What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Double barrel, side by side, over-under, semi-automatic, straight-pull and lever action shotguns.

What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by ThePlinkster » 21 Jan 2021, 7:08 pm

Hey Guys

I'm just looking at buying a shotgun
(only for clay target shooting)

And the shotgun that I'm looking at purchasing comes with the following chokes:
- Improved Cylinder
- Modified
- Improved Modified
- Full

I essentially don't much about shotgun

And I'm just wondering

What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Would these chokes that I listed above there be suitable for clays?

The disciplines that I am looking at getting into are:
- Down The Line
- Skeet
- Trap

Thanks folks

I look forward to hearing your opinions on this one

Thank you
:thumbsup:
Last edited by ThePlinkster on 21 Jan 2021, 7:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by LawrenceA » 21 Jan 2021, 7:29 pm

That will depend on the direction of the clays.
Clays running across in front of you, such as in Skeet, are best shot with an open choke. Skeet choke is very slight at about 5 thou
Clays moving away such as in down the line require a tighter choke such as 3/ or Full which is about 40 thou
One well placed shot is all it takes.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by ThePlinkster » 21 Jan 2021, 7:41 pm

LawrenceA wrote:That will depend on the direction of the clays.
Clays running across in front of you, such as in Skeet, are best shot with an open choke. Skeet choke is very slight at about 5 thou
Clays moving away such as in down the line require a tighter choke such as 3/ or Full which is about 40 thou

LawrenceA;
I tried "clay target shooting" for the very 1st time recently and I quite enjoyed it
I wouldn't mind trying all the disciplines to be honest
I wouldn't mind mucking around with them all/experimenting with them all
(Whether that'd be skeet or down the line or trap etc)

So I guess I would like to know if those chokes that I mentioned above, if they will cover me for the clay target shooting disciplines that I'm interested in
(down the line, skeet and trap)
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by LawrenceA » 21 Jan 2021, 8:03 pm

Hard question mate.
Basically any choke can be used for any discipline. Naturally certain chokes are more suited to certain disciplines.
See if you can get "Skeet" choke tubes for skeet or failing that use the cylinder and improved cylinder.
For the other 2 use the Imp modified and the full.

Bit of practice and get used to the gun you will do great.
One well placed shot is all it takes.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by Col » 21 Jan 2021, 9:41 pm

Plinkster,

As Lawrence A said the skeet discipline requires much more open choke, but these are not so suitable for Down The Line (DTL). If buying one gun look at an under and over with interchangeable chokes. This will allow you to change chokes for different disciplines.
When I shot DTL, for a number of years, many people used 1/4 and 3/4 chokes. The theory was a quick first shot with the 1/4 choke was good and then a tighter second barrel for the next shot.

Whichever way you go I suggest that you pattern your gun to see where the shot pattern is in relation to where you aim. This is very important in all disciplines. Trap guns tend to shoot higher than say field/hunting guns, so knowing where your gun shoots is important in forming the right "sight picture" before pulling the trigger.

Hope this helps, and good luck. It is a great sport and you will meet many characters.

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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by ThePlinkster » 23 Jan 2021, 7:24 pm

Sorry about the delayed reply
It takes me a while to have the chance to get behind a computer..

LawrenceA;
Like I said
The shotgun that I'm looking at purchasing comes with the following chokes:
- Improved Cylinder
- Modified
- Improved Modified
- Full
If it's true that
"any choke can be used for any discipline"
I'll be fine then
I'll just muck around with all the different chokes and I'll see which choke gives me the best results in relation to the disciplines etc
I just wanted to know if the following chokes:
- Improved Cylinder
- Modified
- Improved Modified
- Full
If they'd be suitable for:
- Down The Line
- Skeet
- Trap
From what you're telling me
It sounds like I'll be fine with those chokes then (for what I wanna do)
Thanks for that
:thumbsup:

Col;
Skeet = Open Choke
Down the Line = Tighter Chokes
Got it
Thank you
Makes sense
Yes
The shotgun that I am looking at getting is over & under and it does come with interchangeable chokes
Thank you for your insight
I appreciate it
Thank you
:thumbsup:
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by LawrenceA » 23 Jan 2021, 8:23 pm

In case you have selective hearing
This is what I said.

LawrenceA wrote:Hard question mate.
Basically any choke can be used for any discipline. Naturally certain chokes are more suited to certain disciplines.
See if you can get "Skeet" choke tubes for skeet or failing that use the cylinder and improved cylinder.
For the other 2 use the Imp modified and the full.

Bit of practice and get used to the gun you will do great.

"See if you can get "Skeet" choke tubes for skeet or failing that use the cylinder and improved cylinder.
For the other 2 use the Imp modified and the full."


Others have stated the same.

It will get you going.
One well placed shot is all it takes.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by ThePlinkster » 23 Jan 2021, 8:49 pm

LawrenceA wrote:In case you have selective hearing
This is what I said.

LawrenceA wrote:Hard question mate.
Basically any choke can be used for any discipline. Naturally certain chokes are more suited to certain disciplines.
See if you can get "Skeet" choke tubes for skeet or failing that use the cylinder and improved cylinder.
For the other 2 use the Imp modified and the full.

Bit of practice and get used to the gun you will do great.

"See if you can get "Skeet" choke tubes for skeet or failing that use the cylinder and improved cylinder.
For the other 2 use the Imp modified and the full."


Others have stated the same.

It will get you going.

Lol
I don't have selective hearing
I did read what you wrote
It's just that what you wrote was a bit over my head
I'm not very familiar with the shotgun terms just yet
For example;
- I don't know what "skeet choke tubes" are
- I don't know what "lmp modified" is etc
What you said what just a bit over my head
But all good though
Thank you for your comment
I think that your comment will be very handy for me once I get started
I'll look into what you said
I plan to buy my shotgun soon so
:thumbsup:
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by Oldbloke » 29 Jan 2021, 1:23 pm

The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
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SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by Diamond Jim » 07 Feb 2021, 1:23 am

For what it is worth reviving this thread, Improved Cylinder = 1/4 choke, Mod = 1/2 choke, improved Modified = 3/4 Choke, Full = Full. Cylinder means no constriction and a very open pattern for close range (25m? YMMV). Full means a tight constriction and the pattern holds together for longer (60m? YMMV) Everything in between is a compromise that you just have to get out and try to see what works for you. Skeet is shot at close range so Cylinder and Skeet chokes are common, DTL has clays moving away from you at speed so tighter chokes are usual. Sporting Clays will have a bit of everything so you need to be ready for whatever the course designer puts in front of you.That said, for hundreds of years hunters did, and still do, just fine with fixed choke guns. They still work fine if you are prepared to learn how your gun shoots.
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Re: What "Chokes" are best for Clays?

Post by av1 » 07 Feb 2021, 7:04 pm

I use modified and full. Have tried various chokes and have taken the view that you are either on target or you are not.
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