Now that I have my super duper awesome CZ woodcock 12ga I've started up clay shooting! Hopefully latter this summer Ill do some hunting with it... pending Im good enough.

My issue is this thing came with 5 chokes: Full, Modified, Improved Modified, Cylinder and Improved Cylinder. Unfortunately for me... I have no idea how to set up this over under. Which choke goes in which barrel? Which barrel is commonly fired first?

Let me know how you guys have yours set up. Honestly, I just want to put two chokes in that are generally a GOOD all around combo for an average clay shooter/bird hunter.

Thanks guys!

Honestly, I just want to put two chokes in that are generally a GOOD all around combo for an average clay shooter/bird hunter.

Thanks guys!

Trap = Mod, Mod (or Full, Full if you like powder)
Skeet = IC, IC or Skeet1, Skeet2

Birds = IC, Mod. IC for close shots, Mod as they are headed away.

Typically you have an open choke in the first barrel you fire (the right one on a side-by-side). The next barrel will have a tighter choke.

The thought process is that when a bird is flushed, you first shot will be closer.
So the open choken will open up the pattern giving you a better chance of hitting it, and also not tearing up as much meat.

The second shot is going to be further out, so the tighter choke helps the long range pattern shot density. More pellet strikes on the target, and increasing the chances of a good kill.

I shoot modified on about everything.
I have a 20 ga, that I only use full. For some reason I can't seem to kill anything unless I am using a full choke and #4 shot. That gun has always liked #4 shot. Even on grouse, that is what I used. #7.5 shot in that gun was like shooting saw dust.

My Auto 5 likes #6 shot. Regardless of choke, it just throws #6 and #7 1/2 a whole lot better than any other shot. It doesn't throw #4 well at all.

These are my perception after hunting for years with both guns. I have never patterned and counted shot, chronographed, etc.
After years of experience in the field, I came to those conclusions.

I do pattern shotguns. It is very important to me to know the hold.
The Auto 5 shoots high. So you put the bead under the target (making it easy target aquisition because you see the target and the sight.
The 20 ga, you cover the target with the bead.
I have a 12 ga SxS that shoots low, I can't get used to it and never use it.

I have shot clay birds with the choke completely removed from the barrel...

Good way to win lots of money on bets. So far I haven't messed up any choke threads either...:grinpimp:

I almost always go with an IC or modified...

Mod on Barrel 1
Full on barrel 2

The L.C. Smith I shoot is a full/full full. I knocked a clay at 60 yards last time I shot. The thrower cursed because it was hard shot

I shoot trap, skeet, wobble, and sporting with a super full and hunt with a mod(unless I'm turkey hunting) on my pump

I usually shoot the bottom barrel first with the most open choke. Supposedly the bottom barrel of an over and under, fired first, gives the recoil sensation as a push back, keeping the sight picture going. The the top barrel gives the sensation of a push up. I shoot skeet with skeet chokes. hunt upland birds with skeet or cyl or Imp cyl bottom and Mod of imp mod top. for waterfowl, steel shot, cyl bottom, mod of imp mod top. Pattern that shot gun and see where it shoots. My bet is that the barrels will intersect patterns at 45-50 yds. Lemme know as I am supercurious.....

I have shot clay birds with the choke completely removed from the barrel...



:eek: "Oh Noes!!!"



Good way to win lots of money on bets. So far I haven't messed up any choke threads either...:grinpimp:

:laughing:

That's funny.

I'm glad you posted; I've wanted to try that but have always been told, "Nope. You'll instantly screw up your threads."

pick a set and stick with them. I usually have cyl/ic in my o/u for quail/skeet and mod/IM for dove/duck. chokes are more of a mental thing than actually making a huge difference in your shooting. learn how to hit the center of your targets and most chokes will do just fine.

-scott

:eek: "Oh Noes!!!"

:laughing:

That's funny.

I'm glad you posted; I've wanted to try that but have always been told, "Nope. You'll instantly screw up your threads."

The wad is made out of plastic so it separates the shot from actually touching the barrel walls