What choke for steel shot?

[bikemutt]

I'll be shooting steel shot with a modern Browning 20 gauge autoloader this weekend. I've always used a modified choke with lead shot, figured maybe I should open it up for steel.

Would improved cylinder be a good choice for #6 steel shot?

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[No_Regerts]

When using steel, I go up in shot size, and open up the choke. I wouldn't go any tighter than modified. But, since steel is less dense than lead, I use heavier shot.

 

[Stomper]

I run 3" Kent Fasteel loads with 1-1/4oz of #2 steel shot through my Weatherby SA-08 which has a 26" barrel and an IMC (Improved Modified Choke) installed.

It slays ducks over "big water" with ease.... the little bastiges!



But that's in 12ga.

 

[OldTengu]

I run 3" Kent Fasteel loads with 1-1/4oz of #2 steel shot through my Weatherby SA-08 which has a 26" barrel and an IMC (Improved Modified Choke) installed.

It slays ducks over "big water" with ease.... the little bastiges!



But that's in 12ga.

I use those as well, but in a Maverick 88. 24 inch barrel with IMC.

 

[bikemutt]

I'm planning to dispatch some born-to-die pheasants WA Fish and Wildlife plants, figuring 2-3/4", 3/4oz, #6 should do the job if I do my part. I've just never used steel before, don't have access to a patterning board, need to tap the NWFA knowledge base.

 

[Ura-Ki]

I use "Light Modified" with #2 Shot 3" Magnum Kent Steel 12 ga in ether the 870 or 1187.
Same choke for a 20 gau seems to work best!

 

[Ura-Ki]

I'm planning to dispatch some born-to-die pheasants WA Fish and Wildlife plants, figuring 2-3/4", 3/4oz, #6 should do the job if I do my part. I've just never used steel before, don't have access to a patterning board, need to tap the NWFA knowledge base.

If your using Steel shot, you want to go with a Water Fowl load and choke, usually #2 shot high speed steel!

 

[peekaboo111]

I use a full choke with #2's federal waterfowl. However, I pass shoot and don't use decoys. Not many wing shot fly aways happen anymore. Ymmv. I won't use Kent's anymore. Had a whole bunch go click instead of bang. They did send me new ones and told me there was water inside the old ones. Never had that happen with the federals, used in the same environment.

 

[Flatfish]

What is target?
How far do you expect shots to be?

I hunted ducks an entire season shooting a Skeet choke
Several more years of Improved

Club I'm in now is a 20-40 yard deal. Modified choke went in 4 years ago (Fluffed a few too many birds with my trusty Improved first season). Cripple rate dropped a lot.

If it's a one time thing, Modified or Improved. If season is long, get out and pattern with ammo you plan on using.

 

[bbbass]

I just use my Accuchoke Steel Shot Chokes...

 

[bikemutt]

Alrighty team, after merging intel from here and there, and talking with Browning, either Improved Cylinder or Modified should work. It was recommended to have both chokes available in the field just in case the birds start laughing at me, or they turn to a pile of feathers. With my shotgunning skill I'm pretty sure they'll be laughing at me either way, but we'll see