Mirokou mk70 game 30inch barrels ??

[greenshank1]

Hi guys

 

I am looking to buy a new general all round gun and upgrade from my old aya yeoman. Most of my shooting is rough and walked up but doing more and more on the shore and the occasional keepers day at the pheasants. It must have steel barrels as I want one gun for everything.

 

I am thinking of mirokou mk70 game 30 inch barrels does anyone have one and how would they rate them ??

[matone]

Have one and wouldn`t like to carry it far !

[fenboy]

Not sure about the newer ones but the older mk70s are not steel proof.

[GADWALL41]

Hi ,

I went from an AYA Yeoman to an OU many years ago . It improved my shooting greatly .

 

MK70 reviews here , though I haven't used one I currently have a browning 725, among others .

 

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/miroku_mk70/

 

http://www.gunmart.net/gun_review/miroku_mk70_sporter/

 

Not wishing to impose on your choice , but the following might help you choose . Gunmart reviews on these guns are onsite to .

 

A Beretta 686 or 687 Sporter , or a 725 sporter would be a very good all round gun . However for walked up game I use a 28 inch gun which I then swap out the chokes on

when it goes to the coast , using extended after market chokes in effect giving me 29 or 29.5 inches . So you have more versatility built into a Single Gun .

Using a 30in gun on a 20yd woodcock is hampering ones shooting ,

 

good luck with your new Gun when you choose ,

[greenshank1]

 

Cheers Gadwell 41

[anser2]

If wildfowling is going to become your main sport forget about barrel length as they will make little difference, whats important is the chamber length. For wildfowling a gun chambered and proofed for 3 inch steel will make a huge difference to your fowling. And do not forget no more than 1/2 choke for steel.

[Guest cookoff013]

If wildfowling is going to become your main sport forget about barrel length as they will make little difference, whats important is the chamber length. For wildfowling a gun chambered and proofed for 3 inch steel will make a huge difference to your fowling. And do not forget no more than 1/2 choke for steel.

 

that kind of sums it up. but 1/2 choke is max for HP criteria shells, while some bodies recomend maximum 1/4 max for steel.

i would certainly advise 3" chamber where steel shells are to be used. just because the density of the steel. it gives the option of 36g loads in 12gauge.

 

barrel length means nothing.

[GADWALL41]

Now , not wanting to start a Barney , But I feel I have to say the following .

 

The post was one for a general all round Gun , Rough and walked up shooting , with more and more Shore time .

 

Neither a 24" nor a 32" IMHO , could be considered a general all round Shotgun. So again imho , barrel length then falls to 28"-30" Range .

With the Current majority being walked up , 28" Ideal - and 30" was the requested Post rating on The MK70.

 

Given all the Warnings and advice on Steel shot , Chamber size (min standard 3" )and chokes etc as read and Given that a gun is a Gun of choice and the Fit is right etc .

Then the only Variable is Barrel Length, choke combination .

 

As most Modern Cartridges powders reach maximum efficiency by 16" or so down the barrel , why are we not all using 20 inch barrel guns ? Longer barrels are not just for balance , for larger guys or those who prefer a Heavy gun .

 

I am comfortable with my answer and with how I adjust my , barrel length , choking combos etc .

 

To achieve the most from a Single Shotgun in all the types of shooting mentioned , I would chose a 28" barrel length for walked up , rough shooting and shooting duck over decoys . For longer range shots on the Shore , passing shots etc , I use an extended Choke ( use comp n choke and mullers waterfowl and have a patternmaster in my A400).

That gives me a tighter pattern at a longer range, allowing me to take birds That I would otherwise not be able to Harvest .

 

If one wishes to consistently make a 50yd passing duck Kill , then the smallest variable matters . Who would try that shot with a 24 or 26 in barrel, Not I .

