Hunting with a skeet choke

Using a skeet choke on any gamebird may require either smaller shot or more shot....either can be a limiter of what one chooses on a day based upon bird or recoil.
However, a skeet choke seldom delivers a pattern full of "holes" 5 yards or so past 20 with any but the coarsest of shot. At 40, certainly, but even Full can have pattern issues at 40 and beyond from all the factors involved.

At 20ish yards, not much slipped in a chamber won't work....woodcock to turkey.
At 40ish yards, anything slipped in the chamber can have issues and will still be far less important than the gunner behind the gun.

Chokes are waaay overthought and receive waaay too much blame for a miscue.
Just the way it has been....likely for a hundred years.
I don't see that changing.

The point relative to Preserve shooting is a good one tho....even less does not work on a Preserve as works at 20 yards.
Still, skeet is a fine choke for wild gamebirds of many, not all, types and conditions.
The smart hunter finds the match for those two points afield...and his ability.
The smart, and old, hunter seldom generalizes....he has learned the mistake there found.
 
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fyi, one of my long-time hunting buddies shoots a cyl choke out of his bennelli 12 ga....one of the deadliest shots I know...long, high shots as well...the writer Michael Mcintosh who recently died asserted that having any choke at all was really unnecessary with the shells that are made today...dunno...I know what works for me....shooting doubles causes me to not shoot at longer range birds like I probably used to do more of...either the bird is dead by the time it is 35 yards from me or it was missed! Okay, maybe 40 yards....
 
Chokes are an invention of the late 1800's. Prior to that, the percussion, and pinfire era, as well as the early cartridge era, there were no chokes, just open cylinder. Choking helped compensate for shorter barrels, with black powder the longer barrels helped burn all the powder in the barrel increasing the velocity of the ball or shot string. Lots of experts believe that modern shotcup ammo loaed with smokeless powder ushered out the necessity for chokes all together. It's a demonstrated fact that most shooters are more effective afield with open chokes. Birds crippled by any shot, are shooter error, and caused by hitting with the fringe of the pattern, whether full choke or cylinder bore. I here all the time about "shooting birds at 60 yards", most shooters are notoriously bad at estimating range. Counting steps to the fallen bird doesn't account for the glide of the fallen, or ground movement, which has an enlongating effect on where the bird was actually hit in the air. Most non professional hunters, can't hit squat on moving targets at 40 yards, much less 60. Anybody who doubts the density of a skeet pattern at 35 yards, I dare to bare your rump and we'll use it for a pattern board, you can be the final judge. I don't care what gun or choke you shoot, anybody who hits a birddog is just plain foolish, unsafe, and should be ruled off the field. Fnally they don't call them scatterguns for nothing, it's the point, otherwise we'd shoot flying with a rifle, that would eliminate crippling all together.
 
While I like a good chase as much as anyone, shooting a skeet choked 20 day in and day out at pheasants seems to be a little to Sporting for me. I am sure for the Pointing dog purist who only shoots held birds, knows how to accurately judge range and passes on the more than occasional long shot a skeet choked gun would be adequate. Yes I agree that with today's ammunition choke is not so easily defined, but I suggest looking at it from the other direction. Why not shoot IC/LM/M using a spreader shell as your first or specialty shell and use a quality plated load of high brass #6's for the longer range or anchoring shot. In my opinion this choke combination would be both more versatile and more responsible.:cheers:
 
BrownDogsCan2 said:
.... Why not shoot IC/LM/M using a spreader shell as your first or specialty shell and use a quality plated load of high brass #6's for the longer range or anchoring shot. In my opinion this choke combination would be both more versatile and more responsible.:cheers:
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For two reasons....spreaders vary widely in quality and predictable response, imo and 6s lack oomph out a ways if necessary, to me.
Personally, I was not speaking of SK connected to any gauge...rather to that range of constrictions with a gauge and load appropriate to the bird and conditions....given that, Skeet choke works swell.
Plated shot, Cu or Nickle today is realy washed shot....nice enough but only as good as the lead underneath.
Great sales marketing tho....same as unimportant brass height.
Personally again, I like Modified in a 16 but see no reason to ignore any factors of the shot that will work....and skeet works for a lot of folks.
 
OldDublin: While I agree with you and respect what you have to say. I still contend that a skeet choked 20 is better suited to an individual with a higher skill level than most of us possess, myself included. When a second shot is needed, to anchor a bird which is going to hit the ground running, I feel more confident doing it with a tighter choke heavier shot combination. While I know many of us are shooting doubles I believe the majority still shoot single barrel guns, and open choke guns are a poor choice IMO.
High brass, plating, shot size; I know are relative terms and only as good as the quality of the components and manufacturing. These terms are easily recognized and somewhat dictate what quality you can expect.
Shot sizes 4,5,6,7,71/2 are personal preferences and will invoke debates similar to if not greater than; What breed of dog is the best for hunting........
BDC2:)
 
