An informal inquiry...

[Dave McCracken]

OK, Duckman, There's been a fair number of folks I've shot with but I think I recall you.

Re Red Duck, love to but work would interfere. I'd also like to do that SC intro thing they've posted on the clubhouse door but I work most Saturdays now.

Thanks for the responses. I still note the Cool Crowd are not on this. We do have some newer shooters, but they're coming along.

And, the figures might be off a little, but on average WE seem to own about 5 shotguns apiece rat now. Looks like average shell history is around 10K, skewed a bit by the high numbers of some of the stalwarts.

 

[sm]

Duckman, Welcome to THR !

nico, Welcome aboard as well. SX2 nice gun. Briley makes good stuff. I'm sure you know and have read the "101's" Dave posts along with other threads, just want to re-iterate something. What a bbl or choke is marked, ain't always what it throws. Meaning check with a pattern board and know for sure for yourself what ammo and "markings " actually do .

I'm the odd man here, but I like external knurled chokes myself; no blasted tools to keep up with, and muzzle is protected if dinged. Briley, Nu-Line, Hastings, Colonial, Tru-Choke we have a variety to choose chokes from now-a-days.

 

[P95Carry]

Steve - you mention several choke makers ........ since I had to part with my Citori (sob!) ... and now having the Baikal .... which I must say now suits me pretty well ...... I want to find some good knurled chokes. But, I know these have a special thread. Any suggestions where to look?

I use a slip on recoil pad ..... mainly because most of my longarms need lengthened and this is easiest way .... plus an increase in comfort factor.

 

[squibload]

1. About 20 years worth of shooting
2. Many thousand so far
3. Not nearly enough this year, mostly in hunting situations...about 250, but more over Christmas
4. Owned about a dozen over the years
5. Own two currently, but only use one (Beware the man with one gun...for he likely knows how to use it...) However, I won't advertise what's in the safe.

 

[Correia]

Steve brings up a good point, just because it says it is a certain kind of choke don't mean it really is. My Saiga says that it has a modified choke. After paterning it, if that is what the Russians think modified should be I would love to see their idea of full choke!

 

[sm]

Chris,

First I would contact Baikal. Brain fade and don't have link handy. The Baikal that I'm familar with was side by side, Left tube was 45-70, and had an extended knurled extension, Right tube was 12 bore and IIRC fit flush ( internal). I did not remove eitther to see if I could recognize choke maker.FWIW both tubes shot POA /POI. REALLY easy to see the left tube , I didn't lose "count" you might say when I observed my first shot...even tho it was in the black..

I would contact Hastings, Nu-Nuline and Briley and ask if they have chokes that will fit and what they suggest. Often times these folks will know what works on what. Then move onto the other makers.

---

Larry : in my limited ...whatever it is I've done...seen many bbls from the factory, though marked the same do weird stuff. Modified for example throwing I/C to extra Full.

Everyone: Better chokes from better makers are more concentric. I will say the old Winchesters are very very good in this regard. Have to consider many times getting that step- FC- done right can do a bunch to improve patterns/performance, hence do that first, to see POA/POI, and then since the patterns often changes you now have a starting place and where to go. Remember " it is a matter of BORE not Choke". So though the darn bbl is marked 12 bore the darn FC and all might be so tight it is actually more like a 16 bore in performance. That make any sense ?- I hope so sinus headache is making this hard-sorry.

Used bbls...one has to inspect and have some experience. Home "smithin" jobs"...seen 30" full choke bbls it would take the side of barn to get something big enough for the pattern...tho POA was the barn in front. My POI (pattern... if it can be called that) Hit the OTHER barn...you know that one down yonder past the old dirt road leading to the one room schoolhouse I swear a "cheater bar" would have thrown a better pattern.

And we just though the opposite sex was tough to figure out. The only Absolute about shotgun stuff is--there ain't no absolutes. Bad part is I kinda understand shotgun stuff, still have them... I don't have the women -folk...