 

Under No circumstances could the same combination be considered for walked up Rough shooting . Try shooting a 20yd snipe with a Mullers waterfowl Passing choke (near 30" barrel and 3/4 to full choke ) and see how you get on ?. Or would you rather take the same shot in a 28" 1/4 choke gun ?. I have done both ! , I was lucky in the first case , the body of the snipe was untouched, the head was clean gone .

Now , no doubt some will say that was all about Choke and not barrel length , I disagree it was a combination of both .

 

"Barrel Length means nothing"

 

A. Carry a 32" inch gun around a walked up shoot for a day and it will !.

 

B. How many 24" - 26" inch Shotguns do you see being used for Duck shooting each season ? and why is that ?.

 

C. Pattern test a 28in and a 32in barrel gun , at the same distance using the same shot size choke combo . Id be delighted to hear the results .

 

Again , if it means nothing ?. If you see a guy using a 32in gun on the Skeet course , he is either an Olympic gold medal winner or a gluten for punishment , no disrespect to either Shooter type.

 

ps . I have some spare Hack saw blades here for anyone who isn't botherd by Length and wants to Lop off some steel , before Sept 1st ,

 

pps. I have the luxury of being able to still use lead shot by law , so can make those 50 + yd shots count , I wouldn't try it with steel .

The chokes mentioned in other posts using steel in effect tighten up by one or two sizes , so you are shooting a tighter pattern with a 28" barrel firing steel vis a vi lead .

 

E.

Edited June 14, 2014 by GADWALL41

[strangford wildfowler]

Good post gadwall

[anser2]

My three main guns have 27 inch barrels (used for game and pigeon and sometimes fligh pond -close duck shooting) a 30 inch ( used for duck flighting inland ) and a 32 " (used for coastal shooting and goose shooting). In terms of ballistic performance for a given load there is little or no difference when used in the field. I have seen game shooters using short barreled guns knock out very high pheasants time after time.

 

However of course the 32 " is heavy and a lump to lug around all day , but great for a steady high shot, in contrast the 27" is a joy to use on decoying pigeons that would make far more difficult shots with the 32".

 

But what makes a big difference between the three guns is the chamber length and the loads they will shoot. The 32" gun has a 3.5 inch chamber and fires 42 gr of HP steel which makes ideal for geese and high duck. The 27" gun only has a 2 3/4 inch chamber and while is fine with lead it will only shoot the standard steel 32gr loads which are not man enough for serious wildfowling. As I said before the barrel length makes little differenceto the guns balistic performance , but it can make a great difference to the shooters performance if he is of average body build and his ability to use loads suited to his form of the sport. .

Edited June 14, 2014 by anser2

[Guest cookoff013]

 

As most Modern Cartridges powders reach maximum efficiency by 16" or so down the barrel , why are we not all using 20 inch barrel guns ? Longer barrels are not just for balance , for larger guys or those who prefer a Heavy gun .

 

 

most modern cartridges burn all the powder in the first 1" of the chamber, thats where it is mesured from. after that its hot gasses pushing the shot. the highest variables of cartridges are the different powders / pressures/ loadings / specifications./ etc...

having a blanket statement of 16" for maximum efficiency is nonsense. i can pic 2 loads one at 10000psi and 1300fps or i can pick 5000psi and 1300fps, both the shells are identical where the shotspeed is concerned. fired in the same gun, you wont notice the difference.

 

the biggest factor that differentiates cartridges is powder amount / payload.. / recipe - within safe tollerences....

[GADWALL41]

Hello ,

so now I am talking non sense . Each entitled to their opinion .

 

But here we have the same problem again, with all things do with reading english .

 

I said , "by 16 inches or so " Not "of 16" for maximum efficiency" . Now , after 1inch maximum V . So do I take it you advocate , say a 10 inch barrel , giving you room for screw in choke threads.

You did not mention , your preferred Barrel length ?. but then , "That Means nothing ".

