Chokes for Sporting.

[Salopian]

The DT11 topic was in danger of being sidetracked talking about choke constriction, so I thought I would start a new topic.

Sporting targets are now being presented very well to test the ability of the shooter and their gun.

Now we are, I think all aware of the properties and abilities of various chokes and shot size.

So can I start a debate, what do you think is the right approach for Sporting? A pair of 3/4 in both barrels for everything except rabbits. 1/2 & 1/2 for everything. Multichoke and twiddle on every stand. 1/4 & 1/2?

Years ago I shot a 3800 Trap with 3/4 & Full, Brian Hebditch asked me why? Although he agreed that I shot it well but thought I was overchoked, AJ Smith used similar choke but settled on 1/2 & 1/2 later in life.

I recently shot a multichoke, but found it very distracting and didn't give me confidence, worrying too much what choke and shot combination took my mind off the real task in hand.

Over to you, what are your thoughts?

 

[** Pending Removal **]

3/4 and full.

 

[Darkside]

3/4 and full.

Says the trap shooter

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Says the trap shooter

Thought you were in Bulgaria? Have they got tinternet there then ??

P.s. I shoot anything except skeet .

 

[chippy]

Mostly 1/4 and 1/4

chippy

 

[Darkside]

1/2 1/2 for almost everything at FITASC.

Whatever I feel appropriate for sporting, changing the choke gives me an excuse not to watch the guys in front and their misses/bad habits.......I also use it to focus my mind on the targets I'm about to shoot.

 

[Will Hewland]

Half and half. Firstly, I won't get into a head-spin about choke changing ( mine are fixed). Secondly there is a big variation in spread between different cartridges, so from half choke I can get a very tight or fairly open spread just with ammo.

There is too much talked about choke IMO as cartridges are a bigger variant. You always hear shooters talking about '8's and 7's' as if that alone decides pattern size. Anybody who religiously changes chokes, but also uses various cartridges is into random territory.

 

[Robo]

1/2 and 3/4 ( fixed) in my MK 38 ... And 3/8 and 1/2 ( multi ) In Gold E

I favor the fixed choke in the Mk 38 for most of my sporting shooting , the MK38 has 30" barrels and Gold E has 32" barrels .

 

[Darkside]

Late plane, waiting to board!!!

 

[** Pending Removal **]

Half and half. Firstly, I won't get into a head-spin about choke changing ( mine are fixed). Secondly there is a big variation in spread between different cartridges, so from half choke I can get a very tight or fairly open spread just with ammo.

There is too much talked about choke IMO as cartridges are a bigger variant. You always hear shooters talking about '8's and 7's' as if that alone decides pattern size. Anybody who religiously changes chokes, but also uses various cartridges is into random territory.

Oh please don't get onto 'steel'!!

 

[ExSCA]

Half and Half for me, personally - I'm not good or experienced enough to see much difference...

 

[Will Hewland]

Half and Half for me, personally - I'm not good or experienced enough to see much difference...

Me neither, but I like to spin a yarn. )

 

[Darkside]

1/2 1/2 for almost everything at FITASC.

Whatever I feel appropriate for sporting, changing the choke gives me an excuse not to watch the guys in front and their misses/bad habits.......I also use it to focus my mind on the targets I'm about to shoot.

Just to add, I only shoot 1 gun, for everything from clays, pigeons, ducks, geese.......the lot!!!

 

[Will Hewland]

Oh please don't get onto 'steel'!!

I've only ever used the heavy stuff. Couldn't possibly comment!

 

[sscottsmith1234]

3/4 and 1/2 mostly, occasionally stuff a skeet choke in if its an end of barrel floppy target.

 

[Mark Jones]

I change mine every stand if i feel the need to. I have not changed my cartridge brand for the last 15000 rounds and spent a morning on the pattern plate when I first got the gun..........interestingly it didn't matter what choke I used on the pattern plate, I hit it every time with no gap big enough in the pattern for another pattern plate to sneak through!!!!

 

[Chard]

1/4 and 3/8 and a barrel selector switch <_<

More than enough for 99% of sporting targets and no twiddling.....

 

[FieldandClay]

3/8 and 3/8 optima choke works very well if pointed in the right direction.

 

[EdSolomons]

Most would be best off having fixed half in both barrels and only shooting 1 shell. Put the focus where it needs to be- on getting the shot laid out right.