Chokes
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Bigmike1461
- New Shotgunner
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2017 3:12 am
Chokes
Another question from the new guy. The choke on he left is a mod it came with my 870. The one on the right was given to me today to try it fits my barrel, does the fact that's it's longer matter or should I buy a shorter full choke? Thanks again.
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Re: Chokes
That long choke should be fine. I prefer a longer / extended choke. I think it gives the shot a fraction more time to conform into a more even pattern. They're also easier to remove.
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Synchronizor
- Elite Shotgunner
- Posts: 3022
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:04 am
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Re: Chokes
It's just an extended choke tube. The part that threads into the barrel is the same, but the tube is longer overall, and the forward end sticks out past the end of the barrel.
Primarily, the extended length gives the manufacturer more space for a less abrupt or conical-parallel design that can improve patterns - but there are other benefits as well. The extended section provides a space for marking the tube, so you can tell at a glance what tube you have installed without having to take it out or remember weird notch patterns.
But when you do need to remove them, you can grab the extended section - which is often knurled for added grip - and get them in & out by hand without using a wrench or getting your fingers dirty. Finally, if the gun or barrel is dropped on its muzzle, the choke tube will take the hit rather than the barrel itself. Choke tubes are very strong heat-treated steel, and are thicker than the very thin metal at the end of the barrel. Even if the hit damages it, it's easier and cheaper to replace a choke tube than an entire barrel.
Extended choke tubes are great, I love them, and am slowly getting around to replacing all my flush tubes with extended ones. I would go so far as to say that there's no reason not to use extended chokes unless you need to minimize length/weight, or you're on a budget and can only afford the very basic flush-fit chokes.
Primarily, the extended length gives the manufacturer more space for a less abrupt or conical-parallel design that can improve patterns - but there are other benefits as well. The extended section provides a space for marking the tube, so you can tell at a glance what tube you have installed without having to take it out or remember weird notch patterns.
But when you do need to remove them, you can grab the extended section - which is often knurled for added grip - and get them in & out by hand without using a wrench or getting your fingers dirty. Finally, if the gun or barrel is dropped on its muzzle, the choke tube will take the hit rather than the barrel itself. Choke tubes are very strong heat-treated steel, and are thicker than the very thin metal at the end of the barrel. Even if the hit damages it, it's easier and cheaper to replace a choke tube than an entire barrel.
Extended choke tubes are great, I love them, and am slowly getting around to replacing all my flush tubes with extended ones. I would go so far as to say that there's no reason not to use extended chokes unless you need to minimize length/weight, or you're on a budget and can only afford the very basic flush-fit chokes.