If practicality is your only objective, then I'd open the chokes. But based on the fact that we are talking about a 120 year old fine English hammer gun, I'm guessing there is more toyour calculus than that.

If you are only shooting a flat or two of ammunition a year, I'd pay the premium and just purchase some commercial polywad spreaders and keep the gun original. I'm not a purist, but if we are only talking a smal extra cost (ammunition) and only sacrificing a small bit of performance, then why alter the gun in a way that can't be undone.

Ken