Quick Pump Shotgun Choke Question

[Noah]

I am getting a new utility pump gun at an upcoming gunshow, either a used Mossberg 500 or maybe an H&R Pardner Pump, depending on the prices and what's available. If all that fails and there is nothing I like, I'll cave and get a Pardner Pump at Dick's for $180. Before you say "get an 870", I have handled them and don't like the pump and find the grip too small. I like the Pardner Pump and my dad has a Mossberg that I am familiar with and have put hundreds of rounds through. I have been killing myself over whether to get an 18.5" Cylinder Barrel or a regular 28" barrel. This one is especially important for the H&R, as I can't find any barrels for it online. I, by personal experience, was not happy with my Dad's Mossberg's cylinder bore shooting various flying pests with birdshot, and it's hard to have fun plinking when the pattern is 3 feet wide
I also enjoy, and have the need for, shooting slugs and buckshot, and like the 18.5" Mossy with plain jane Remington 1 oz "Sluggers", especially with its added rifle sights.
Yes, I know you CAN shoot slugs and buck out of a choked barrel, but I'm the kind of person who hates doing anything that might harm my guns, and am inclined to believe from what I've read that slugs are bad for chokes beyond IC.
Yes, I know I could just get a Mossberg and a number of barrels, and I would if I could, but money's tight. I have $195 and a lot of ammo, and won't be getting any money save a few temp jobs until Christmas unless I get an actual job, and usually that goes into ammo, more ammo, the car, tithe, and such. Therefore I want to go inexpensive, notice I didn't say cheap. I have handled a Pardner and have been pleased with everything I have read online. If there's a Maverick 88 at the gun show, I'd consider that as well.



Anyway, I had a total duh moment, and realized, can't I just get the 28" barrel and remove the choke to shoot slugs and buck? (assuming yes here before anyone calls me dumb if this is true) Do I even need to put in a Cylinder screw in choke, maybe IC, and if so, where do I get one and what brands fit the H&R and Mossberg? All my previous and current shotguns have been/are fixed chokes, be they single shot Mods or the aforementioned Mossberg Cylinder, so I know nothing about screw in chokes. At all.


I want a do it all budget shotgun to take with me when I leave the house and have fun with, hunt with, obsess over, clean compulsively, and I want the most bang for my buck. I have a really cranky Winchester 290 .22 and some H&R single shots, but I love pump shotguns and have saved up some cash, now I want to get as much as I can for every hard earned, grass mowing, letter folding dollar, enter the most versatile barrel choice. I have Crows, Coyote, Rabbits, Squirrels, Opossums, and Raccoons in my lovely hickville yard, as well as beloved pets, a nice yummy garden, and lots of guns, if you take my meaning. I also hope to head out to my Uncle's farm to hunt Deer, Rabbits, and Coyotes a few weekends next year. I plink or target shoot almost every day, for some mostly useless background information. Thanks in advance!

 

[Fred Fuller]

can't I just get the 28" barrel and remove the choke to shoot slugs and buck?

You could.

But you probably don't want to, as it's too likely to screw up the threads where the choke tubes go. Just get a more open choke tube and use that. Mossberg uses Mossberg choke tubes, H&R uses H&R - http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/accessories/accessories.asp.

 

[Noah]

Thanks, question answered. New one: Do you need any tools to change choke tubes yourself?

And, after some looking around, it appears that both the Mossberg and H&R use the "Invector" choke tubes, is this correct?

 

[Fred Fuller]

I usually use a quarter in changing flush fitting choke tubes on my 870s, new guns that come with choke tubes usually include a choke tube wrench as an accessory. Choke tube lube is another good thing to have if you use choke tubes.

See http://www.colonialarms.com/misc.html for pictures of one version of a choke tube wrench and choke tube lube. See http://www.remingtoncountrystore.co...=1&categoryid=3564&productid=2909&topcat=1038 for Remington's factory choke tube wrench (this one for 16/20 gauge).

