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#36956 04/22/07 06:20 PM
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Like most of you, I'm fortunate to own several shotguns, including several with choke tubes. I also own a few nice classic SxS's that left the factory with Full and Modified barrels.

Until recently, I had not shot skeet with these guns, thinking the tight chokes were a major handicap. However, recently I used two of them for skeet with surprising results -- my scores stayed the same, 21 to 23. If one concentrates, F&M choke really isn't a huge detriment. Both guns have double triggers, so on stations 1,2,6,& 7, I fire the Full choke first. Perhaps i miss one marginal bird that would have been chipped by a more open choke.

Perhaps the rest of you already know this works, but it was news to me.

Jerry Goldstein

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Jerry,

Try some Polywad Double Wide shells. They are available in 2 1/2" and are lower pressure specifically for vintage SxS's AND they're spreaders. I've found that they work great for skeet.

Phil

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The gun fit is more important than the chokes. Same thing happened to me with an LC Smith with full and full.


So many guns, so little time!
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I have a 3" Model 12 that shoots incredibly tight patterns-so tight as to be useless for most hunting scenarios. It is only slightly easier to use it for informal skeet as would be a .22. One thing I found was that if I shoot the cheapest "promo loads" in it, the patterns open up a noticable amount. I assume it is because of very soft shot and probably just cheap components all the way around.

If your doubles will stand modern pressures, it may be worth it for you to try a cheap 4-pack from WalMart. It could help you pick up a few clays.


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I shoot skeet with a 12ga. Coggie choked Mod/ImpCyl, and a 20ga. Bernardelli choked Mod/Cyl. Winchester Featherlites or Remington STS Low Recoil loads work well in both.


Sample my new book at http://www.theweemadroad.com
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I reload and use my own make of spreader in my m/f guns. Add a 1/2" length of drinking straw as a center post before the crimp start. The results are quite good, no need to buy expensive spreader shells or wads.

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Skeet is a great skill builder, and I shoot skeet with anything I want, choked any which way, and adjust my expectations accordingly. You can still shoot great scores, whatever level that means to the individual. If I'm shooting with a game gun, its just for fun anyway. I bet tight chokes don't cost me more than a bird per box. What costs me more is the difference between gun-up and gun-down skeet (way down, international style), and gun down is more educational for game gun use anyway. It still seems skeet is the most difficult with a skeet-choked .410. I think effective pattern size of a full-choked 12 or 20, in the ranges of skeet shots (15 to 25 yards) is about the same as for a skeet-choked .410. Whatever you've got, just shoot it. If you're on you'll hit a satisfying share of them anyway. The result is more down to the shooter than it is to the choke, so don't let "inappropriate chokes" keep you off the skeet or sporting clays field with your field guns -- or trap either, heaven forbid. You can shoot straights at trap with cylinder-bored 12 gauges and modern shells, too. Even I've done it. Proper choke only matters if you're shooting tournament shotgun games, and you need to get every one you can.

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Agree with Jerry--shoot the outgoer with the tight barrel on doubles. Agree with Hansli--soda straws, cardbd. Xs, Powder Control post wads will all spread it out some. Agree with shootingsioux--shoot what you want; shot considerable skeet with ic/full.

jack

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I agree with everything said above. Forget about the chokes and just shoot the clay. And there is a cool factor in shooting a SXS from a low gun position. Sure, you're going to drop a clay here and there that you wouldn't have otherwise. But tell you what--you'll be one heck of a lot better field shot. When I first started shooting this style at the gun club I was the only one. But before long a number of shooters began experimenting with low gun SXS or whatever and now it's almost normal.


John McCain is my war hero.
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I don't have a 'skeet' gun so every thing I shoot is choked tight and tighter as alot of older SxS's are. I usually shoot the doubles in reverse from the normal style to take advantage of the larger pattern at the longer range. Get on the incomer quickly first and shoot with the open barrel and then there is still plenty of time to take the outgoing bird with the full choke. Even when the outgoing bird is almost to the stake, it only takes about a 1 ft below and 1ft to the side of it to make a hit. Much less than most shooters figure. It's alot of fun shooting with the tight chokes, gives you an instant excuse for a miss, gets the older guns out of the rack for a workout and thats what I figure a fun day of shooting is supposed to be all about. Keeping score is highly over rated..(but I do allright!!)

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