Chokes for 20 gauge shotguns

Bucksnort1 · December 22, 2016, 12:18 PM

I have a Stevens model 67 shotgun in 20 gauge with changeable chokes. I have several chokes but not a cylinder bore choke. Can I use lead shot, size 7 or 8 without a choke in the barrel or would this damage the threads? With no choke, would the I.D. at the muzzle be the same as a cylinder choke? While I'm on this topic, which brand chokes will work in the Stevens?

FITASC · December 22, 2016, 12:27 PM

What chokes do you have now?

Bucksnort1 · December 22, 2016, 12:36 PM

Modified, full and improved. This year, I switched from a 12 gauge to this 20 for dove hunting. I do well with the 12 but not well with the 20. I patterned it with the improved choke and got a diameter of roughly 16". I want a wider spread with the shot.

FITASC · December 22, 2016, 12:38 PM

That patterned 16"@40 yards?

T. O'Heir · December 22, 2016, 01:01 PM

Lead isn't going to damage the threads, but it'll likely fill 'em with all kinds of crud. The diameter of the pattern isn't as important as the concentration of the shot either. A 16" diameter pattern full of holes a dove can fly through, isn't great.
Like FITASC says, that 16" at 40 yards?
Gunparts is listing 12 gauge tubes manufactured by KTG. There may not be a "cylinder" choke for a 67. It'd just be a thread protector anyway.

Bucksnort1 · December 22, 2016, 01:10 PM

It was roughly 16" at about 25 yards. I guess I should pattern at 40 yards, yes?

FITASC · December 22, 2016, 01:33 PM

That is the normal distance. If still too tight, you might try a different brand and loading to see if things change. "Shooting threads" generally will not cause damage using lead shot BUT powder residue, plastic, etc can get into those fine threads and make cleaning them a real PITA.

WIN71 · December 25, 2016, 02:30 AM

I'd say whatever distance you have been killing them with the 12 ga. is the distance you should pattern the 20 chokes at. I would suspect you won't change your style of shooting live birds because of a change of guns.
I patterned a 20 ga. fixed choke double that I was used to and a 28 ga. o/u with multiple chokes and came up with something that patterns the same as far as shooting over a pointer.

jmr40 · December 25, 2016, 07:42 AM

Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed

Most of the previous posters must have either not read all of your post of misread it. Doing this can damage your gun and could be dangerous. I can't help with which brand works on that gun. There are several different styles and often a brand made for one gun will work on others. Generally speaking since a 20 puts fewer pellets in each pattern I will use one choke tighter than I would with 12. An IC choke is normally as open as I like to go. But if you look around you may well be able to find a cyl, tube.

RaySendero · December 25, 2016, 08:18 AM

[quote]jmr40 wrote:
Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed
[quote]

I'll echo that advice:

Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed

FITASC · December 25, 2016, 08:55 AM

Lead and plastic are not harder than steel. Folks, including many pros, DO shoot threads now and again for a few shots. Yes, it is not the best thing to do, but damage is highly unlikely, whereas cleaning it up is. Is it better to buy a cylinder or skeet choke? Absolutely, but for a few shots, no biggie, for lead pellets. Using steel is altogether a different matter.

RaySendero · December 25, 2016, 08:56 AM

When I was coaching my son's pitching, He and I would begin working on:
a DON'T or
a technique change or
a new technique by quickly talking through the issue/problem.
We did this quickly to get to the/a solution(s) we wanted to try.

In your case, The simplest problem I see you describing is:
You can shoot better with your 12 ga than your 20 ga shotgun.

There can be several causes.
Most probable would be that the fit or balance of these 2 shotguns differ causing you to mount and hold each gun differently.

So...Do this simple check:
Take both guns and make sure they are UNLOADED.
Alternately, hold each gun in a "gun down" position where
the butt is about waist level and the top of the barrel is at eye level.
Pick a point and align the top of the barrel with that point.
Now, close your eyes and mount the gun.
Open your eyes and note where each gun is pointing.
Do this a few times with each gun.

If you find that one or the other blind/naturally mounts to a different aim point. Then you can "see" the problem and can work on it. If they both align to the aim point, then you can eliminate this possible cause and move onto the next most probable cause.

smee78 · December 25, 2016, 12:46 PM

I believe the Stevens guns take Winchester chokes.

RMcL · December 25, 2016, 11:27 PM

"Stevens 350, 67-E, 320 & 24F
Interchanges with Carlson's Winchester, Browning Invector & Mossberg 500 style threads."

http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-...ange-guide.php

BigJimP · December 26, 2016, 12:29 PM

I agree with FITASC's comments....

