Under choked or over choked?

I once had an ancient Merkel OU that had straight cylinder in the lower barrel. I was concerned about that cylinder barrel but it worked much better than I thought it would. I had been fringing closer birds with a tighter choke and the birds shot with that cylinder barrel were coming down dead. I think many hunters use too much choke.
 
Windshooter said:
I once had an ancient Merkel OU that had straight cylinder in the lower barrel. I was concerned about that cylinder barrel but it worked much better than I thought it would. I had been fringing closer birds with a tighter choke and the birds shot with that cylinder barrel were coming down dead. I think many hunters use too much choke.
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When I started using improved cylinder in my shotguns, I started getting a lot more peasants. I also use full choke in these old Browning guns. They don't have screw in chokes in the '50s.
 
Plannerman said:
Fantastic ammo IMO, been shooting #5s out of Franchi Instinct IC/M for about 5 years.
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I bought a case of 20 gauge 3" 6 shot because they were on sale. I'll buy again!
Don't feel like I need 3", but then I convince myself that it's better to have and not need than need and not have!
My confidence did grow with these, and I've had some really good and surprising long shot kills. The confidence continues when I have had more recoveries than I should have had on cripples (thanks to an excellent marking and tracking hunting companion.) I think I've only lost 3 cripples all year that I blame on shooting too far away. I've had that twice that many close birds that were lost due to heavy cover when the dog didn't see the bird down and/or poor shot placement.
I hate losing any birds...
 
If you are disciplined to not take shots over 30-35 yards, I/C is your friend. It won't blow up the birds like the tighter chokes. If you take shots longer than 35 yards, or let close up birds get out farther before shooting, a LM or MOD would be better. If you've ever shot patterns at 50 yards or more, you quickly see why birds are missed or crippled. My older brothers have always shot full chokes, but never take close shots. Like riding a clays target till it gets where you are comfortable shooting it.
 
westksbowhunter said:
How many of you pattern your chokes and shells? I pattern everything at 30 yds with both factory and aftermarket chokes. I also shim accordingly. Out of my 20 gauge Montefeltro, a Briley LM throw the best pattern, 60/40 and puts the most pellets in a 30 inch circle and a very evenly spread pattern. #5 's at 1300 fps shoot the best. The factory chokes don't even come close. Out of the M2 a Modified Briley throws the best pattern and I had to go through a lot shimming with that gun with the higher rib. The Browning Maxus II likes 6's and had Browning give me 2 extra recoil pads to find the right LOP. They do that for free if you call them after buying a new gun. I tune my guns just like I tune arrows to my traditional bows. It makes a huge difference and puts more birds in the bad than just guessing. I have lost one cripple this year. Every bird I have put in the bag has been stone cold dead.
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Here are a few of my pattern numbers from 20- and 12-gauge lead loads, that I’ve shot pheasants with, to give you an idea of the kind of performance you might get from similar loads and chokes.

Patterns from 20- and 12-gauge Browning Citoris with 28" Invector-plus barrels and Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot inscribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 GA 2 ¾” RELOAD (BLUE DOT)
1 oz #6 lead (233 pellets) @ 1200 fps
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 147 (63%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 168 (72%)
30 YARDS – M / pattern 200 (86%)

40 YARDS – M / pattern 146 (63%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 163 (70%)

20 GA 3" RELOAD (BLUE DOT)
1 1/8 oz #5 lead (190 pellets) @ 1200 fps
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 140 (74%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 150 (80%)

40 YARDS – M / pattern 138 (73%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 147 (77%)

12 GA 2 ¾” RELOAD (GREEN DOT)
1 1/8 oz #6 lead (267 pellets) @ 1225 fps
30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 141 (55%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 171 (69%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 211 (79%)

40 YARDS – LM / pattern 173 (65%)
40 YARDS – M / pattern 182 (68%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 195 (73%)

12 GA 2 ¾” RELOAD (UNIQUE)
1 1/4 oz #5 lead (210 pellets) @ 1225 fps
30 YARDS – CYL / pattern 125 (60%)
30 YARDS – SK / pattern 145 (69%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 177 (84%)

40 YARDS – LM / pattern 155 (74%)
40 YARDS – M / pattern 155 (74%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 174 (83%)

50 YARDS – IM / pattern 125 (60%)

Hope this helps, good luck!
 
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