To Tube or not to Tube?

OkieCruffler · September 22, 2014, 02:04 AM

Okay, so after 30 years of shooting a SXS I have finally started to use an O/U as my goto gun. I have this cherry little Citori, 28" barrels fixed Mod over IC. It swings the way I want and I actually like it. But I would like to be able to throw some skeet tubes in it and now there are many sporting clay opportunities in the area. My options are to send it to have it fitted for chokes at a cost of around $250 total, or trade it against a gun that already has tubes. The only advantage of trading it is that I wouldn't mind downsizing from this 12 to a 20.

eastbank · September 22, 2014, 05:08 AM

mike orlen will put tubes in it for under 200.00 and it would add value to your citori.but if you would like a smaller gage trade your citori in or better yet just buy another shotgun. win,win. eastbank.

Dreaming100Straight · September 22, 2014, 01:14 PM

If you want to reload, just reload your 12 gauge shot shells for 7/8 ounces of shot and in effect you are shooting a 20 gauge. That is unless you want a 20 for some other reason than the ballistics.

BigJimP · September 22, 2014, 01:22 PM

Having changeable screw in choke tubes is an advantage...and makes a gun more versatile...

( Full length sub gague tube sets....are different animals )....
---------------
Personally I would keep a 12ga ....and shoot 1 oz or 7/8 oz loads in it vs going to a stand alone 20ga. I like heavier guns ...and too often the 20ga's are about a full pound lighter....

Blindstitch · September 22, 2014, 06:29 PM

Personally I would rent one of what you want if possible and try it first. If it works right buy a new or used gun in whatever you want and then decide on the current gun you have.

You don't want to regret selling something without knowing if what you think you want will actually do the job for you.

OkieCruffler · September 22, 2014, 11:03 PM

I'm loading a light 3/4oz load in the 12 right now anyway. I have some weird clotting issue that rears it's ugly head if I shoot much heavier than that. I already know the Citori fits me and I like those shorter barrels. If I were to trade it I'd end up spending way over what I would spend having this one tubed. Seems like that is the logical way to go.

Virginian · September 23, 2014, 06:08 AM

I don't know if Mike has the tooling to install tubes in a Citori or not, but if he does that is THE way to go. Briley can certainly do it, but they are a bit more expensive. Well installed choke tubes are to me almost a necessity in any gun I intend to use for a lot of things. Of course it gives the traditionalists hives.

OkieCruffler · September 23, 2014, 06:46 AM

I'm sure Mike could do it. I was actually leaning toward Carlson since I can get it threaded and 3 choke tubes for $190+shipping and I've had them do a couple of things for me in the past.

September 22, 2014, 02:04 AM	#1
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	To Tube or not to Tube? Okay, so after 30 years of shooting a SXS I have finally started to use an O/U as my goto gun. I have this cherry little Citori, 28" barrels fixed Mod over IC. It swings the way I want and I actually like it. But I would like to be able to throw some skeet tubes in it and now there are many sporting clay opportunities in the area. My options are to send it to have it fitted for chokes at a cost of around $250 total, or trade it against a gun that already has tubes. The only advantage of trading it is that I wouldn't mind downsizing from this 12 to a 20. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

September 22, 2014, 01:14 PM	#3
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	If you want to reload, just reload your 12 gauge shot shells for 7/8 ounces of shot and in effect you are shooting a 20 gauge. That is unless you want a 20 for some other reason than the ballistics. Last edited by Dreaming100Straight; September 22, 2014 at 01:21 PM.

September 22, 2014, 11:03 PM	#6
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I'm loading a light 3/4oz load in the 12 right now anyway. I have some weird clotting issue that rears it's ugly head if I shoot much heavier than that. I already know the Citori fits me and I like those shorter barrels. If I were to trade it I'd end up spending way over what I would spend having this one tubed. Seems like that is the logical way to go. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

September 23, 2014, 06:08 AM	#7
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I don't know if Mike has the tooling to install tubes in a Citori or not, but if he does that is THE way to go. Briley can certainly do it, but they are a bit more expensive. Well installed choke tubes are to me almost a necessity in any gun I intend to use for a lot of things. Of course it gives the traditionalists hives. __________________ What could have happened... did.

September 23, 2014, 06:46 AM	#8
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I'm sure Mike could do it. I was actually leaning toward Carlson since I can get it threaded and 3 choke tubes for $190+shipping and I've had them do a couple of things for me in the past. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

September 22, 2014, 05:08 AM	#2
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	mike orlen will put tubes in it for under 200.00 and it would add value to your citori.but if you would like a smaller gage trade your citori in or better yet just buy another shotgun. win,win. eastbank.

September 22, 2014, 01:22 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Having changeable screw in choke tubes is an advantage...and makes a gun more versatile... ( Full length sub gague tube sets....are different animals ).... --------------- Personally I would keep a 12ga ....and shoot 1 oz or 7/8 oz loads in it vs going to a stand alone 20ga. I like heavier guns ...and too often the 20ga's are about a full pound lighter....

September 22, 2014, 06:29 PM	#5
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,692	Personally I would rent one of what you want if possible and try it first. If it works right buy a new or used gun in whatever you want and then decide on the current gun you have. You don't want to regret selling something without knowing if what you think you want will actually do the job for you.