20 gauge choke tubes

new_camper · May 19, 2013, 09:19 AM

Just got a 20 ga 870 pump and only have a modified choke for it. I plan on using it for rabbit, squirrel, home defense, and possibly turkey. I would like to get into dove and grouse hunting, but that is currently beyond my abilities I think. I would also possibly use it for groundhog/woodchuck extermination around the barn where range is limited. What choke tubes would I need for the above?

Pahoo · May 19, 2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

What choke tubes would I need for the above?

Well, I guess I would have to ask if you really want to get caught up with switching choke tubes, in an effort to fine tune your shooting? With all that you want to do, the tube you have would give you fairly good performance, just change your shot. I would get a FULL and as a stretch, X-Full or Turkey. One good polnt, is that Rem chokes are readily available and resonable. ...

I can recall, when money was tight, that I shot everything with a Modified. ..

Be Safe !!!

new_camper · May 19, 2013, 11:31 AM

Changing doesn't matter to me but if modified would serve most purposes then I will just keep it in the barrel. So the rem chokes are good for extra full, that was going to be my next question but you beat me to it

.

One more thing, can steel be shot through a extra full? I know lead is preferred for its density, but just in case I get in a pinch and don't have lead.

BigD_in_FL · May 19, 2013, 11:40 AM

Skeet or IC for close work, Light Mod or Mod for medium work, Improved Mod or Full for distance.

Then, focus on your target, NOT the bead

"Head on the stock, eye on the rock", and keep the gun moving - success is yours

Bake · May 19, 2013, 02:17 PM

Pattern at the distances you will be shooting at...

BigJimP · May 19, 2013, 05:57 PM

You cannot shoot Steel ....in any choke tighter than a Modified...or you risk damaging the barrel.

new_camper · May 19, 2013, 06:56 PM

Thanks BigJim.

In general do extra full chokes preform better than full with lead shot, or are they too tight and deform the pellets too much?

BigD_in_FL · May 19, 2013, 07:34 PM

Depends on your gun and the ammo - many will start to have more open patterns - the so-called " doughnut effect" where the core is non-existent and the pellets go wider; others can pattern very tightly.

The pattern plate is your friend in that regard

Virginian · May 20, 2013, 04:15 AM

If the choke tube says Full - Lead or Steel, you can shoot steel safely thru it. Remington makes a Full flush tube - they were the very first to do that - in 12 gauge, and I have shot a many a steel, tungsten-iron, you-name-it thru those. Steel does generally pattern a little better than lead because it is harder, but it responds to chokes exactly the same way.

BigD_in_FL · May 20, 2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Steel does generally pattern a little better than lead because it is harder, but it responds to chokes exactly the same way.

Somewhat - typically, a choke that throws a Mod pattern with lead, will throw an IC pattern with steel - been this way since choke tubes and steel shot have been around

BigJimP · May 20, 2013, 12:29 PM

You have to go to a pattern board to see what you're getting for a pattern out of a specific brand of shell with a specifc load (1 oz of 8's may pattern differently than 1 1/4oz of 4's ) - with your gun - and that specific choke.

It makes no sense to me, that any company, could market one choke that says its Full with Lead or Steel .../ and expect it to perform the same ( I'm not saying they didn't do it )....I just don't believe one choke will give you that kind of performance when Steel will not compress going thru the choke in the gun the way lead will.

Most of the literature on choke usage ....will tell you that shooting Steel thru a choke tighter than Modified...(because steel will not compress going thru the choke ) could result in a barrel bulge just to the rear of the choke. In effect what they're saying is a Modified Choke is to be treated as a Full choke for Steel. Some gun mfg's like Browning will mark their Modified chokes ( as Mod for Lead / Full for Steel)...some won't .../ but that's the guideline I've always used.

Remember - back in the day - we hunted waterfowl with Lead ( before we really understood all the risks of lead shot )...and put lead in paint, asbestos in pipe and vent insulation, etc..../ now we know better..

Browning first introduced - changeable screw in chokes ( old Invector System in 1983 )...so this whole screw in choke's concept is relatively new...and that's why you still see a lot of older guns with fixed chokes.

new_camper · May 20, 2013, 01:15 PM

Ok, so a good rule of thumb is no steel through anything tighter than modified regardless of what the choke tube is rated. Thanks

Old Grump · May 20, 2013, 02:28 PM

Steel won't be a problem unless you are shooting water fowl or are in certain states (California comes to mind), where lead is restricted in some areas. Modern chokes have a longer gradual taper and will accept steel so it's not a big concern. My latest shotgun purchase was made in 64 and has a full choke so lead is contraindicated. My 20 gauges come in M, IM and F and the best all around shooter is the one with the IM choke. I use it for everything from squirrel to turkey to deer. From #7 1/2 to #4 to slugs I can't ask for a better choke for the way I shoot. Not so good with 00 but your gun may differ. Only way to tell is stick one in and try at 15, 30 and 45 yards and see how it does at normal shooting distances. It will also narrow down your shot choices when you find the one that works particularly well in your gun.