 

[P95Carry]

I did some lookin around Steve .. and tho Cheaperthandirt has Hastings amongst others ..... my search eventually took me to .......

http://www.colonialarms.com/ct13.html

They have specials for my Baikal (in fact a huge choke selection generally) ... gave them a call and spoke to a real nice guy ..... and ordered some knurled tubes. They have some real nice ported ones but - just too expensive. What I'm getting tho are in stainless.

Anyways ... I think these will do me fine .... and I thought too ... just as well I didn't lash out on another gun at the gun show ..... or these chokes would not have been gettable yet.!!! Still somewhat of an expense ....... but have been lusting after better chokes for some while ...... so you provided the incentive to go look!

It's all your fault!!

 

[Denny Hansen]

I've been shooting shotguns since '64.
No idea how many total rounds I've fired.
I started keeping a rough tally this year, and between classes, competitions, hunting and evaluations for S.W.A.T. I've fired about 3,800 rounds. About half of that has been buckshot and slugs.

I own nine shotguns and regulary use three 870's and one 11-87P. My grandad's Wingmaster brings the total of 870's to four, and I use it for bird hunting. My Model '97 lives in the truck in an overhead rack.

To honor those who went before me, every Memorial Day I break out my great grandfather's (maternal side) damascus double ten and my other great grandfather's (fraternal side) damascus double twelve and put a few rounds of low pressure loads through them.

Denny

 

[sm]

mumble grumble...sinus headache... Chris I apologize, I plum forgot about Coloniel...and just the other day Dave even posted good stuff about them. I still highly recommend the forcing cone. IIRC the one I shot was 'pretty good' from get-go, just a wee bit of tweaking , maybe 1/2" was all that was needed. I think we , wait, I'll do this via pm or phone, don't want to share stuff that "might" get a newbie or confuse someone--remind me Chris.

It's all your fault!!

I've heard that all my life, I don't have a complex about it...just immuned to it. Comfortably Numb as Pink Floyd would say...
------
Denny:

To honor those who went before me...

Sir that hit me in a hard way, Thank you !
Oh that mist in my eye is real...sinus headache is giving me a fit for sure, affects my eyes ...eyes being misty - well hell wasn't that bad before I read your post...

 

[Dave McCracken]

P95, Carlson's carries the old Truchokes, and their literature states these fit the Baikal stuff also.

Thanks for the responses, still not any input from the Cool Crowd...

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

still not any input from the Cool Crowd...

Hey, I thought I was cool!

 

[Dave McCracken]

You are with me Jim. The Cool Crowd is something else. Shotgun paraphenalia collectors rather than shotgunners. By my lights, you're a shotgunner...

 

[ajacobs]

First, how long have you been shotgunning?

10 Yrs

Second, what do you think is your lifetime total number of shells fired?

7k

Third, how much did you shoot in the last year?

1k

Fourth, how many shotguns have you owned and how many do you own right now?

I don't sell guns

Ithaca 87
Winny 1300
2 870 20 ga youth
5 870 12 ga

Less than 500 shots have been fired at flying targets, mostly home defense related practice.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Dave,

Sorry I was late posting this:

Been shotgunning since I was... 19 or so.. call it 17 years.

# of rounds fired? No idea, we go through a case of shells or more every time we hit the clays. At a minimum 100 rounds per session. While I don't shoot it every month, over the years I'd wag a guess at say.. 5000 rounds.

With 100 or so of those being slugs, a skosh being high brass game loads fired in anger at grouse and pheasant.

# of shotguns owned: 2

Remington Sportsman 12 Magnum (that should give you an idea of how long) 870 shotgun, 12 ga, 3 inch, 2 bbls.

Pedersoli 12 ga double muzzle loader.. I've lost count of the amount of powder and shot thats gone down the bores, but at least 1 and a half BAGS (37.5 POUNDS?) of shot not too hard at 1 oz per bbl... 16 shots per pound... hmm maybe its not that much after all. Not including dimes, 36 cal balls or star washers.

