Chokes: Is it necessary to buy aftermarket tubes (Carlson, Trulock)?

walk213

walk213

Active member
I own 2 semi-automatic shotguns. A Beretta A400 XPLOR LITE and a Beretta A391 Urika 2. Both guns come equiped with flush-mount stock chokes. I usually shoot modified when pheasant hunting.

-Does anyone endorse buying aftermarket choke tubes?
-What do you choke constriction do you shoot when you're pheasant hunting?
-Has anyone had issues shooting steel through the A400 LITE and experienced issues with the Optima HP chokes - there are rumors of problems?
 
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Nothing wrong with aftermarket chokes, as long as they pattern with your gun and load. Long gradual constriction tends to be the way to go. I use Carlson extended tubes in my Browning 3.5" Cynergy 12ga. I have IMP Cyl, LM and Mod I use.

Always use a choke tube lube or I use Never Seize. DO NOT USE GUN OIL OR OTHER LUBES..OTHER THEN TO CLEAN THEM. The can and do shoot loose. That can cause them to beak off or swedge them in so you can't get them out.

I have no clue on there being problems with the Beretta A400 with regards to choke tubes
 
Good Pattern

As long as your shotgun patterns well with the factory tubes, they are fine. As always, there are lots of those that would like your money!

Lock and Load! :D
 
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Michigan Gunner said:
As long as your shotgun patterns well with the factory tubes, they are fine. As always, there are lots of those that would like your money!

Lock and Load! :D
Click to expand...


I agree..:cheers:
 
reading up on Randy's tests I decided to try TruLock extended SK2 choke tube in my short barreled 20 OU- pleasantly surprised- got 5 more yards of a very nice pattern shooting 1 ounce of 7 shot- better than all the flush mount chokes-
so I ordered another-

pattern pattern pattern- then if not happy- try an extended after market- might just be surprised and happy
 
walk213 said:
I own 2 semi-automatic shotguns. A Beretta A400 XPLOR LITE and a Beretta A391 Urika 2. Both guns come equiped with flush-mount stock chokes. I usually shoot modified when pheasant hunting.

-Does anyone endorse buying aftermarket choke tubes?
-What do you choke constriction do you shoot when you're pheasant hunting?
-Has anyone had issues shooting steel through the A400 LITE and experienced issues with the Optima HP chokes - there are rumors of problems?
Click to expand...

The only other place I have seen reference to this is from you here: http://www.ultimatepheasanthunting.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9831

If Carlson's is bad mouthing the HP chokes I'd sure be curious about evidence to back up their claims...

I found this on Beretta USA site: http://www.berettausa.com/products/optima-choke-hp-tube-extended-12-ga/c6213/
It states not to use anything tighter than a modified with steel shot. So if people are using tighter chokes I could see where the problem might exist.

Nothing wrong with going with aftermarket chokes. I have a couple from 2 different manufacturers for different guns. The reason I have them is that Light Modified and Improved Modified are not always available in a factory choke tube, in fact LM is rarely available if at all. LM just happens to be my favorite choke, hence I bought an extended LM for both guns. It kind of splits the difference between IC and a modified. I use it for everything including sporting clays.
 
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If you have a reason to want something different than came with your gun, I'd recommend Briley's. The choke tubes I have bought from them are absolutely beautiful and pattern exactly as advertised.

http://www.briley.com/
 
After measuring my flush-fit Browning choke tubes, I bought the extended Briley's. None of the factory flush-fit chokes were close to what they were marked. For example, the factory choke marked I/C was almost the same as the Briley Skeet.

At least the extended Briley's were consistant and tighter than the factory chokes.
 
Hard to believe that Beretta chokes that came with your gun can be significantly bettered by an after market model, at least for standard field chokes, full through skeet.
 
CRP said:
After measuring my flush-fit Browning choke tubes, I bought the extended Briley's. None of the factory flush-fit chokes were close to what they were marked. For example, the factory choke marked I/C was almost the same as the Briley Skeet.
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Yeah that is common with the Browning flush fit chokes. However, the Midas and Diana grade extended chokes that come standard on certain high end models and are options for everything else are spot on. The reason that they are is that they are made by Briley for Browning and are essentially the same choke as Briley's extended.
 
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