The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Quick question re: slugs in choked barrels

PDBreske · December 9, 2008, 10:31 AM

My father has an old 20ga bolt action (can't remember the manufacturer right this minute) and three choke tubes marked IC (Improved cylinder), M (Modified), and F (Full).

He would like to fire some slugs through this gun, but isn't sure if firing through one of the chokes is safe.

I just read in another thread that firing slugs through an unchoked barrel could ruin the choke threads, but this particular gun has the threads on the outside of the barrel, so that wouldn't be an issue, although he has also wondered if firing with no choke installed is somehow bad for the barrel.

So, can a shotgun be fired safely with no choke tube installed (provided the threads aren't in harm's way), and if so, can slugs be fired through the unchoked barrel?

Thanks!

December 9, 2008, 10:31 AM	#1
PDBreske Junior member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Posts: 171	Quick question re: slugs in choked barrels My father has an old 20ga bolt action (can't remember the manufacturer right this minute) and three choke tubes marked IC (Improved cylinder), M (Modified), and F (Full). He would like to fire some slugs through this gun, but isn't sure if firing through one of the chokes is safe. I just read in another thread that firing slugs through an unchoked barrel could ruin the choke threads, but this particular gun has the threads on the outside of the barrel, so that wouldn't be an issue, although he has also wondered if firing with no choke installed is somehow bad for the barrel. So, can a shotgun be fired safely with no choke tube installed (provided the threads aren't in harm's way), and if so, can slugs be fired through the unchoked barrel? Thanks!