This is one of those topics that engenders much preaching, which may be inevitable, I guess. I only know what works for me, after having spent 30+ days afield for Dakota pheasants over the past 15+ years....one thing I can say for sure is that I HATE losing birds, and if my "recipe" of gauge, choke(s), shells, and dogs was causing me to lose birds consistently I would change the recipe. The older I get (45), the more I enjoy lighter guns, sub-gauges, and smaller shot that is travelling at slightly slower speeds....b & p #6's out of all 3 of my 16 gauges works well...I believe that equates to american 6.5 or 7 shot...those shells are 1 1/16 oz of shot, around 1200 fps...I think they are 2 9/16" in length, not 2 3/4". I stockpiled lots of 12 ga, 2 3/4", 1 3/8 oz of #4 & 5 shot @ 1500 fps over the past 5-6 years....federal and kent...all of it for less than $10/box...been bartering, trading, and using it as currency the last year or two...didn't hunt with a 12 gauge at all this season...who knows, maybe I never will again????? Most of my 20 and 16 ga. shells that I hunt pheasants with are fiochi's that I get at kones korner for $10/box...1 or 1 1/8 oz of #5 shot @ 1300 fps...the b & p shells are early season, sharpies then Oct phez...very lethal combo out of an open choked 16, at least for me. Lack of snow is nice for dog work right now...just got back from working my 9 month old female lab...she is much smarter than I, which isn't saying much...forgot how much "fun" pups are at this age!!!!!
 
Sure, no doubt on fuel for debate.
Simply hate to see a choke that works afield for many, shunted aside or limited in discussion to the 20.
Could go as far south as the 410 with a skeet choke, I suppose.
The edges of performance of any factor of a shot finds any choice less than optimal.

I do bet that many do shoot single barreled scatterguns...I also bet that few birds are lost due to a skeet choke....as the first cause of the miss!
Choke tho...all too often, will be blamed before we blame ourselves.
If not the choke, then it may be the wrong glasses or too heavy or light a scattergun or bad oatmeal at breakfast.:)
 
OldDublin said:
Sure, no doubt on fuel for debate.
Simply hate to see a choke that works afield for many, shunted aside or limited in discussion to the 20.
Could go as far south as the 410 with a skeet choke, I suppose.
The edges of performance of any factor of a shot finds any choice less than optimal.

I do bet that many do shoot single barreled scatterguns...I also bet that few birds are lost due to a skeet choke....as the first cause of the miss!
Choke tho...all too often, will be blamed before we blame ourselves.
If not the choke, then it may be the wrong glasses or too heavy or light a scattergun or bad oatmeal at breakfast.:)
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It's not about missin' it's about killin' and when the need arises for a second shot due to poor shooting or shot selection a tighter choked (single barrel gun) is more effective at anchoring a wounded bird. Skeet choke does become the limiting factor at that point.
Skill, hunting style and the capability of the dog all factor into my opinion.:cheers:
 
oldandnew said:
When I grew up, the quail specialists had Browning A-5's with the barrels amputated at barely the legal limit, usually by hacksaw. They were brush busters, who wore thick leather long sleeved shirts and double faced brush pants, shots were probe and hope through the trees and brush, if a bird got out 25 yards it was gone, they didn't miss much.
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Old&New
Exactly, the close-in brush busting situation for most of my quail hunting outings. The terrain, vegetation, and bird species determine my choke selection.
 
BrownDogsCan2 said:
It's not about missin' it's about killin' and when the need arises for a second shot due to poor shooting or shot selection a tighter choked (single barrel gun) is more effective at anchoring a wounded bird. Skeet choke does become the limiting factor at that point.
Skill, hunting style and the capability of the dog all factor into my opinion.:cheers:
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Sure on a second shot at an extreme....why two-rows are popular.
Second shots are not always at those extremes tho.
Not a given that skeet equals no reasonable chance at a knicked bird.
Seen too many wounded birds missed with the 2nd and 3rd shot of a single barrel...again, it the hunter and not the choke that most often fails.
Can a good shot utilize a tighter choke at distance for a knicked bird...sure, it happens.
Perhaps tho a skeet choke may even reduce the need for a second trigger tap....killin' is about missin'.
Choose your choke in a single based on more than the birds you plan to wound and shoot...at....that's the wisest move.
imo:thumbsup:
 
onpoint said:
Also, I find very few birds in the wild that just sit still, even under a pointing dog. They nearly always run and keep moving. IMO, more and more preserve hunting and pen raised bird hunting has lead to the influx of guners using these open chokes. To be honest, I can't imagine the holes there has to be in a skeet choked pattern past 20 yards. Then to try and have a killing shot on a bird the size of a quail at that distance or greater....hard to believe that can be consistently possible. I'm no quail hunter but they must be a easy bird to kill or that gives up when only hit by a bb or two. The wild pheasant and Ruff grouse I hunt. If you don't anchor those birds with several good hits to the vitals/bones. They immediately become a track star that can out run/hide from nearly anything. Give me a Mod choke and 5-6 or 71/2 and I'll kill nearly anything that flies. Have for near 40 years. To each his own and do what flips your trigger
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I've been using skeet tubes for quail and pheasants for years on my 2 20's
you really believe skeet tube has all sorts of holes past 20 yards- you want me to post some patterns

kind of find it funny- you say no wild bird will hold for a pointing dog
you need to get out with someone who has good dogs and knows what he's doing

why an open choke- 2 guys walk in on a point- up comes the bird- one shooting modified most likely isn't so quick- guy shooting cylinder or skeet most likely is quick- what are you going to do- ask the fella who's shooting skeet to wait untill it gets to your range- btw- I can blow up a bird- prefer to let it get to skeet range- I don't do so well on fast moving birds past 30 yards- thus I use skeet tubes with light shot- I for sure know the range I can kill and I for sure know what my pattern is at that range- quite chuckling- you say you need 2 shots to anchor

