-Mongrel- Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 ...as I'm confused as anything. I have a Bettinsoli that is proofed for steel, 3" carts and has multichokes. I am going 'fowling on Monday for the first time and will be using steel. What chokes do you use and what's your thinking behind your choice of choke and cartridge? I think I'm right in saying that I need a more open choke for steel to get similar shot patterns but how is it worked out? What would be a good start point to choke at without making life too difficult for myself as I'll have enough to think about without worrying about chokes. Does the same thing apply to Bismuth as it does for steel? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) use the 2 most open chokes you have (quarter & skeet!?) should really try pattern the cartridges through different chokes and see which is best yes it patterns tighter than lead nothing tighter than half... my 'thinking' behind it is that it is unsafe to use tight chokes with steel unless you get chokes which are specially made for use with steel!! bismuth will go through tighter chokes safely but i wouldnt use anymore than half choke PATTERN is the key word in everything pal, test all cartridge and choke combos...thats the only way to find out whats best! Edited September 10, 2011 by TJ91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) 1/2 choke for me good patterns upto 50 yards Edited September 10, 2011 by utectok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildfowler12 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Nothing tighter than half choke! Cylinder and quarter will do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAsh Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Betinsolli instructions with my gun states limited to half choke on all steel shots Most agree steel is two chokes tighter so half choke is equal to full when patterning steel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Mmmmmmmmm not two chokes in my experience but each to his own. Pattern it thats the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 even cylinder choke can put a full pattern on the plate. recomend you pattern your chokes, start off with cyl and then skeet or 1/4. if they pattern ok. use them, steel doesnt respond too well choking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 It's worth doing patterns but the general rule is no more than half choke for steel loads. That choke allegedly is the equivalent to full choke using lead and improved cylinder is quarter in steel. But I would chose suitable loads and pattern them, if they throw good patterns then stick to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Looks like patterning is the plan then...just need to find a pattern plate! Anyone know of one around East Sussex? Just tried the two closest grounds (Northall and Southdown) but neither have a plate as yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 (edited) i just use abit foam with cardboard/paper stuck on it, draw a couple of circles on the cardboard/paper stick it at base of a bank at whatever distance i want and give it a barrell, check pattern, fresh bit of cardboard/paper and off we go again. not the best job but gives me a good idea of whats hot and whats not!! EDIT Foam...i use that kingspan building insulation stuff Edited September 12, 2011 by TJ91 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Pattern Testing. Just get a roll of the table covering that they sell for fetes and garden parties. It is about 3' wide and rolls are much longer than wall-paper. Simple square wood frame for drawing pins and a prop to hold it up and you are in business. Cut several 3' square sheets and after testing mark them up and keep them for future reference. I would advise you not to draw a 30" circle until after you have shot. Just centre the ring on the densest area of shot. It is not a rifle and you will never get the shot spot on to the circle at 30 or 40 yds. I alway pattern at 40 yds for wildfowling loads - 30 for game and pigeon. Start with cylinder choke and increase to limit of half choke for steel but make sure your gun/chokes are proofed for steel shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Pattern Testing. Just get a roll of the table covering that they sell for fetes and garden parties. It is about 3' wide and rolls are much longer than wall-paper. Simple square wood frame for drawing pins and a prop to hold it up and you are in business. Cut several 3' square sheets and after testing mark them up and keep them for future reference. I would advise you not to draw a 30" circle until after you have shot. Just centre the ring on the densest area of shot. It is not a rifle and you will never get the shot spot on to the circle at 30 or 40 yds. I alway pattern at 40 yds for wildfowling loads - 30 for game and pigeon. Start with cylinder choke and increase to limit of half choke for steel but make sure your gun/chokes are proofed for steel shot. Ah,gents, the issue is less one of making a pattern plate rather it's a case of I suspect the Boys in Blue may attend PDQ if I start trying to pattern shells in the middle of a housing estate! My current permissions are paddocks which I can't use the shottie in, or on the marshes which could prove tricky! I do have access to a field in due course but not for a couple of weeks, I was hoping to sort something ASAP as I'm starting out on my 'fowling career this evening. One session I can live with the doubts, many more and it's gonna niggle!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Ah,gents, the issue is less one of making a pattern plate rather it's a case of I suspect the Boys in Blue may attend PDQ if I start trying to pattern shells in the middle of a housing estate! My current permissions are paddocks which I can't use the shottie in, or on the marshes which could prove tricky! I do have access to a field in due course but not for a couple of weeks, I was hoping to sort something ASAP as I'm starting out on my 'fowling career this evening. One session I can live with the doubts, many more and it's gonna niggle!!! Well Mongrel - it is now 1950hrs and I have just read your reply to my suggestion about pattern testing. Did not realise the urgency of the situation. I hope you used cylinder or improved cylinder and had a most enjoyable evening and lost your wildfowling virginity as well. I can still remember my first 'fowling trip at Ongar Hill on the wash sea marshes and I was hooked for life. (And it was a very long time ago too). I hope it went well for you. Give us a report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Well Mongrel - it is now 1950hrs and I have just read your reply to my suggestion about pattern testing. Did not realise the urgency of the situation. I hope you used cylinder or improved cylinder and had a most enjoyable evening and lost your wildfowling virginity as well. I can still remember my first 'fowling trip at Ongar Hill on the wash sea marshes and I was hooked for life. (And it was a very long time ago too). I hope it went well for you. Give us a report. It's a fairly quick report if the truth be known. It's still blowing a hooley down here so we sheltered behind the sea wall as the sun set and a while after, my mentor then took us over the sea wall and onto the foreshore where we loaded up and settled to wait under a full and distractingly bright moon... ...about half an hour passed and then a couple of Mallard passed us wide, a minute or so after that one came between us, he was expecting me to take the shot...and I was expecting him to take it, net result was it was already past before I hastily loosed a barrel at it, and missed. Shooting parameters were established , after that we had half a dozen Teal absolutely rocket through on the wind, three shots were fired at them but they were moving so fast there was still no joy, and that was that for the evening. I enjoyed my self and it was an eye opener with regard to how fast those Teal can shift! But alas, my virginity is still intact! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I enjoyed my self and it was an eye opener with regard to how fast those Teal can shift! But alas, my virginity is still intact! Thanks for the report - Not easy with that wind. Keep at it - You'll loose it soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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