Skeet shooting with a side by side: What chokes are best?

[orpington]

I’m guessing choked (American) Skeet and Skeet, but that’s a guess. I’ve never shot a side by side in such a configuration, and sometimes, having used modified and full, that full choke comes in handy when a clay pigeon gets too far out.

I know of a shotgun constricted .007” which is being identified as improved cylinder both barrels, even though it’s between skeet and improved cylinder (American). This is a 12 gauge.

And, while I’m at it, what gauge is best. I’m guessing 12 gauge, but perhaps there are other considerations?

 

[Lo-Profile]

I shoot a O/U, use skeet chokes US in one EU in the other. I use the US choke for going away and the EU for incoming.

Really only because I have them. Don't think there's much difference. But it messes with other competitors heads

Two skeet chokes would work just fine for most people, I shoot them in my 28g and other guns I don't have a EU for.

I shoot 12, 20 and 28 gauge guns.
Mostly 20 or 28 so I can save the 12 for Trap and Sporting Clays

 

[cfullgraf]

I started shooting skeet with my Dad’s 28 ga side by side. I don’t know how it is choked but I did ok with it.

When I was actively competing in skeet, I used a Citori over/under with skeet chokes in the 12 ga barrels and the sub-gauge tubes were machined with skeet chokes.

Today, there are two different screw in skeet chokes available. Worth a try to see what works best for you.

Also, sub-gauge tubes can be had with screw in chokes these days.

For skeet, the distance to the target for both the incoming target and out going target is about the same so the same choke works well for the most part.

Although with two different constriction skeet chokes available, the tighter choke could be used on the outgoing targets and the more open chokes used on the incoming targets.

I’m not sure any current production side by side has screw in chokes but it is possible.

Skeet chokes are more open than improved cylinder and modified chokes.

 

[Jim Watson]

A Skeet shooter here had ordered a Superposed in Cylinder and Cylinder when one piece “power piston” wads came out, on the expectation of closer patterns from the wad alone.

 

[Roverguy]

Skeet and Cylinder.

 

[huntersdog]

Skeet and Cylinder.

This.

 

[orpington]

It seems that while skeet and cylinder are the desired chokes, a barrel constricted .007” for a 12 ga (x2) isn’t a bad option as, technically, it’s between skeet and improved cylinder, although it’s being advertised as improved cylinder in both barrels.

 

[PapaG]

The original choke designations: skeet in and skeet out. Or SK1 and SK2

 

[Thomasss]

You need to pattern your guns and find which has the best pattern for you. Mark a 3 inch black center on a 30 Inch circle. Aim at the black and shoot. Half the hits should be just above the black mark for skeet. In trap, 60 to 80% should be above the black center. All guns shoot different, all chokes and tubes shoot different (regardless of the interior measurements) and all shells you shoot are different. (You didn't mention if you reload shotshells.) I shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. I shoot one 12 gauge gun for all. There is a saying "Be aware of the man who shoots one gun.". It is difficult to switch guns and see the same site down a barrel. Some people can, but most people cannot. Start with a 12 gauge. pattern with 1 1/8 ounce loads. Trap shooting can start with Improved modified and go all the way to full shooting choke at 30 yards. Skeet can start with Improved and go wider at 15 yards. People will argue those distances are too short. No. You are shooting to see the performance of the pattern and how well you handle the gun. Longer distances will hide your effectiveness and pattern with the gun. The test patterns is the best way to see the consistently to hit targets. Be sure to shoot the same shells and shoot the best shells you can afford. As you improve shooting skeet or trap, then consider moving to different chokes or smaller gauged guns. You don't have to worry about distance in skeet, only in trap and then only when shooting handicap.

 

[bangswitch]

I shot skeet for a number of years with a SxS that had fixed mod/full chokes. Then I bought another gun that had the screw-ins and I have the cyl/imp cyl in it. Skeet (and clays in general) got a little easier after that.