chewie146 · May 22, 2013, 04:41 PM

OP, I sent you a PM. I have a turkey choke for an 870 20 gauge that you can have. It was an accidental order that I never bothered to send back. I needed the 12 gauge, and picked the wrong one on buds.

new_camper · May 22, 2013, 05:31 PM

Thanks Chewie, I sent you a pm

May 19, 2013, 09:19 AM	#1
new_camper Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 128	20 gauge choke tubes Just got a 20 ga 870 pump and only have a modified choke for it. I plan on using it for rabbit, squirrel, home defense, and possibly turkey. I would like to get into dove and grouse hunting, but that is currently beyond my abilities I think. I would also possibly use it for groundhog/woodchuck extermination around the barn where range is limited. What choke tubes would I need for the above?

May 20, 2013, 02:28 PM	#13
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Steel won't be a problem unless you are shooting water fowl or are in certain states (California comes to mind), where lead is restricted in some areas. Modern chokes have a longer gradual taper and will accept steel so it's not a big concern. My latest shotgun purchase was made in 64 and has a full choke so lead is contraindicated. My 20 gauges come in M, IM and F and the best all around shooter is the one with the IM choke. I use it for everything from squirrel to turkey to deer. From #7 1/2 to #4 to slugs I can't ask for a better choke for the way I shoot. Not so good with 00 but your gun may differ. Only way to tell is stick one in and try at 15, 30 and 45 yards and see how it does at normal shooting distances. It will also narrow down your shot choices when you find the one that works particularly well in your gun. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

May 19, 2013, 11:31 AM	#3
new_camper Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 128	Changing doesn't matter to me but if modified would serve most purposes then I will just keep it in the barrel. So the rem chokes are good for extra full, that was going to be my next question but you beat me to it . One more thing, can steel be shot through a extra full? I know lead is preferred for its density, but just in case I get in a pinch and don't have lead.

May 19, 2013, 11:40 AM	#4
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Skeet or IC for close work, Light Mod or Mod for medium work, Improved Mod or Full for distance. Then, focus on your target, NOT the bead "Head on the stock, eye on the rock", and keep the gun moving - success is yours

May 19, 2013, 02:17 PM	#5
Bake Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Posts: 482	Pattern at the distances you will be shooting at...

May 19, 2013, 05:57 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	You cannot shoot Steel ....in any choke tighter than a Modified...or you risk damaging the barrel.

May 19, 2013, 06:56 PM	#7
new_camper Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 128	Thanks BigJim. In general do extra full chokes preform better than full with lead shot, or are they too tight and deform the pellets too much?

May 19, 2013, 07:34 PM	#8
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Depends on your gun and the ammo - many will start to have more open patterns - the so-called " doughnut effect" where the core is non-existent and the pellets go wider; others can pattern very tightly. The pattern plate is your friend in that regard

May 20, 2013, 04:15 AM	#9
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	If the choke tube says Full - Lead or Steel, you can shoot steel safely thru it. Remington makes a Full flush tube - they were the very first to do that - in 12 gauge, and I have shot a many a steel, tungsten-iron, you-name-it thru those. Steel does generally pattern a little better than lead because it is harder, but it responds to chokes exactly the same way.

May 20, 2013, 12:29 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	You have to go to a pattern board to see what you're getting for a pattern out of a specific brand of shell with a specifc load (1 oz of 8's may pattern differently than 1 1/4oz of 4's ) - with your gun - and that specific choke. It makes no sense to me, that any company, could market one choke that says its Full with Lead or Steel .../ and expect it to perform the same ( I'm not saying they didn't do it )....I just don't believe one choke will give you that kind of performance when Steel will not compress going thru the choke in the gun the way lead will. Most of the literature on choke usage ....will tell you that shooting Steel thru a choke tighter than Modified...(because steel will not compress going thru the choke ) could result in a barrel bulge just to the rear of the choke. In effect what they're saying is a Modified Choke is to be treated as a Full choke for Steel. Some gun mfg's like Browning will mark their Modified chokes ( as Mod for Lead / Full for Steel)...some won't .../ but that's the guideline I've always used. Remember - back in the day - we hunted waterfowl with Lead ( before we really understood all the risks of lead shot )...and put lead in paint, asbestos in pipe and vent insulation, etc..../ now we know better.. Browning first introduced - changeable screw in chokes ( old Invector System in 1983 )...so this whole screw in choke's concept is relatively new...and that's why you still see a lot of older guns with fixed chokes.

May 20, 2013, 01:15 PM	#12
new_camper Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 128	Ok, so a good rule of thumb is no steel through anything tighter than modified regardless of what the choke tube is rated. Thanks

May 22, 2013, 04:41 PM	#14
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	OP, I sent you a PM. I have a turkey choke for an 870 20 gauge that you can have. It was an accidental order that I never bothered to send back. I needed the 12 gauge, and picked the wrong one on buds.

May 22, 2013, 05:31 PM	#15
new_camper Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 128	Thanks Chewie, I sent you a pm