[shark1]

Wondering how many feel a full choke is the only way to go in bad weather? I was shooting in the rain at my club on Sunday, and got lucky with an OK score, but it was raining and bad. I shot a full choke from the 16 and seemed to handle anything Mother Nature good give me. I used reloads STS Hull, 17.5gr Clays, #8 shot 1 1/8oz, Fig8 wad. It seemed a more open choke would open up more in the rain. Just wondering what other shooters feel and do in this type of instance or case? Do some shooters go to a Super full? Thanks for sharing info. Mike Sharkey, DC

 

[Unknown1]

You'll usually do well if you have faith in your equipment... whether it's warranted or not!

MK

 

[grntitan]

Bad weather??? FULL choke all the time.---Matt

 

[grntitan]

I know, I know. I started it....

 

[phirel]

I agree with Matt. I would also confirm on paper what the choke is actually doing. Simply because a choke is marked Full does not mean it actually shoots a full choke pattern.

Pat Ireland

 

[zzt]

Mike, I don't like choke names. If your choke will put 85% of the shot into a 30" circle at target distance, you have maximized your chance of a break, assuming your shot placement is correct. A good .020" choke (Modified) will do that at 30 yards (singles targets). A good Full choke (.032"~.040") will be considerably tighter at that distance.

If you are trying to maximize your chances of a break, there is such a thing as too tight. Dr. Andrew Jones has developed an online program called Shotgun_Insight Pattern Optimizer. Play around with it for a while and you can determine whether your choke gives you optimal results. Of course, you have to have accurate pattern data to use it, but it is worth the effort, IMO.

That being said, there is nothing wrong with shooting a Full choke for singles, as long as you are happy with the results.

 

[grntitan]

Pat--Very good point. I've had some Light Full chokes before that threw tighter patterns than chokes marked full. Its a whole combination of factors from barrel exit diameter to choke constriction...etc. etc. The pattern board is the only true way to find out.

 

[JerryP]

zzt, How many of us have an 85% gun? That is a high percentage.

 

[Dr.Longshot]

Frank Little was a firm believer in full choke guns. There is a story on him about this and why!!


Gary Bryant

 

[BIGDON]

GB: At last a good post.

Don

 

[zzt]

JerryP, at 30 yards, 85% is easy to achieve with the average trap barrel/choke used for singles. At forty yards, it's a different story. That 85% PE @ 30 yards drops to 60% @ 40. That's the definition of a Modified choke. Since most trap shooters use tighter chokes than Modified, 85% @ 30 yards is almost a given.

 

[BunkerGuy]

Looks like ZZT is right: this webpage shows 30 yard patterns over 90% with various choke measurements until the choke gets down to light mod.

There's some 35 yard data there also.

- - Bill

 

[Stl Flyn]

I would say full choke all the time. At least you will not shoot around the target. That will cause more mind problems than an outright miss. Jon

 

[JerryP]

zzt, I re- read your post and you did say 30yds. I always think in terms of 40yds, 60% at 40yds is not so good.

 

[miketmx]

Bad weather ?? I know my trap gun performs with a better pattern at higher altitude like 4000 ft. I think I could get away with a more open choke on a warm summer day but I always use a Full choke for Handicap because I also think that on a cold miserable day I need that tighter pattern just to be in the running.