doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com If you had only one choke.

Fair enough. Thx Stan.

When I was guiding ruffed grouse hunters in eastern MN back in the day, I asked people to not use spreaders because one of them clipped my setter with 7-9 number 8s on a trip. The shot didn't penetrate the dog hide very far, and I squeezed them out back at the truck. I was mad as hell at the moment, but, it could have been worse, I suppose. People who don't hunt much do tend to lose focus on where the dog is, at the flush, which, I suppose is human nature. It is easy to have a dog on point 25 yards away, and find the bird flushing, while you are still trying to see the dog in the brush. You know the pooch is out there, on point, you just aren't positive where.

Spreaders are not a perfect solution. There are times you don't want to use them. Outside of those moments, they open up possiblilities, for a single gun, single barrel sportsman.

I'm not that guy.

I'm glad I don't have to limit myself to one choke, it would be hard to go from opening day of woodcock season, to the very last day of pheasant season, with but a single choke. If I had to, I'd guess an IC would be the best choice, but, I'd have to pass up shots on some of the wiser roosters I'd see who have developed a feel for the range of a 12 gauge toward seasons end.


Best,
Ted

Couldn't agree more with you re the bird dog Ted. It may or may not have been the spreaders....more likely a careless hunter. This past season I literally brow beat my hunters in terms of the dogs. Every point we walked in on I warned them to be aware of the dog. If dogs are not steady to wing and maybe shot, they are going to go with the flush which puts them in harms way. Since the majority of my dogs are not steady to the flush, I explain this to the hunters with warning to watch for the dog at almost every point. I'm sure they tire of it but too bad.

You and me, both!

SRH

All my shotguns are IC/M, except for 16 Parker hammer 0 grade cyl/full, which I consider perfect for grouse in our conditions.

I could hunt on out to the Long Good-bye using IC over dogs and picking my dove shots. In a pinch, M with and without spreaders. Turkeys are another matter. Fortunately those I hunt with are dog people who understand the dangers of shooting low birds and don't. My dogs aren't steady to wing and shot and will move to the bird on flush which is what I desire in wild bird hunting. Boxed, "boot and shoot" birds can cause problems with some hunters who can't resist shooting parallel to the ground, or worse, down, at low and slow birds endangering dogs running after flush. A buddy of mine stopped taking his cousin who couldn't restrain himself and nearly shot a preserve owner's dog. It was a miracle he missed. The cousin is a leo which is even more baffling and disturbing about his poor gun handling habits. Gil

Too many hunters should be in front of the dogs not behind them.

I know Stan and I have little common ground but what he has to say about chokes rings right at true for me FWIW.
OK there is one thing. I never have bought into that "full choke will make you better" BS. Proper training/practice and a better technique will make a better shooter. Most shooters are wholly incompetent when it comes to assessing skills and technique mods necessary. Tight chokes are for very competent shooters who actually know what they're doing.

JMO of course - - shoot what you like

have another day
Dr.WtS

While I appreciate most members here live in the lower 48, not all do. There are a good number of us for whom picking up the phone and ordering a flat of spreaders (and any other of the wonderful options you have available) is just not possible.

For example, I have been reading about RST for the whole time I have been a member here. The have only become available in Canada in the last 6 months. And what do I mean by available? Special order for whole flat, your order gets added to the next shipment up from the US (whenever that may be), shipment goes to Alberta, and then the individual flat is shipped to the consumer. Shipping cost alone for a flat of RST is about $40. Can't mix and match.

I'm very glad we can finally get them but you have to be pretty dedicated. Normal hunter isn't going to bother.

Most ammo recommendations I read about here just aren't available here and in many other places.

Charles, I should have said that shooting tight chokes made me a better shooter. A lot better, actually. Note that I did not say full. I include modified in the "tight" category, which is what my MX8 is choked in both barrels (for sporting clays).

I have heard several others say the same thing, but I should not have made a blanket statement that it will make everybody better. Good point. And, as far as our common ground ..... Hey! we both like Perazzis!

SRH

To me, the tough thing about tight chokes is that if someone wants it opened up, it's a smart thing. Later, if that gun is for sale, someone messed with it. Barrel thicknesses can be measured, but it's almost as if there needs to be some documentation that an elite barrel smith did the work.