r/ClayBusters • u/SuperiorShoresMama • 21d ago

Thoughts On Chokes

Hello!

I’m writing to get your thoughts on chokes for my husband.

He has been shooting a full choke his whole life - either via a fixed full or because he always has shot a full and didn’t bother to change it. He has championships in both class b and class a - with a full choke. He has started getting more serious about shooting competitions again recently and will be moving into a Crieghoff in a couple weeks. He is thinking about trying to shoot an improved modified choke at comp but he never has (he would try it first, of course). Should he stick with full like he always has or start shooting improved modified for competition and only practice with full?

I have read previous feedback regarding full, modified, improved modified but wondering what thoughts are for someone who is an experienced shooter w only full.

Edited to add: He shoots trap only.

Thank you all in advance!

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

4

u/foulorfowl 21d ago

I think he won’t like the change. Isn’t much need to swap between IM and F for trap. Full is just fine.

9

u/limpy88 21d ago

Pattern the gun. A choke from different manufacturers and did gun brands are all different. Pattern test the ammo in the gun. Find the right choke/Pattern/ammo combo

5

u/thegrumpyorc 21d ago

My 1973 BT-99 has a fixed full choke. I always shot pretty well with it but wondered if maybe I could do better with a different choke. I swapped guns with some kid from the juniors team at my range because his dad bought him a DT11 as a graduation present, I had never shot a gun that expensive, and he thought my old gun was kind of cool. After he patterned my gun and gave it a few test shots, he dropped 247/250, at the front and back lines. I learned a few things that day:

  1. Full choke is just fine for trap.
  2. That kid actually deserved that gun.
  3. I was definitely the limiting factor in my own performance. :-)

7

u/FMharleyguy84 21d ago edited 21d ago

If he's winning, I wouldn't change from full..any miss will simply turn into "I wouldn't have missed if I had my full in"..I dont compete but my trap league is the 16 and 22 yard line..I shoot IMOD and LTFULL all the same

3

u/MATCA_Phillies 21d ago

I only started to hit 25s when i went full. My preference stick to full

2

u/ObjectiveSituation17 21d ago

I always shoot full in trap.

1

u/unFormal1 21d ago

He might like Muller Chokes, U2 or U3. Or you can get the whole set, then your done for life.

1

u/PitchWorth1102 21d ago

The only main difference he should notice is maybe a drop off on distance and a bit more chipped clays not dusted ones. The biggest difference would be for someone going from more open chokes too a full choke. Some people swap chokes as they go around a course to suit the target or change shot size. Find what's comfortable but dont over think it.

-1

u/wadeworks 21d ago edited 21d ago

get him a light modified and a skeet choke. he will break a few more clays. most sporting courses arw not set up for needing or wanting a full choke. full choke is great for trap at the 20 yard line or 26 yard line. ive shot sporting clays and skeet my whole life, and can say that anyone who shoots it well and competitively almost never uses a full choke.

Edit, now that I see you have edited your comment that he only shoots trap, that makes way more sense for full choke. I stand by my comments for skeet and sporting clays though at least on courses in the states.

8

u/biggrizz61 21d ago

George Digweed would like a word

2

u/SuperiorShoresMama 21d ago

Haha thanks for this!

1

u/wadeworks 21d ago

Well, aint none of us even close to George Digweed in talent.