I use the same gun, same skeet tube, same shell for doves, quail, pheasants- at my skeet range- nothing needs a followup anchor shot- except in the case of a miss-

I can post more pictures if you like- like a pheasant 8' in front of the dog-
one with a rooster pinned where we had to walk 183 yards- rooster came up 1' from my face- happens quite a bit- they come up real close- but then again- my Britt's like to really pin them- and don't mind that I have to cover some groud to get there

cracks me up- 2 shots to anchor- must not be a very good pattern
 
Sorry Shadow
Not hunting over really good pointing dogs. My hunting party and I are really not really good shots. If we hit one to far back, we shoot him again. If a bird wrights himself and gains his legs during the fall, we shoot him again.:thumbsup:
 
I think that taking the position that skeet choke is the end all choke constriction is as silly as the counter.
If the bird is brought down fit for the table then that is all that matters....unless bragging over prowess is a personal need.
I like three shots in my 16.
Sometimes things simply do not go according to Hoyle....one must be honest enough to admit that fact.
For a fact it is for us all.
Kinda sorta why I like gloves to cover all ten fingers.
 
If I am going to preach or pound my chest or implore the readers of this forum to do anything it will be to join PF, or do something to help the birds from a conservation perspective...shoot what gun you want, what choke you want, what gauge you want, hunt with as small or as big a group that you want, use whatever breed of dog you want...we will more than likely never meet, much less hunt together, but if you have the ability to do something, anything, to influence habitat, please do it.
 
Shadow said:
I've been using skeet tubes for quail and pheasants for years on my 2 20's
you really believe skeet tube has all sorts of holes past 20 yards- you want me to post some patterns

kind of find it funny- you say no wild bird will hold for a pointing dog
you need to get out with someone who has good dogs and knows what he's doing

why an open choke- 2 guys walk in on a point- up comes the bird- one shooting modified most likely isn't so quick- guy shooting cylinder or skeet most likely is quick- what are you going to do- ask the fella who's shooting skeet to wait untill it gets to your range- btw- I can blow up a bird- prefer to let it get to skeet range- I don't do so well on fast moving birds past 30 yards- thus I use skeet tubes with light shot- I for sure know the range I can kill and I for sure know what my pattern is at that range- quite chuckling- you say you need 2 shots to anchor

I use the same gun, same skeet tube, same shell for doves, quail, pheasants- at my skeet range- nothing needs a followup anchor shot- except in the case of a miss-

I can post more pictures if you like- like a pheasant 8' in front of the dog-
one with a rooster pinned where we had to walk 183 yards- rooster came up 1' from my face- happens quite a bit- they come up real close- but then again- my Britt's like to really pin them- and don't mind that I have to cover some groud to get there

cracks me up- 2 shots to anchor- must not be a very good pattern
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To each his own and do what flips your trigger

Guys like this are what gets me in trouble on this forum. I just keep telling myself..BE NICE, BE NICE, BE NICE
 
benelli-banger said:
If I am going to preach or pound my chest or implore the readers of this forum to do anything it will be to join PF, or do something to help the birds from a conservation perspective...shoot what gun you want, what choke you want, what gauge you want, hunt with as small or as big a group that you want, use whatever breed of dog you want...we will more than likely never meet, much less hunt together, but if you have the ability to do something, anything, to influence habitat, please do it.
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Great post. If only everybody could adopt this attitude. I personally shoot an open choke, and i can't tell you the last time i lost a bird. I really don't know why we can't all share this without it turning into a pissing match every time.
 
carptom1 said:
Great post. If only everybody could adopt this attitude. I personally shoot an open choke, and i can't tell you the last time i lost a bird. I really don't know why we can't all share this without it turning into a pissing match every time.
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AMEN!:cheers:
 
benelli-banger said:
If I am going to preach or pound my chest or implore the readers of this forum to do anything it will be to join PF, or do something to help the birds from a conservation perspective...shoot what gun you want, what choke you want, what gauge you want, hunt with as small or as big a group that you want, use whatever breed of dog you want...we will more than likely never meet, much less hunt together, but if you have the ability to do something, anything, to influence habitat, please do it.
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Thank You for bringing us back to reality.:cheers:
Sometimes I speak before thinking, it then becomes a scramble to clarify oneself, all the while digging yourself in deeper.
I apologize for that.
 
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