enlighten me!

[pietromarc]

I am going pheasant hunting this weekend woohoo!

I am a virgin wing shooter, but have shoot some traps.
I am shooting a borrowed Remington 12ga semiauto.

My question is, I have 4 chocks that came with the gun
Full
mod
improved cylinder
SK 1

Which one should I through in the gun to go after those wild Chinese chickens?
and also could someone describe the intended duties of the others?

My guess would be the modified, due to that it is somewhere in-between the tightest pattern and the widest.

[DKScott]

For pen-raised birds, I'd go with the modified choke and #6 shot (they'll tell you to use 7 1/2, but 6 is better. Same for wild birds early season, go with a full choke for later season birds if they are flushing further out. #5 shot is useful in late season as well, if you can find any.


Full and mod are useful for trap (IC is OK for 16 yard Trap) and waterfowl and chukar. Skeet is for Skeet and maybe close-in doves (skeet 1 is a hair tighter than skeet 2 - or maybe the other way around. The difference isn't worth much). IC is a good quail choke, especially with a double barrel shotgun - have mod in barrel 2. Same set up for chukar if they're close or pen-raised

Scott

[Speckmisser]

I've really only shot pen-raised pheasants, so my experience is limited. However, I can tell you authoritatively that my Stevens 311 in Mod/Full will RIP A BIRD TO SHREDS if I don't let him get some distance.

I'm sure DK may know better than I, but I would strongly suggest that you consider opening up the choke to Improved for preserve birds. Heck, if I had interchangeable chokes on my gun, I'd use Skeet choke (SK1) and Imp.

Never shot wild birds, but I've heard they're tougher and tend to flush further out, so a tighter choke may be more appropriate.

I do agree about using #6 instead of 7 1/2 or 8 shot.

[DKScott]

Good point Speckmisser; its best to let 'em get out aways before you blast 'em

[pietromarc]

Speckmisser
Should i use the improved cylinder even though i am new to the sport?

[Speckmisser]

Pietro,

It's really only my "educated" opinion, but if you are shooting on a preserve (pen-raised birds), then opening up your choke (to Improved) will be more beneficial since it also opens up your spread. You'll have the added benefit of not mutilating the close birds as badly, while still being able to smack the flyers at a reasonable range.

With #6 shot and Imp cylinder, I think you'd have much more success than using a tighter choke (such as Mod).

Modified choke will give you a tighter pattern, which will kill cleaner at longer range, but will also require you to be more accurate in your shooting unless the birds are flushing outside of 30 yards. This is more likely with wild birds than with pen-raised birds.

Probably the very best advice I can give is, if you have time, take the gun and choke combination you think you'll want and shoot some clays. The combination you hit best with is what you should use... then don't look back.

Remember, you can always switch chokes if you find that circumstances call for it.

[pietromarc]

Thanks guys, I am hunting first thing tomorrw morning, but i will practice on a few clays with the improved cyn first. I 'll report back!

[Qbn Hunter]

I use a 20 ga. for pheasants. For pen raised birds I use SK/IC. For wild pheasants I use IM/Full.

[DanV]

I use my I/C choke for pheasants, pen raised or wild birds in the early season wether I'm shooting my 20 or 12 ga. My modified tube is always in my pocket just in case they range a little further.

You say you are new to wing shooting, go with the I/C or your Skeet choke, you will have much more success. Don't worry too much about letting those birds getting out far enough, most likely your reaction time as a beginner will be a little slow and they will be out far enough. Good luck on your hunt!

[Whoadog]

Dan you must be pretty quick that you can change chokes that fast when they get a little further out.

Brian

[DanV]

Brian,

HA!HA!HA! You know what I meant. We never did go hunting last year, guess you got your limit on hunting partners early (one per season). Hope he does not hold a grudge. I know,below the belt, cheap shot! We need to get together this season if possible.