Tightest choke for slugs is.....?

9mmMike

New member
Quick question.
What is the tightest choke from which I can shoot slugs? I'm talking about a smooth bore, fixed choke barrel with possibly IC or maybe Modified or.....
How tight can I go before risking a barrel failure?
Thanks,
Mike
 
If you mean PLAIN LEAD slugs, you can put them through a full choke. I have done so on numerous occasions. Now, it beats up your shoulder more than open chokes, and is not conducive to accuracy.

Sabot slugs are another matter - do NOT put them through anything tighter than modified.
 
The best rule is NO choke or cylinder choke. You can do other stuff but you loose accuracy and gain danger from leading of the choke and shearing of the slug or sabot. You can eventually end up bulging your barrel or worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have given up on all chokes myself, as from the patterning I've done with my guns -- the cylinder bore, short barrels, with modern shells, hold just as tight a pattern as longer barrels and chokes. This is what I've found with my Super 90, 11-87, 870 and Mossbergs. The modern shot cups, more perfect barrels and the better shot seems to be what makes for such improved patterning. As they say, your mileage may vary.

Take care,

Jody
 
Interesting Jody......In the 60s I had a long barreled, true cylinder bored, long coned trap single built. Soot farts from the 16yd line on back. Now being shot by third generation and still doin well.

Sam
 
There's few hardnfast rules when slugs are involved, Mike.

Two of the tightest 100 yd slug groups I ever marveled at were shot through a Full choke Model 97 16 ga. By and large, tho, open chokes are better choices.

My two slug shooter 870s are nigh identical in setup. One has a 20" Remchoked bbl, the other has a chokeless 18" bbl. The 20" wears a rifled choke tube in season. The difference between the two with the best slug is less than 1" at 100 yards.

YMMV....
 
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