o/u choke tubes

[Axis II]

picked up a stoeger condor 20ga for rabbits and squirrel and noticed during squirrel season I couldn't hit squat.

the bottom barrel goes off first and has a imp cyl choke and the tops a mod if I remember right.

could it be the spreads too much or the bottom barrel isn't even shooting at them?

I shot some skeet with it this past weekend and it did somewhat fine, I noticed the clays didn't shatter like they do with the 12ga though.

what would you guys suggest for a choke set up on that gun for squirrel, rabbit and pheasant?

 

[PapaG]

modified on bottom, full on top. You didn't say what shot size you were using...rabbit and pheasant, and squirrel also usually call for #6. You might consider the premium shells with plated shot for better patterns. I'd bet you were using promo shells which typically have softer shot and patterns open up faster than with hard. Also, pattern the gun to see where the center of the poi is. The lower priced guns often don't pattern where you look.

 

[oneounceload]

If you remember right? So does it have choke tubes or is it fixed with an IC on the bottom and a M on top (which is a VERY common set up for upland)

IC will kill things to 40 yards so how far are you shooting rabbits?

Have you actually patterned your barrels at the pattern board to see:
1 - if they actually shoot where you point them (regulation) and
2 - what they really pattern with your choice of ammo?

You need to do those things first before trying to address something that might not be the issue.

As to what choke, after the above has been done, then comes down to how you hunt - alone or with a dog? With a dog, I'll use SK or IC in the bottom and a M on top; and without, a M on the bottom and IM or F on top.

 

[Axis II]

no dog and its fine for rabbits but shot at about 3 squirrel last season in the trees and didn't kill them.

the gun has removable chokes, I remember the bottom having an imp cyl but not 100% on the top one.

yes I use federal #6 shot.

 

[Hookeye]

Full choke and 4's.

Worked in a 12 just fine (but squirrel hunting with shotgun was a one season deal, went back to .22 rifles and pistols).

Does anybody make a low brass 5 anymore?
Think that'd be ideal for rabbit.

I get on 'em fast so don't need a bunch of holes.

Might have to have cuz load me some.

BTW, have never been a fan of the cheap shotshells. Fine for screwing around on clays, but even there my pref is for old AA stuff.
Hunting...........saw a night and day diff yrs ago when I started (soon after picking up shotgunning)..........using WW Expert loads.

Expensive but on sale quite the bargain. Stuff fell dead.
7.5 20 ga mod choke my fave dove load.
Good hull, hot and heavy load (for low brass) of hard shot in a good wad.

IMHO what they call Expert now is nothing near as good.

Still too much shot for bunnies 7.5. Snagged some 6's way back. Worked better.

 

[Axis II]

I run federal number 6 low brass for rabbits, I think they are just called game loads. when squirrel and pheasant I was using pheasant forever loads, high brass.

I was thinking of running my single shot 12ga with full choke and maybe # 4 for sept squirrel season cause kind of hard with 22lr until leaves come off.

 

[I6turbo]

If you haven't patterned your shotgun with the loads that you're shooting, at the distances you're shooting, you can't know what's going on. Not all shotguns shoot where the operator thinks they are aiming, not all shotguns pattern well with a given load, etc. Patterning a shotgun is essential, IME.

 

[oneounceload]

Yep, and it needs to be done with the ammo you intend to use. Practicing and patterning with wally world Federals and then going afield with Fiocchi Golden Pheasants is not the way to go.