Is shooting a gun without a choke screwed into it smart...No !! (getting the plastic fouling out of the threads is a pain in the butt ).... and doing it - instead of spending $ 30 - $ 50 for a Cylinder choke... is as best foolish.

Is it Dangerous ...no...

olddrum1 · January 23, 2017, 03:34 AM

Improved choke at 25 yards should give you a 26 inch circle. Roughly. I am guessing you were closer or had a modified/full in at 25 yards. Anyone here tell me why you would shoot threads?

redrick · January 23, 2017, 07:37 AM

Look at Trulock chokes , he has the best warranty out there . If you do not like it , send it back within 60 days for a different one or your money back .

FITASC · January 23, 2017, 09:19 AM

ALL of the reputable makers make a good product. Extended ones are nice as you can easily see which one you have in and they can help to protect the muzzle better. Do NOT bother with the more expensive ported choke tubes as they do nothing but make them harder to clean. Pattern testing will let you know which one works well for you.

BigJimP · January 24, 2017, 12:00 AM

Olddrum, ...

In my opinion they shoot " threads " ....because they are too cheap to buy a Cylinder choke....there is no valid ballistic reason to shoot "threads"....

FITASC · January 24, 2017, 07:12 PM

I agree, BigJim - they most likely don't own one because they rarely ever see real close targets.

olddrum1 · January 25, 2017, 03:44 AM

Thanks guys.

Ricklin · January 25, 2017, 05:46 PM

I would not be concerned about damaging anything shooting W/O a choke tube.

I would worry about the muzzle getting bumped and banged. The steel is darned thin W/O the choke tube in place. Would not take much to damage the muzzle.

ShootistPRS · January 25, 2017, 08:57 PM

The 20 ga. will only shot a maximum of twe thirds the amount of shot in your pattern so the patterns will be less dense. I have and use both and with the 20 gauge I use a size tighter choke and have to be more precise shooting it.

Shooting lead through the bare threads will not damage the gun but it is a real pain to clean the threads.

You should pattern your shotgun at the ranges you typically use it. Dove are small and fast so getting on target fast and follow through is imperative. Check to see if there is someone who "fits" stocks. Having your shotgun fitted to you will not only give you more hits but it will also be more comfortable to shoot.

December 22, 2016, 12:18 PM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Chokes for 20 gauge shotguns I have a Stevens model 67 shotgun in 20 gauge with changeable chokes. I have several chokes but not a cylinder bore choke. Can I use lead shot, size 7 or 8 without a choke in the barrel or would this damage the threads? With no choke, would the I.D. at the muzzle be the same as a cylinder choke? While I'm on this topic, which brand chokes will work in the Stevens?

December 22, 2016, 12:27 PM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	What chokes do you have now? __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 22, 2016, 12:38 PM	#4
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	That patterned 16"@40 yards? __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 22, 2016, 01:01 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Lead isn't going to damage the threads, but it'll likely fill 'em with all kinds of crud. The diameter of the pattern isn't as important as the concentration of the shot either. A 16" diameter pattern full of holes a dove can fly through, isn't great. Like FITASC says, that 16" at 40 yards? Gunparts is listing 12 gauge tubes manufactured by KTG. There may not be a "cylinder" choke for a 67. It'd just be a thread protector anyway. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 22, 2016, 01:33 PM	#7
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	That is the normal distance. If still too tight, you might try a different brand and loading to see if things change. "Shooting threads" generally will not cause damage using lead shot BUT powder residue, plastic, etc can get into those fine threads and make cleaning them a real PITA. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 22, 2016, 12:36 PM	#3
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	Modified, full and improved. This year, I switched from a 12 gauge to this 20 for dove hunting. I do well with the 12 but not well with the 20. I patterned it with the improved choke and got a diameter of roughly 16". I want a wider spread with the shot.

December 22, 2016, 01:10 PM	#6
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,121	It was roughly 16" at about 25 yards. I guess I should pattern at 40 yards, yes?

December 25, 2016, 02:30 AM	#8
WIN71 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2005 Posts: 729	I'd say whatever distance you have been killing them with the 12 ga. is the distance you should pattern the 20 chokes at. I would suspect you won't change your style of shooting live birds because of a change of guns. I patterned a 20 ga. fixed choke double that I was used to and a 28 ga. o/u with multiple chokes and came up with something that patterns the same as far as shooting over a pointer. __________________ Air goes in and out. Blood goes 'round and 'round. Any variation on this is a very bad thing. 개인 정보를 보호하십시요

December 25, 2016, 07:42 AM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,803	Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed Most of the previous posters must have either not read all of your post of misread it. Doing this can damage your gun and could be dangerous. I can't help with which brand works on that gun. There are several different styles and often a brand made for one gun will work on others. Generally speaking since a 20 puts fewer pellets in each pattern I will use one choke tighter than I would with 12. An IC choke is normally as open as I like to go. But if you look around you may well be able to find a cyl, tube.

