[Trap Cat]

Had Wilkinson do my barrels and chokes. K-80 Trap Special with chokes tuned to match the barrel. Three chokes (.35, .25 and .15) at 33 yards (why 33?....it was as far back as I could get given where the board is and a fence. So I really was at the 'back fence'). I wish I still had the pictures from before the work, but do not. Yes, I shoot a high gun, that is not the issue...it is how even the patterns are. Before I had clumps and holes, not many strays now. Quite an improvement in my opinion. I am a believer. I would note that felt recoil is less than before. Will not discuss the cost.

Top picture on the left = .35
Top picture on the right = .25
Bottom picture on the left = .15
Bottom picture on the right = .35 left and .15 on the right. (Funny note, in this picture check out the big dent on the far left...someone shot the pattern board with a slug last year. This is half inch thick steel and it not only dented it but impressed the steel inward for 6" around the impact point)

Which of these patterns do you like best for say... singles then handicap? I'm at 27 yards. For me the .35 most likely for both singles and handicap. My brain registers smoke on a single better with what to do than a target just vaporizing or breaking into 5 pieces. For some I shoot with they want to play the percentages like baseball. Bigger pattern = higher singles scores. Any break is a dead bird. I would argue that wide patterns won't work as well at 27 yards.

Edit...this is 455 grains (shade over 1 oz.) of #8 shot with 19.4 grains of Green Dot in a Federal paper.

 

[Brady509]

I think you'll be shocked what the .25 will deliver you even from the 27.

 

[Trap Cat]

I think you'll be shocked what the .25 will deliver you even from the 27.

Honestly I was surprised at how tight the .15 is at 33 yards....almost all of it inside of 30 inch circle.

 

[Brady509]

Funny you say that. A friend shoots an mx 10 Wilkinson fix choke .15 thou from the 27. Wouldn't know it from the smoke clouds he hangs. I'm a believer.

 

[pheasantsgalore]

Very impressive- Toms' work is always top notch and although not cheap- in cases where a barrel needs some help, its just the ticket !!

 

[Hatchetman]

Looking good Fred! Not surprised at the patterns. You were hitting them hard when we shot a couple of weeks ago. My TM1 barrel came back from Tom at .037. Looking forward to seeing what she’ll do this spring!

 

[Trap Cat]

Looking good Fred! Not surprised at the patterns. You were hitting them hard when we shot a couple of weeks ago. My TM1 barrel came back from Tom at .037. Looking forward to seeing what she’ll do this spring!

Thanks! I think you will be hanging smoke Brad! I think you will be very pleased with it. It pops 'em hard.

 

[Ram Rod]

If you get serious you count pellets to get the pattern perscentage.
Then you would know how each choke performs.
TW usually test his work using this method.
He can answer your questions.

 

[Trap Cat]

If you get serious you coumt pellets to get the pattern perscentage.
Then you would know how each choke performs.
TW usually test his work using this method.
He can answer your questions.

Yes, thanks. I have submitted the photos to Sai Chang at Grip Plus to do the analysis with his software program. Gonna post them when I get them back. He's in Florida at the S Grand so will be a week or so to get the results back.

 

[krieghoffkid27]

How is felt recoil measured as "less"? What does it cost to have this done?

 

[Trap Cat]

How is felt recoil measured as "less"? What does it cost to have this done?

It 'feels' less to me. After tens of thousands of rounds and using the same loads, and given sensitive to recoil, it feels less to me. That is a hot topic of contention on this forum. To me all that matters is how it feels to me.

For cost one would have to contact Tom. Cost is dependent on what you have and what you want to accomplish...and as such varies. Good work not cheap however.

 

[CROY1990]

Trap Cat, I have a TM9X that has Wilkinson chokes also. I like you thought I
would shoot the 35th for everything (27yd). But after shooting the 25th on
Singles I really think it hits harder up front. I shoot the 35th on Handicap but
change for Singles. I don’t get caught up in the % in 30” circle I know what
I see when I center a target and that’s good enough for me. Good luck

 

[Ram Rod]

Trap Cat, I have a TM9X that has Wilkinson chokes also. I like you thought I
would shoot the 35th for everything (27yd). But after shooting the 25th on
Singles I really think it hits harder up front. I shoot the 35th on Handicap but
change for Singles. I don’t get caught up in the % in 30” circle I know what
I see when I center a target and that’s good enough for me. Good luck

You don't have to get "caught up" because Wilkinson uses % in a 30" circle to evaluate the performance of his work.
He didn't choke your gun by guessing.

 

[Firewater]

And you get what you pay for when you are talking about Tom

 

[Trap Cat]

Trap Cat, I have a TM9X that has Wilkinson chokes also. I like you thought I
would shoot the 35th for everything (27yd). But after shooting the 25th on
Singles I really think it hits harder up front. I shoot the 35th on Handicap but
change for Singles. I don’t get caught up in the % in 30” circle I know what
I see when I center a target and that’s good enough for me. Good luck

Thanks! I will give it a try this next week in practice. You are the second person to note that, worth giving it a go.

 

[Trap Cat]

You don't have to get "caught up" because Wilkinson uses % in a 30" circle to evaluate the performance of his work.
He didn't choke your gun by guessing.

Not disputing that. Would be nice if for the money he provided one with that data at the time the barrel was returned. That would be useful. Had to see if for myself to make my decisions.

 

[Trap Cat]

And you get what you pay for when you are talking about Tom

I have felt it worth it for sure.

 

[The Canuck]

I see many posts and f/s ads about Wilkinson tuned barrels and/or chokes. How exactly is a barrel and/or chokes tuned?

 

[Ram Rod]

I see many posts and f/s ads about Wilkinson tuned barrels and/or chokes. How exactly is a barrel and/or chokes tuned?

This fixed choke barrel has a 4" choke section and shoots winning scores front to back.

 

[The Canuck]

This fixed choke barrel has a 4" choke section and shoots winning scores front to back. View attachment 1866291

So essentially it is a choke reaming job?