Last year? Maybe 200 rds... lots of stuff going on at casa Rob.

I hunt with mine. I don't practice 'enough', but I do feel confident in my ability with an SG. I score well when we shoot IDPA side matches, and I get complimented on my gun handling. (esp. at my first match... hmmm you've done this before)

Almost ALL of my practice has been at clays. Most of my recent "practice" has been shooting on the move, using cover etc.

Good point Dave, think I'll ring in the new year with a round of clays with the old man.

 

[Black Majik]

Wow, cant believe I missed this thread! How the hell that happen...

1) How long have you been shotgunning?

Fired first shotgun @ 14 in 1996. Total "Shotgunning" would be 2 months, if that... on and off @ the clays. My interest recently sparked

2) What do you think is your lifetime total number of shells fired?

Hmm... 500 shells?

3) How much did you shoot in the last year?

My shotgun has about 200 plus another 150 off the rental guns... so, 350 shells I'm the UBER NOOB!

4) how many shotguns have you owned and how many do you own right now?

1 shotgun my entire life

- Remington Wingmaster LC

 

[Dave McCracken]

HHmm, still no word from the Cool Crowd.....

Rob,about that Pedersoli.An associate pointed out long ago that these muzzleloaders were not only lots of fun, but handled like the fine game guns that were based on that platform when breechloaders took over the wingshooting world. That thing might be a little slow to load for a round of trap or skeet, but I bet it's deadly on birds.

And I recall the Sportsman. The first economical 870.

Black, acknowledgement is the first step towards resolution(G). BA/UU/R and you won't be a noob for long.

ajacobs, 7 870s? I feel underequipped...

 

[Black Majik]

I just realized Sven's responses were almost identical to mine... LOL..


Dave, I do plan to practice whenever I can and learn whatever I can... this forum as well as shotgunworld holds a lot of valuable information. thanks for all the 101 threads, they have proven to be quite useful, and I have the opportunity to try out the techniques I've read at the local range too.

 

[Mannlicher]

While I like Shotguns, they are not my favorite firearms.

I have been shooting them for about 50 years
In my shooting lifetime, I dont think I have fired much over 5K rounds
in the last year, probably less than 200 rounds.(with a LOT more through my handguns, and AK/AR/M1A rifles)
I really dont remember how many shotguns I have owned, a lot though
right now, I have 9 at this time.

My bird hunting is few and far between now. I have switched totally to a .22 for squirrel and rabbit. Duck hunting is mostly a thing of the past for me, and I generally would not pick a shottie for larger game, such as deer or pigs.

HD is about the last use of shotguns for me. I won't be selling any of mine, especially none of the Browning A5s but I probably won't buy any more.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Lets see, started shooting shotguns when I was 10 years old, duck hunting with a 16 guage bolt action shotgun.

Since then I have owned several shotguns. Currently I own a 10 guage dbl barrel, 12 guage Winchester 1400 autoloader, 12 guage Mossberg 835 pump and a Mossberg 500 pump in 20 guage.

Figured I'd shot well over 1500 shells so far this year with dove hunting and clays.

 

[Gila Jorge]

Born in 1946.

First shotgun at 12.

First clay targets at 13.

During 1980-1985 shot 10-15000 rounds per year.
AA in all 4 guns at skeet: and AA in trap

Away from shooting for a number of years due to economic
circumstances. Am slowly getting back into shotgunning.
Now have problem with diabetci retinopathy...have hole in central
line of sight. At 35 yards the bird flys into the hole and I
can't see it. Am working on holding my head differently. Maybe
its just too damn late to ever get back.....BUT am coaching a group
of kids at church. They came in 3rs at their first trap shoot.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A coupla things folks, and thanks for your contributions.

I "know" most of you from here, and there's a couple common threads.