 

 

Yes I agree , ( again that's a given ) you vary the Shot size , load powders etc at the chamber End . Now if you take any given cartridge , load combination 3 in 3.5 chamber anything you like , pull the Trigger and BANG ! . In any fixed choke shotgun of a set barrel length, in theory , you will get more or less the same result at the smokey end .

 

Now , heres the Magic bit , after we choose cartridge, load etc , in our average 28" barrel gun , how do we change our range and spread , at 35, 40 or 50 yards even the smallest amount . Choke size and barrel length . Ballistic performance for a given barrel length is not the issue , more pellets in the Pattern is .To Achieve that , at range is

what I am striving for , thereby making a clean kill and not pricking any birds .

 

Hold on hold on , don't jump , please I will share a few secrets with you , or better still try it yourself and see.

 

So, your chamber in any 2 3/4 , 3 , 3.5 inch gun of any manufacturer is pretty much standard ( no I don't have my Micrometre out , of course barrel wall thickness varies with each company ) same results . How long is your Forcing Cone ?, how long is your tapered choke ? what size is your choke ?, is it actually throwing the correct choke for the markings engraved on its side ?.

 

Put a 28gr Clay shell in your bog standard 2 3/4 inch 28" barrel gun 1/4 choke , 35 yd clay bang break . swap out your choke , put a " comp n choke " 1/4 choke in . your barrel length is increased by nearly an inch and a half . Same shot same distance same presentation , you will see that clay smoked ! .

 

No B.S. , I have spent over a grand on chokes these past 2 years on various guns and tested them on pattern plates also , I have done it .

 

You Vary your shot spread , killing power pattern at the Smokey end , not in the chamber .

 

Example , Browning Maxus , over bored , very over bored , to the point where it wouldn't make the 50yd kill even with a 42 gr no 5 load .

Beretta , A400 , same shot , same cartridge , different boring , make the kill no problems at all .

 

If I can get an Extra 2 , 3 or 5 pellets into a bird at whatever range to ensure a clean kill , with an after market choke giving me a longer barrel, as necessary for the quarry I am after , even with a standard load , I will do it .

 

Remember ,

the Original post was for A single all round gun . I advocate my solution as a way , maybe not the only way , but as a way to allow a 15 yd Woodcock in cover to 50yd Screaming Teal kill , to be taken using one Shotgun .

 

So far I have not read an alternative solution put forward .

 

 

I am not on here to argue with anybody , I am happy to debate any issue arising from my post , but please no personal stuff and remember if you think it is non sense , you do not have to reply . I do not want to hijack another members post . We are all entitled to our opinions , mine are based on observed findings , not those found in quotes from a Birmingham Proof house or Berettas Test range .

 

E

Edited June 14, 2014 by GADWALL41

[motty]

Now , not wanting to start a Barney , But I feel I have to say the following .

 

The post was one for a general all round Gun , Rough and walked up shooting , with more and more Shore time .

 

Neither a 24" nor a 32" IMHO , could be considered a general all round Shotgun. So again imho , barrel length then falls to 28"-30" Range .

With the Current majority being walked up , 28" Ideal - and 30" was the requested Post rating on The MK70.

 

Given all the Warnings and advice on Steel shot , Chamber size (min standard 3" )and chokes etc as read and Given that a gun is a Gun of choice and the Fit is right etc .

Then the only Variable is Barrel Length, choke combination .

 

As most Modern Cartridges powders reach maximum efficiency by 16" or so down the barrel , why are we not all using 20 inch barrel guns ? Longer barrels are not just for balance , for larger guys or those who prefer a Heavy gun .

 

I am comfortable with my answer and with how I adjust my , barrel length , choking combos etc .

 

To achieve the most from a Single Shotgun in all the types of shooting mentioned , I would chose a 28" barrel length for walked up , rough shooting and shooting duck over decoys . For longer range shots on the Shore , passing shots etc , I use an extended Choke ( use comp n choke and mullers waterfowl and have a patternmaster in my A400).