 

[morcey2]

Thanks, question answered. New one: Do you need any tools to change choke tubes yourself?

yes. here's the list:

1. Belt Sander
2. Butane lighter
3. High-capacity drop forge w/ appropriate dies.
4. Complete Justin Beiber collection.
5. Transmission Jack
6. volt meter
7. Vacuum tube tester
8. perry the platypus PEZ dispenser
9. Martha Stewart Collection 100% cotton towels in taupe and burgundy. Make sure you don't accidentally get the John Stewart collection towels. I'll never make that mistake again.
10. Correct choke tube wrench for the gun.
11. Choke tube grease (I use wheel bearing grease).

Throw out 1-9 and you should be good.

Sounds like you need to do some more studying up on this before you get one.

Matt

 

[oneounceload]

You also need to remember to remove the choke tube when cleaning the gun so you can clean the threads inside the barrel. Use GREASE, not oil when reinstalling the chokes and tighten until snug - do NOT overtighten as you will damage the choke's skirt and do more harm than good. Grease will allow easy entry/exit of the tube without it working its way out too easily which oil will do. If you are shooting a lot, then check the tightness every now and again to make sure it is still seated snug.

"Invector" chokes are the same as the Browning and are available just about everywhere guns are sold, including the big-box stores like Dick's and Gander

 

[Noah]

morcey2- I actually began going over that list and noting what was in my grandfather's workshop next door (a little confused for sure), belt sander, propane torch, before I stopped and laughed. As for the research, agreed, and that's what I'm doing.

I'd just google things like this, but that never seems to work for me, and I prefer just asking people who know everything about what I'm asking. I have looked at some chokes and clamp on sights on the Bass Pro site, I think I know where I'm headed after the next temp job check comes in.

 

[rcmodel]

from what I've read that slugs are bad for chokes beyond IC.

Not true.

Rifled slugs generally give best accuracy in a CYL or IMP CYL choke.

But shooting them in any tighter choke such as MOD or FULL will not harm the barrel or choke in the slightest.

That is what the little "rifling" vanes on the slug are for.
Slugs are already smaller then any standard choke, but even if they weren't, the little vanes allow the soft lead to deform into the grooves and size down to fit anything.

They actually do nothing to impart rifling spin to the slug in flight, as no smooth laminar flow air even touches them in flight.

rc

 

[hAkron]

Go to Walmart. Mossberg 500 with a 28" barrel is $229.

 

[Noah]

Considering I have a job interview today, that doesn't sound bad at all. Thanks!

 

[Lord Palmerston]

Mossberg 500 guns have Accu-Choke tubes. Invector and Invector Plus chokes fit mainly Browning and Winchester shotguns. That said, you may also use chokes from another manufacturer, such as Trulock. Just check that they fit you gun.

 

[mdg_01]

I have a Pardner Pump myself and just went through trying to get a choke that would fit it for slug hunting. I was told by a hunting buddy to get a rifled choke. I went to every local outfitter and not one of them carried a rifled choke tube and as far as getting an Invector the only ones they carried were the Invector Plus wich I found out the will not fit. It must be an Invector without the Plus. I found one on Cabelas web site with ship n hand it ran about 55.00. After I installed it on the Pardner and put 5 through it I was getting a 3.5" grouping at 100 yrds using Winchester Super X 1oz 2 n 3qt

 

[morcey2]

Mossberg 500 guns have Accu-Choke tubes. Invector and Invector Plus chokes fit mainly Browning and Winchester shotguns. That said, you may also use chokes from another manufacturer, such as Trulock. Just check that they fit you gun.

Accu-Choke is identical to Winchoke and Invector. I've used OEM Accu-choke tubes in my 1300 before, but I like the extended Carlson chokes. I've heard Trulock chokes are made from pot-metal and usually melt after 10 rounds or so. Seriously though, I've never used Trulock, but they're supposed to be great chokes.

Matt

 

[natman]

Mossberg 500 guns have Accu-Choke tubes. Invector and Invector Plus chokes fit mainly Browning and Winchester shotguns. That said, you may also use chokes from another manufacturer, such as Trulock. Just check that they fit you gun.

Mossberg calls them Accu-choke tubes. They are the same as Browning Invector tubes and Winchester Winchoke tubes.

They are not the same as Invector Plus chokes.