In all this, not one person has talked about all the accessories they've stacked on their shotgun. Of course I didn't ask about them, but not asking about them hasn't kept that off other threads here.

While the presence of a few hardcore, longtime shotgunners may skew things a bit, it sure looks like the longer and more one shoots, the less importance is given to Cool Stuff.

At the same time, I wager the usual flagon of mead that older, more experienced shotgunners are more attentive to things like good fit, clean and light triggers, and the balance/handling of their shotguns.

I hope everyone gets the point....

 

[BrownBear]

Dave, what cool accessary can you stack on a shotgun? Maybe I can duct tape my AR to the underside of my Benelli M1 Practical.

 

[ajacobs]

Dave:

ajacobs, 7 870s? I feel underequipped...

I am sure that is not the case Dave, I can certainly only shoot one at a time. I just can't resist a deal when I see one. 4 of them (2 12ga, 2 20ga) are used soley for the purpose of teaching Hunter ED which I am fairly involved with and they are bone stock except for removing locking saftey when apropriate.

In regards to Uber cool add on's

m6 scout (not mentioned in original post as I forgot it) nothing
Old single shot H&R (not mentioned in original post as I forgot it) Nothing
2 20 ga 870 -nothing
2 12 ga 870 nothing
Ithica 87 (factory full length mag) sythetic furnature and GR sights
Winny 1300 (no add ons but factory full legth)
1 12 870 slug gun wingmaster -nothing
1 12ga 870 28in? Nothing
1 12 ga 870 3.5 in turky gun nothing
1 12 ga 870 house gun, surefire light, plastic furnature, sling mounts, lengthend forcing cone, no side saddle or special sights

Does this qulify me for the cool group?

 

[P95Carry]

the less importance is given to Cool Stuff

I think you have a point Dave .... all my shotties are decidely un-tactical!!

My only concession to ''cool'' ... and that is hardly appropriate as a word in this instance .. is the use of - shall we say ..... ''turkey sight'' add-ons ......... those things that clip on the rib, and glow in daylight.

As a less than experienced shotgunner .. I find these help me (and my eyesight) more than simple beads.

 

[sm]

Call me a relic,call me what you will
Say I'm old fashioned,say I'm over the hill
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

Hmm, I'm not Cool huh? Lessee, some kids and dogs think I'm pretty Cool, granted some consider me a Relic...dogs don't care, especially if I have peppermint...I've always spoilt dogs that way.

Let me tell ya this here fella "done tricked" out , yep, yesireee. Forcing cones lengthened, Nu-Line chokes on a SX1, put a mid bead sight on, added sling swivel studs.Great trigger from get-go, tweaked where it breaks like glass. Even bought one of them high dollar synthetic slings, of course after gettng stomped into the mud, sitting in ice it broke...mended my ways went back to leather. [ Forgive me Father, I have...]

Other guns added mid beads, bought after market chokes ( factory ones and pattern board wouldn't get their act together...also prefer external knurled ones--no dadblasted wrench needed), new Decelator pads to better fit me, that and well that dadburn ice tends to cut pads. Smoothed triggers, Replace beads that busted off, added sling studs, and shortened one bbl to 24"...well bought a 30 incher that someone tried to shoot the mud out it, a twenty dollar bill, filled up his tank with gas and bought him breakfast. His 870 went home with no bbl...mine came home with two. Some elbow grease,and time to refinish a few stocks, briars, rocks, and John Deere tractors run into stuff ya know...ice jumps up and grabs 'em too.

OK, so I'm not cool by today's definition...must mean I'm a Relic then. Must be, 'cause I shot my fair share of paper hulls...reloaded them, shot 'em again. Spent more time shooting and reloading than messing with stuff, if it ain't broke don't fix it--If it don't fit--fit it and leave the durn thng alone. Work just got in the way or would have been out more...hunting. range, teaching...

I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll - Segar