12 gauge shotgun choke and ammo selection
- Thread starter TRAPMAN
- Start date
BroncoGlenn
New member
#4 buck seems to be the general consensus around here, followed by BB.
As for choke, use whichever one patterns best.
As for choke, use whichever one patterns best.
I think it depends on what type of predator you are calling as well.For coyotes I reccomend #4buck.The buck patterns best out of my mossberg 835 with a modified tube.The tighter the constriction the worse the pattern(I experimented with several of my turkey chokes).If you are calling fox I would reccomend shooting regular #4shot.The buck is a bit large for fox.Just my 2cents.Good luck and good hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
BroncoGlenn
New member
I witnessed first hand last night that #4 bird shot works wonders on kit fox. Crapshoot hit one on the run quartering away with some 2 3/4" #4 bird shot at 35-40 yards and stopped that fox immediately.
coyote control
New member
I agree with BroncoGlenn on the shot size, I have been using that size for over 25 yrs with great results.
But, that size works even better since I bought the Pattern Master choke tube. The first testing done 2 years ago was at 40 yds with a 30" circle, with the 3" Fed and the 3" Rem Nickel BK #4, I was placing 37 pellets in the circle (out of 41). But when I layed down a drawing of the exact size of a coyote, it showed that there was 29 pellets in the body and that's not counting the legs.
But, that size works even better since I bought the Pattern Master choke tube. The first testing done 2 years ago was at 40 yds with a 30" circle, with the 3" Fed and the 3" Rem Nickel BK #4, I was placing 37 pellets in the circle (out of 41). But when I layed down a drawing of the exact size of a coyote, it showed that there was 29 pellets in the body and that's not counting the legs.
yotecaller
New member
I use #4 Buck shot and also 00 buck. My Browning A-5 has a Full choke barrel on it.
BroncoGlenn
New member
Odie, I ran some 3 1/2" 10 gauge loads with T steel shot through a full choke. The pattern had a fair number of fliers and a few gaps in the pattern. The Modified choked barrel produced a better pattern without the holes and fliers like the full, with about the same overall pattern size.Originally posted by OdieWon:
[qb]Anyone ever run some 3 1/2 inch T steel shot through a full choke? I'm about to tomorrow, just want to make sure that I'm not going to blow the end of the barrel off.[/qb]
Pattern testing was done at around 25-30 yards.
Mossberg 835. Remington Express #4 Buck, patterns best through my factory supplied extra full turkey choke. Is deadly to 60 yards. Started w/ my modified choke thinking this turkey choke would be too tight and would produce a scattered pattern, glad I did some range work and patterned it. That turkey choke patterns almost twice as tight as the modified.
Larry Timmons
New member
I don't understand why anyone would shoot predators with steel shot, the only reason that crap came into existence is some one thinks lead in the water is gonna kill us all. Lead is heavier in a smaller better patterning package, besides it's a lot cheaper. The reason you have to shoot TTT shot at ducks and the like is because they won't let you shoot #2 lead anymore. Number four buck is readily available at about a buck a shell, and even that makes me cringe. Reloading 1 1/2 oz. of nickel plated lead BBs for a cheaper alternatiive. It also patterns better. It also seems to me that steel to steel contact can't be to swooft on your shotguns barrel. Hope I;m not being narrow minded but that's my observation.
BroncoGlenn
New member
There isn't a direct steel on steel contact as the steel shot rides inside the wad.
The steel shot tends to fly a little straighter than lead as the pellets don't deform as badly when going through the choke. However, over-choking can lead to increased strays as the shot column can't compress laterally like lead can. I've reclaimed some steel pellets from water jugs and they were near perfectly round, ready to be reloaded and shot again.
Older barrels are another story as they can be damaged by steel shot. But modern barrels are really not an issue.
WolverineAtWork
New member
You need to make sure that your choke is rated for steel shot. Oh, and btw, the reason for non-toxic shot isn't because they're worried about it entering the water supply. It's because waterfowl will eat the stuff off the bottom and die of lead poisoning.
In typical tree-hugger fashion, they're not worried about us, they're worried about the animals.
In typical tree-hugger fashion, they're not worried about us, they're worried about the animals.
I hunt predators for the fur, as well as the enjoyment ...and I have found that, for me at least, Winchester's 3 inch copper coated BB's pattern and work best, with #4 buck real close, from my 870 Express with an extra full turkey choke. ... I have tried 00 Buck, but if they are too close, it just kills them a little deader than the fur buyer seems to like.
Mongojoe
Mongojoe
BroncoGlenn
New member
Interresting. Although I have to wonder about the usefullness of such chokes with steel. From what I have experienced, and have heard from others, the steel doesn't require as tight of a choke as lead to keep the pattern tight. Where lead might require an full or extra full, steel may need a modified or improved modified for the same patterning. Overchoking the steel shot tends to create a lot of fliers and holes in the pattern.
Rich Cronk
New member
There are some waterfowl area's where lead shot is not allowed. These are places I avoid. I have no desire to handicap myself by using steel shot on coyotes. Lead is heavier and carries further. Most of the choke tube makers warn against shooting steel through a choke tube that is not designed for such use. They don't want to be held responsible if someone shoots the end of their shotgun barrel off. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif