..........he had 33-caliber holes all over, from neck to belly button & to both edges of his torso. What kind of choke do you suppose would produce a pattern like that? jd45

[C. Cash]

C. Cash, I vividly remember the picture of Doolin's body to this day..........he had 33-caliber holes all over, from neck to belly button & to both edges of his torso. What kind of choke do you suppose would produce a pattern like that? jd45

Ya know, it would be interesting to find out. The one pic I 've seen shows it clearly uncut with long barrels...an LC Smith. Is it in the Museum of the Great Plains or the Davis Museum? I'll let you know what I turn up plus the range would be interesting. That picture of Doolin always stuck with my too as a kid(I hyperlinked it in my first post). Looking at it I would just think "MMMMannnnn!" Heck sure did the job with that Double, and notice how all the holes are so evenly spaced it almost looks fake. Pattern reminds you of a "V". I'll let you know if I can turn up anything.

[jd45]

It appears that no less than four of em went thru his heart. Thanx, jd45

[ceb]

Several years back, thinking I was going to get into 3-gun shoots, I cut down a barrel for my 870 to 19" and added screw in chokes. In my admitted limited experience I found that a improved modified or modified choke gave the best patterns and the longest usable range from my gun. The more open chokes limited me to 20-25 yards max to keep all pellets on target while a bit more choke added another 5-10 yards. That is out of my gun, your mileage may be different.

[jd45]

Jason_W, getting back to the original question, IF you're gonna use the weapon inside the home, I've heard birdshot is much more forgiving in terms of causing injury to unintended targets & less damage to the walls & such, whereas doing a great job of stomping the perp right now. You might look into it. Just my two cents, jd45

[Buck Elliott]

For nasty, fanged & furry critters, I don't reckon you're gonna have much time to decide which choke would be best. At distances under 20 yards and closing, just pull all the triggers & hope for the best. One choke is as good as the next.

Don't panic --- There's plenty of time for that AFTER the fact, if you're still of a mind to be scared... Dead critters ain't nothin' to be a-feared of.

Remember: That which does not kill us only prolongs the inevitible...

[Bear 45/70]

Jason_W, getting back to the original question, IF you're gonna use the weapon inside the home, I've heard birdshot is much more forgiving in terms of causing injury to unintended targets & less damage to the walls & such, whereas doing a great job of stomping the perp right now. You might look into it. Just my two cents, jd45

Never ever use bird shot for self defense. It's called bird shot because it is make to kill fairly small Birds when compared to a human. #4 buck is a better man stopping choice without to much penetration. In a house you want as much dispersion of the shot as possible, so a cylinder bore is the choice in the house. Out in the field you need to change your chokes for varying conditions. When I shoot Sporting Clays I carry no less than 8 different chokes for varying shots. Those chokes would be;

Cylinder Bore
Skeet 1
Improved Cylinder
Skeet 2
Modified
Improved Modified
Full
Extra Full choke

The average hunter does not need more than an Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full.