Shotgun choke question

CLC · March 17, 2013, 12:17 AM

Recently bought a choke for my mossberg 835 and it says not to use steel shot. This might be a dumb question but would all boxes of shells state "steel" on it? A couple of boxes I have say unplated, would this be ok to shoot through this choke? Also, what could be the potential damage to the shotgun/choke if I used steel shot?

http://www.basspro.com/Carlsons-Coyo...product/94900/

This is the tube I bought.

Virginian · March 17, 2013, 06:48 AM

The gun will be fine, but some choke tubes are made for steel and some aren't. Steel shells will say steel on the box. If you shoot steel, the smart money says to use a steel rated choke tube. Go browse around on Midway's site and you will see plenty of choices. Although you didn't ask, more $s for a tube means more money in someone else's pocket a lot more than it means better patterns in my opinion.

MTSCMike · March 17, 2013, 07:47 AM

It is probably a really tight choke like an extra-full or similar restriction. Steel shot won't compress like lead will. Much like chokes that warn against shooting slugs through them, steel or slugs through very tight chokes can cause damage to the choke or may even produce over-pressure in the barrel.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and enjoy the new choke.

Virginian · March 17, 2013, 09:52 AM

Rifled slugs are perfectly safe thru any choke. They may not be the most accurate, but no danger.

CLC · March 17, 2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Although you didn't ask, more $s for a tube means more money in someone else's pocket a lot more than it means better patterns in my opinion.

Yeah I kinda bought it on a whim. I'm just trying to get the most out of my 835 until I can get a real coyote rifle. Wont be able to shoot it for a little bit, can i expect to get the advertised 70 yrds out of it?

BigD_in_FL · March 17, 2013, 11:54 AM

Being described as a coyote choke good to 70 yards would seem to indicate a really tight constriction; therefore the warning against steel. Steel is better in a choke typically no tighter than Modified.

One thing, porting on a choke is a waste of money as it does nothing for performance; extended chokes are nice because they can be easily changed or identified.

As to more expensive chokes not being worth more - that would depend. There are chokes made from titanium, aluminum/ceramics, and other new materials that make them lighter, easier to clean, etc. Whether they alter your performance enough to matter is something only you can decide

80viking · March 18, 2013, 02:54 PM

"One thing, porting on a choke is a waste of money as it does nothing for performance; extended chokes are nice because they can be easily changed or identified."

I always thought that the benefit from a ported choke was that it slowed down the wad for an earlier and cleaner separation from the shot, which would result in better patterning.

BigD_in_FL · March 18, 2013, 03:23 PM

Nope, it just has more holes to clean,; besides, I would want my wad to stay with the charge longer in order to give me a tighter pattern at greater distance

CLC · March 18, 2013, 06:28 PM

Thanks for all the help.What would be a good shot size to go along with this choke for coyotes? Im thinking a 3-3 1/2 inch turkey load? We can use #4 buckshot in PA but im having a hard time finding some.

BigD_in_FL · March 18, 2013, 09:22 PM

There, I can't help you - when I hunted coyotes out West, I used a rifle. In ND, we used 223, in NV we used 6mm BR

March 17, 2013, 12:17 AM	#1
CLC Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 603	Shotgun choke question Recently bought a choke for my mossberg 835 and it says not to use steel shot. This might be a dumb question but would all boxes of shells state "steel" on it? A couple of boxes I have say unplated, would this be ok to shoot through this choke? Also, what could be the potential damage to the shotgun/choke if I used steel shot? http://www.basspro.com/Carlsons-Coyo...product/94900/ This is the tube I bought. __________________ In god we trust, all others must pay cash.

March 17, 2013, 07:47 AM	#3
MTSCMike Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Middle TN Posts: 164	It is probably a really tight choke like an extra-full or similar restriction. Steel shot won't compress like lead will. Much like chokes that warn against shooting slugs through them, steel or slugs through very tight chokes can cause damage to the choke or may even produce over-pressure in the barrel. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations and enjoy the new choke. __________________ IDPA Member A00640 Founding Charter Member - Middle Tennessee Shooter's Club

March 18, 2013, 06:28 PM	#9
CLC Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 603	Thanks for all the help.What would be a good shot size to go along with this choke for coyotes? Im thinking a 3-3 1/2 inch turkey load? We can use #4 buckshot in PA but im having a hard time finding some. __________________ In god we trust, all others must pay cash.

March 17, 2013, 06:48 AM	#2
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	The gun will be fine, but some choke tubes are made for steel and some aren't. Steel shells will say steel on the box. If you shoot steel, the smart money says to use a steel rated choke tube. Go browse around on Midway's site and you will see plenty of choices. Although you didn't ask, more $s for a tube means more money in someone else's pocket a lot more than it means better patterns in my opinion.

March 17, 2013, 09:52 AM	#4
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	Rifled slugs are perfectly safe thru any choke. They may not be the most accurate, but no danger.

March 17, 2013, 11:54 AM	#6
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Being described as a coyote choke good to 70 yards would seem to indicate a really tight constriction; therefore the warning against steel. Steel is better in a choke typically no tighter than Modified. One thing, porting on a choke is a waste of money as it does nothing for performance; extended chokes are nice because they can be easily changed or identified. As to more expensive chokes not being worth more - that would depend. There are chokes made from titanium, aluminum/ceramics, and other new materials that make them lighter, easier to clean, etc. Whether they alter your performance enough to matter is something only you can decide

March 18, 2013, 02:54 PM	#7
80viking Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: The Peoples Republic of Massac Posts: 333	"One thing, porting on a choke is a waste of money as it does nothing for performance; extended chokes are nice because they can be easily changed or identified." I always thought that the benefit from a ported choke was that it slowed down the wad for an earlier and cleaner separation from the shot, which would result in better patterning.

March 18, 2013, 03:23 PM	#8
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	Nope, it just has more holes to clean,; besides, I would want my wad to stay with the charge longer in order to give me a tighter pattern at greater distance

March 18, 2013, 09:22 PM	#10
BigD_in_FL Junior member Join Date: December 20, 2012 Location: The "Gunshine State" Posts: 1,981	There, I can't help you - when I hunted coyotes out West, I used a rifle. In ND, we used 223, in NV we used 6mm BR