December 25, 2016, 08:18 AM	#10
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	[quote]jmr40 wrote: Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed [quote] I'll echo that advice: Do not fire ammo through the gun with no choke tube installed __________________ *Ray*

December 25, 2016, 08:55 AM	#11
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	Lead and plastic are not harder than steel. Folks, including many pros, DO shoot threads now and again for a few shots. Yes, it is not the best thing to do, but damage is highly unlikely, whereas cleaning it up is. Is it better to buy a cylinder or skeet choke? Absolutely, but for a few shots, no biggie, for lead pellets. Using steel is altogether a different matter. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 25, 2016, 08:56 AM	#12
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	When I was coaching my son's pitching, He and I would begin working on: a DON'T or a technique change or a new technique by quickly talking through the issue/problem. We did this quickly to get to the/a solution(s) we wanted to try. In your case, The simplest problem I see you describing is: You can shoot better with your 12 ga than your 20 ga shotgun. There can be several causes. Most probable would be that the fit or balance of these 2 shotguns differ causing you to mount and hold each gun differently. So...Do this simple check: Take both guns and make sure they are UNLOADED. Alternately, hold each gun in a "gun down" position where the butt is about waist level and the top of the barrel is at eye level. Pick a point and align the top of the barrel with that point. Now, close your eyes and mount the gun. Open your eyes and note where each gun is pointing. Do this a few times with each gun. If you find that one or the other blind/naturally mounts to a different aim point. Then you can "see" the problem and can work on it. If they both align to the aim point, then you can eliminate this possible cause and move onto the next most probable cause. __________________ *Ray*

December 25, 2016, 12:46 PM	#13
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I believe the Stevens guns take Winchester chokes. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

December 25, 2016, 11:27 PM	#14
RMcL Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 273	"Stevens 350, 67-E, 320 & 24F Interchanges with Carlson's Winchester, Browning Invector & Mossberg 500 style threads." http://www.choketube.com/choke-tube-...ange-guide.php

December 26, 2016, 12:29 PM	#15
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I agree with FITASC's comments.... Is shooting a gun without a choke screwed into it smart...No !! (getting the plastic fouling out of the threads is a pain in the butt ).... and doing it - instead of spending $ 30 - $ 50 for a Cylinder choke... is as best foolish. Is it Dangerous ...no...

January 23, 2017, 03:34 AM	#16
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Improved choke at 25 yards should give you a 26 inch circle. Roughly. I am guessing you were closer or had a modified/full in at 25 yards. Anyone here tell me why you would shoot threads?

January 23, 2017, 07:37 AM	#17
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,041	Look at Trulock chokes , he has the best warranty out there . If you do not like it , send it back within 60 days for a different one or your money back .

January 23, 2017, 09:19 AM	#18
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	ALL of the reputable makers make a good product. Extended ones are nice as you can easily see which one you have in and they can help to protect the muzzle better. Do NOT bother with the more expensive ported choke tubes as they do nothing but make them harder to clean. Pattern testing will let you know which one works well for you. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 24, 2017, 12:00 AM	#19
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Olddrum, ... In my opinion they shoot " threads " ....because they are too cheap to buy a Cylinder choke....there is no valid ballistic reason to shoot "threads"....

January 24, 2017, 07:12 PM	#20
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	I agree, BigJim - they most likely don't own one because they rarely ever see real close targets. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

January 25, 2017, 03:44 AM	#21
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	Thanks guys.

January 25, 2017, 05:46 PM	#22
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Threads I would not be concerned about damaging anything shooting W/O a choke tube. I would worry about the muzzle getting bumped and banged. The steel is darned thin W/O the choke tube in place. Would not take much to damage the muzzle. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

January 25, 2017, 08:57 PM	#23
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	The 20 ga. will only shot a maximum of twe thirds the amount of shot in your pattern so the patterns will be less dense. I have and use both and with the 20 gauge I use a size tighter choke and have to be more precise shooting it. Shooting lead through the bare threads will not damage the gun but it is a real pain to clean the threads. You should pattern your shotgun at the ranges you typically use it. Dove are small and fast so getting on target fast and follow through is imperative. Check to see if there is someone who "fits" stocks. Having your shotgun fitted to you will not only give you more hits but it will also be more comfortable to shoot.

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