Iggy Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Been shooting for 2 years now but only 'seriously' for the last 12 months. Im in C class and apart from the occasional off day (that we all have) I 'seem' to be getting into the upper 60's - lower/mid 70's fairly regularly. Since I started shooting I've stuck religiously to 1/4 and 1/2 throughout, apart from the occasional foray into skeet/cylinder on the really close stuff - driven and rabbits etc. Should I stick with this 'base' choke combination or is it time to go a bit tighter and if so what would you recommend? I should probably also add that I prefer lighter loads (21g or 24g) in my O/U although I'm fine with 28g in my auto. Thanks all, Iggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 What do you hope to gain by tightening up the chokes, you certainly won't break any more targets as a result..?? Stick with what you're using now, although I would recommend 28g generally for clays. Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 (edited) Nothing wrong with staying with the choke setup you have imho , your breaking them clays so why change Im the same as catamong i would rather use a 28g Edited April 13, 2012 by fruity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulos Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 What do you hope to gain by tightening up the chokes, you certainly won't break any more targets as a result..?? Stick with what you're using now, although I would recommend 28g generally for clays. Cat. Leave them be. It's pretty rare you'll need anything tighter than 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedwards1966 Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Unless you are shooting at very distant clays then 1/4 should be able to break them easily without them going all round the clay, so you're unlikely to gain anything by tightening them up. You could check how your gun is patterning, especially with the lighter loads, at the furthest distances you shoot at to make sure your shot couldn't miss an edge-on clay. You could try it and see how you get on - I personally like having tighter chokes, but I can't say that it is doing you any real favours. The main thing is pointing the gun in the right place, do that and whatever you are using it'll break the target - or so I'm told! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Thanks very much for the replies, looks like I should either stay put for a while or maybe try it out and see what happens. I only ask as the guys I regularly shoot with (all better shots than me) all shoot tighter chokes and I know some folks like this as it helps them read the targets/breaks better etc. Best not try to run when I've only just started walking...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Patterning your gun is a good idea also interesting but stick with the chokes you got IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Also note that many say lighter loads pattern tighter anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Why make it hard I have used 1/4 & 1/4 for sporting for many years with very good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky T Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 1/4 and 1/2 will do you fine for the vast majority of targets. As and when you feel confident you can always tighten up to two halves if you feel the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richg Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 Sadly we are not all George Digweed, but i am reminded of a saying that was attributed to him, TIGHT CHOKES, AND LEARN TO SHOOT. If you want to learn to shoot skeet well, put full choke in, it dont half make you concentrate hard on every target. when you have shot five 25 straights, drop back to 1/4 choke and it will seem like a walk in the park. Rich g Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin128 Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 (edited) Both imp cyl ie 1/4 for Treetops English Sporting and everything at SW2000. I have shot both ranges with full chokes with no inprovement in score. I do wonder about the last fast right to left crosser (going away) at Treetops...goes like the proverbial bat out of hell and do wonder about full choke on this one...but can't be asked to change. And for goodness sake don't change cartridges for faster...I swear by Eley Blues and I think they do 1090 fps. Edited April 14, 2012 by Robin128 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jega Posted April 14, 2012 Report Share Posted April 14, 2012 (edited) I reckon you'll find most people shooting sprorting use 1/4and1/2chokes with 28g -7 1/2shot.Seems to be the most popuar choice,and like everyone else says buddy, why change what works? Edited April 14, 2012 by Jega Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Stick with it for a while till your getting in the 80s then look at tightening up. It won't do you any good at the moment mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Cheers Ed, To be honest after reading the other replies as well I am planning on staying put for a while. Mind you, after the way I shot at Shuggy today I'm tempted to remove the chokes all together and sling them in the 'cut. Just when you start thinking you're getting the hang of this game it bites you on the *rse. Anyone got a train set they don't want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Cheers Ed, To be honest after reading the other replies as well I am planning on staying put for a while. Mind you, after the way I shot at Shuggy today I'm tempted to remove the chokes all together and sling them in the 'cut. Just when you start thinking you're getting the hang of this game it bites you on the *rse. Anyone got a train set they don't want? Sounds like you've had a day like i had last sunday, been shooting well all week then all went wrong on the sunday when it counted the most, clear it out your mind theres always next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Do what I do- sack it off for a few weeks if not going to plan! I didn't go up to the England selection today, rather do dome lessons! I'm off for a couple weeks or so now, will see how it goes when I'm back, maybe be a bit keener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Do what I do- sack it off for a few weeks if not going to plan! I didn't go up to the England selection today, rather do dome lessons! I'm off for a couple weeks or so now, will see how it goes when I'm back, maybe be a bit keener. Do you know I think that's probably the answer, I'm booked onto the Phil Coley/Carl Bloxham Masterclass jobby at MCSC at the end of April, so I may give it a miss next weekend so in fresh and a bit keener for that. I was looking forward to shooting today like I always do, but when I was actually there I couldn't focus at all almost like I'd forgotten how to concentrate...It didn't help by starting on a tricky stand and dropping all 8. I managed to 'move on' as best I could, but a start like that can really throw you (me) off. Mind you I have been fannying about with different chokes and shells this last week (not to mention a new recoil pad) so I guess it's no great suprise I shot like a big girl (nothing wrong with big girls, just in case) Hope the short break works for you Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 I think we had the chat about playing with kit didn't we mr....! Stop it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Yes we did......sorry....I will try harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salopian Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Iggy for F*%k sake. I sorted you out with a proper gun, Half & Half will do nearly everything. Stop analysing and shoot the bloody things. Have a small break if you think it will do you good, but most of all clear your mind and restart fresh. Never, never, never, ever shoot 0 ex 8. Do something different after every unsuccessful shot just to try and find the target. Even if it means on the last pair walking out to the line of flight, grabbing your gun by the barrels and using it as a bat. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruity Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Iggy for F*%k sake. I sorted you out with a proper gun, Half & Half will do nearly everything. Stop analysing and shoot the bloody things. Have a small break if you think it will do you good, but most of all clear your mind and restart fresh. Never, never, never, ever shoot 0 ex 8. Do something different after every unsuccessful shot just to try and find the target. Even if it means on the last pair walking out to the line of flight, grabbing your gun by the barrels and using it as a bat. :lol: Ha Ha made me laugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy Posted April 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 You're right, I do have a problem with changing something when its not working. It was 4 pairs of fast L-R and R-L crossers, and although I made small adjustments they were clearly not enough, so I definatley need to work on this aspect. I did go back after my card had gone in and it was quiet to have another few pairs and I did start to pick them up, too late then of course.... Also having spent the week faffing about with different chokes, shells and recoil pads, its true to say my heads full of counter productive cr*p which isnt helping much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdSolomons Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Next time your down my way I've got something to sort you out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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