When do I use a Choke ?

z28pwr · July 14, 2004, 09:08 AM

I just recently purchased my first shotgun and assembled it last night. The beretta 390 came with 2 chokes. Should I put a choke in before I go to the skeet trap, if so which one.

Thanks.

mete · July 14, 2004, 09:17 AM

Only two chokes ? Anyway you ALWAYS use a choke otherwise you will damage the the choke threads on the barrel.There are many chokes available ;cylinder,improved cylinder,modified, improved modified, full, extra full.These are listed in order from most open pattern to tightest pattern. For skeet you would use probably the IC choke, for trap maybe modified....Since you are new to shotguns I strongly suggest you get lessons from a good instructor, it will greatly shorten the learning curve.

K80Geoff · July 14, 2004, 11:31 AM

I suspect that there is a choke tube in the barrel already, the two additional chokes probably compliment the installed choke. Berettas usually come with one tube installed and two tubes in little plastic bottles. Usually IC, Mod and full chokes are provided. (Unless of course you buy an O/U, then you get two tubes installed and one additional supplied OEM.) Check the instruction book for the markings on the chokes to find out which is which.

You should ALWAYS have a choke tube installed. Shooting with the choke threads exposed is not advisable.

If you go to a clays course, ask another shooter to explain the chokes to you. Skeet usually will require an IC, TRAP Mod or Full. YMMV

z28pwr · July 14, 2004, 01:30 PM

I think you guys are right and that it did come with 3 chokes since there are (2) in the little platic containers and maybe there is one in the barrel already.

I wish beretta would give a parts list. I'll have to check tonight to see if it has a choke. When I go to the choke section in the manual it starts by showing you how to remove the choke to put a new one. The people at Wally World aren't very knowledgable either. I guess it's sometimes worth it to pay the extra $50 - 100 bucks to get somebody that knows what they are doing and show you and explain to you how the gun works.

mtnboomer · July 14, 2004, 04:05 PM

As a rule of thumb:
(1) the farther the target, the tighter the choke and visa versa - very close; cyl. or mod. cyl., close; mod., far; full, very far or tough target; x-full
(2) for skeet and trap use a more open choke; mod. cyl. or skeet
(3) for slug use cyl., mod. cyl. or rifled chokes ONLY

SquirrelMan · July 14, 2004, 09:30 PM

Quick question, which is more open; modified cylinder or skeet?

rwilson452 · July 14, 2004, 10:16 PM

I think you will find the skeet choke to be the most open of the ones you have a cylinder bore choke is really no choke at all it makes it a straight bore. If you search around the web you can find a list of chokes. I can't find mine.

SquirrelMan · July 14, 2004, 11:01 PM

Oops, I meant improved cylinder. I googled for it and skeet is more open.

Tommy Vercetti · July 15, 2004, 06:11 AM

http://www.freeammo.com/fxchoketube.html

Irishmtnmn2001 · December 6, 2004, 08:19 PM

You might check into available chokes. There are many half-steps which will help you fine tune your shots such as improved/modified and Extra Skeet.

SmokinTom · December 8, 2004, 07:48 AM

Imp.Cyl. for 16yd. targets.Mod. to Imp. mod. to the 22 yd. line and Full out to the 27. Thats with 1-1/8oz loads.

July 14, 2004, 09:08 AM	#1
z28pwr Member Join Date: December 24, 2000 Posts: 63	When do I use a Choke ? I just recently purchased my first shotgun and assembled it last night. The beretta 390 came with 2 chokes. Should I put a choke in before I go to the skeet trap, if so which one. Thanks.

July 14, 2004, 11:31 AM	#3
K80Geoff Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 1998 Location: NE Pennsylvania Posts: 3,639	I suspect that there is a choke tube in the barrel already, the two additional chokes probably compliment the installed choke. Berettas usually come with one tube installed and two tubes in little plastic bottles. Usually IC, Mod and full chokes are provided. (Unless of course you buy an O/U, then you get two tubes installed and one additional supplied OEM.) Check the instruction book for the markings on the chokes to find out which is which. You should ALWAYS have a choke tube installed. Shooting with the choke threads exposed is not advisable. If you go to a clays course, ask another shooter to explain the chokes to you. Skeet usually will require an IC, TRAP Mod or Full. YMMV __________________ I am no longer a member of this forum. Bye!

July 14, 2004, 04:05 PM	#5
mtnboomer Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Location: Oklahoma by birth. America by the grace of God. Posts: 635	As a rule of thumb: (1) the farther the target, the tighter the choke and visa versa - very close; cyl. or mod. cyl., close; mod., far; full, very far or tough target; x-full (2) for skeet and trap use a more open choke; mod. cyl. or skeet (3) for slug use cyl., mod. cyl. or rifled chokes ONLY __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (If all else fails - play dead!) Support the Second Amendment. Join the NRA > http://www.nra.org < Oklahoma State & Big 12 - #1 GO POKES!!!!!

July 14, 2004, 10:16 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	chokes I think you will find the skeet choke to be the most open of the ones you have a cylinder bore choke is really no choke at all it makes it a straight bore. If you search around the web you can find a list of chokes. I can't find mine.

July 15, 2004, 06:11 AM	#9
Tommy Vercetti Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2004 Location: Fairhope, Alabama Posts: 1,119	info here http://www.freeammo.com/fxchoketube.html __________________ "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Sinclair Lewis, (It Can't Happen Here, 1935) "Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero

July 14, 2004, 09:17 AM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Only two chokes ? Anyway you ALWAYS use a choke otherwise you will damage the the choke threads on the barrel.There are many chokes available ;cylinder,improved cylinder,modified, improved modified, full, extra full.These are listed in order from most open pattern to tightest pattern. For skeet you would use probably the IC choke, for trap maybe modified....Since you are new to shotguns I strongly suggest you get lessons from a good instructor, it will greatly shorten the learning curve.

July 14, 2004, 01:30 PM	#4
z28pwr Member Join Date: December 24, 2000 Posts: 63	I think you guys are right and that it did come with 3 chokes since there are (2) in the little platic containers and maybe there is one in the barrel already. I wish beretta would give a parts list. I'll have to check tonight to see if it has a choke. When I go to the choke section in the manual it starts by showing you how to remove the choke to put a new one. The people at Wally World aren't very knowledgable either. I guess it's sometimes worth it to pay the extra $50 - 100 bucks to get somebody that knows what they are doing and show you and explain to you how the gun works.

July 14, 2004, 09:30 PM	#6
SquirrelMan Member Join Date: November 4, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 94	Quick question, which is more open; modified cylinder or skeet?

July 14, 2004, 11:01 PM	#8
SquirrelMan Member Join Date: November 4, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 94	Oops, I meant improved cylinder. I googled for it and skeet is more open.

December 6, 2004, 08:19 PM	#10
Irishmtnmn2001 Member Join Date: December 6, 2004 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 45	You might check into available chokes. There are many half-steps which will help you fine tune your shots such as improved/modified and Extra Skeet.

December 8, 2004, 07:48 AM	#11
SmokinTom Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 479	Imp.Cyl. for 16yd. targets.Mod. to Imp. mod. to the 22 yd. line and Full out to the 27. Thats with 1-1/8oz loads.