That gives me a tighter pattern at a longer range, allowing me to take birds That I would otherwise not be able to Harvest .

 

If one wishes to consistently make a 50yd passing duck Kill , then the smallest variable matters . Who would try that shot with a 24 or 26 in barrel, Not I .

 

Under No circumstances could the same combination be considered for walked up Rough shooting . Try shooting a 20yd snipe with a Mullers waterfowl Passing choke (near 30" barrel and 3/4 to full choke ) and see how you get on ?. Or would you rather take the same shot in a 28" 1/4 choke gun ?. I have done both ! , I was lucky in the first case , the body of the snipe was untouched, the head was clean gone .

Now , no doubt some will say that was all about Choke and not barrel length , I disagree it was a combination of both .

 

"Barrel Length means nothing"

 

A. Carry a 32" inch gun around a walked up shoot for a day and it will !.

 

B. How many 24" - 26" inch Shotguns do you see being used for Duck shooting each season ? and why is that ?.

 

C. Pattern test a 28in and a 32in barrel gun , at the same distance using the same shot size choke combo . Id be delighted to hear the results .

 

Again , if it means nothing ?. If you see a guy using a 32in gun on the Skeet course , he is either an Olympic gold medal winner or a gluten for punishment , no disrespect to either Shooter type.

 

ps . I have some spare Hack saw blades here for anyone who isn't botherd by Length and wants to Lop off some steel , before Sept 1st ,

 

pps. I have the luxury of being able to still use lead shot by law , so can make those 50 + yd shots count , I wouldn't try it with steel .

The chokes mentioned in other posts using steel in effect tighten up by one or two sizes , so you are shooting a tighter pattern with a 28" barrel firing steel vis a vi lead .

 

E.

I don't believe there is a correlation between barrel length and pattern 'tightness'.

[GADWALL41]

A combination of , Choke , Barrel length . Barrel length mentioned , as a starting point in the post of 30 inches for an all round gun .

 

Extended choke adds length , hence length mentioned again .

 

I was in fact steering away from Longer barrel lengths , to allow for walked up shooting , adding an ext choke for better patters at Fowl .

 

Anybody reading this want to go woodcock shooting with 32 inch gun ?. yes its all about , swing and follow through , but at at 15yds in cover its a snap shot and no lazy swing .

 

 

Ext choke into barrel of a 28 inch gun, giving better patterns on the Foreshore , Hence no need for a 30 inch gun and a single all round gun is more versatile .

[Big Mat]

A combination of , Choke , Barrel length . Barrel length mentioned , as a starting point in the post of 30 inches for an all round gun .

 

Extended choke adds length , hence length mentioned again .

 

I was in fact steering away from Longer barrel lengths , to allow for walked up shooting , adding an ext choke for better patters at Fowl .

 

Anybody reading this want to go woodcock shooting with 32 inch gun ?. yes its all about , swing and follow through , but at at 15yds in cover its a snap shot and no lazy swing .

 

 

Ext choke into barrel of a 28 inch gun, giving better patterns on the Foreshore , Hence no need for a 30 inch gun and a single all round gun is more versatile .

 

Lots of people will choose 28" barrel semi autos for that kind of shooting, i'd take a guess that 28" is the average barrel length for autos. My 27" semi auto with flush chokes stands the same height as my 32" barrel 10 bore.

 

Honestly i dont think barrel length makes that much difference. I use 26" , 28" and 32" guns and shoot the same with all of them, rubbish!

[GADWALL41]

So Big Mat ,

please tell me the Types of Extended chokes you have Pattern Tested ?,

as apparently my by my written RUBBISH , I am obviously using the wrong ones .

[Big Mat]

So Big Mat ,

please tell me the Types of Extended chokes you have Pattern Tested ?,

as apparently my by my written RUBBISH , I am obviously using the wrong ones .

 

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick, the rubbish refers to my shooting!

 

I was mearly pointing out semi auto length.

[motty]

So clearly, anyone not using an extended choke is missing a trick - extended chokes = better patterns..........

[Big Mat]

So clearly, anyone not using an extended choke is missing a trick - extended chokes = better patterns..........

 

Thats where i have been going wrong then! Now where can i get a pattern master to fit my kestrel 10 bore...

[Guest cookoff013]

the Pk 1" or 25/30 is the 1 inch mesurement in the chamber its also written down as a 25-30mm.

 

my prefered barrel length is short, 26" but i prefer different guns at different lengths. my sxs is 28 " but i`d love to saw off most of my benelii barrel its too long.

 

chambers are restricted to the same sizes with minimal tollerences, that must be strict, thats why all chambers for given calibre / gauge must be made to set criteria.

 

the barrel length, the barrel diameter, the forcing cones, the choke are all open to manufacturers interpritation. thats the X factor.

 

even the chokes are open to "interpritation my manufacturers" my merkel, is way overchoked, by one size and the patters by far exceed what they are supposed to do. thats a common thing with some manufacturers.

 

as for your maxus that doesnt pattern well, find a load that does pattern.

 

what is probably clear is that the chokes are of as high quality and does pattern some. i shoot brileys and they pattern exellent.

 

one thing i will say, shotgun manufacturers have no clue whats going to be shot through them big / large small /light fast/slow other shells. or whatever. US shells are different as are european. shotguns are rarely designed with the use of fibre wads in mind, or any one singular shell in mind at X distance.

[ayano3]

I bet Greenshank wishes he had never asked on here now

Just have a look around in a few gun racks or search online or whatever for one you think looks nice and buy it.

[GADWALL41]

Hi ,

well apologies if I jumped to soon . The blood was up , 2 Bull Mastiffs , Off lead, bounced my Springer before I sat down in front of the pc last night .

Hes ok .

 

Apologies to Greenshank also , indeed Im sure he might be sorry .

 

Indeed Briley chokes perform well , though they are short .

 

That Maxus is Gone now . A400 Xtreme 12g 3.5 . a nice gun , use a B 725 12g and have a new un tried A400 20g , for the Finer things in life , Teal , snipe , woodcock etc .

 

I have Ext chokes here, from Beretta , Comp n Choke , Muller waterfowl , Patternmaster , Teague and Browning . Sure they all make big claims for there products. For my shooting I prefer the C n C and the Mullers now that's with lead and I have found , small shot size steel , 5 and 6 in the Master dosent work as well , perhaps larger shot size steel might as that is what it was designed to do .

 

As we know if your not On , then a choke will not kill anything , but For me , the above mentioned work and put those extra , crucial few pellets in the Kill zone .

My dog is much happier with them to , not much underwater diving required ,

 

Anyway , Greenshank if you are reading , good luck with whatever you buy and anyone else who might like a change , improvement call it what you will , you have time enough to put an Ext Choke on your Xmas Pressie list ,

 

Quack Quack ! ps other chokes on guns in the safe .

E

Edited June 15, 2014 by GADWALL41

[Guest cookoff013]

are those slits supposed to vent gas before the shot finally exits the muzzel?

[GADWALL41]

Hi ,

it vents some gas yes , link here and diagram att .

 

It does work , great patterns , Honest . so does the Mullers H2O choke , no vents work very well to .

 

 

 

http://www.comp-n-choke.com/product/WBenBerMobil12g.html

 

http://mullerchokes.com/pages/waterfowl-hunting-chokes

 

 

E

[wildfowler.250]

Folk worry far too much about barrel length for my liking. Find a gun that fits well and stick to that. I like to use 3 1/2" steel shells for the geese so I use that as a basis for narrowing gun options down.

 

Hate to think how many birds I've shot in the last few years with my over-bored maxus and that's a 26" barrel because I found that the best fit.

 

1) find gun that fits

2) chose appropriate cartridges

 

Sorted.