ANSWERS: 6
  • Chokes affect the shot pattern. Chokes are slight narrowing of the barrel as it approached the muzzle. The greater the choke, the more compressed the shot pellets will be as it leaves. The more compressed it is as it leaves, the greater the shot pellet density at a given range (more pellets in a smaller volume of space). Depending on what you're hunting, you may want a high shot density (small pattern to hit small ground game, some deer, or large birds) or a low density (wider pattern to hit small birds) Barrel length generally affects accuracy and muzzle velocity. Longer barrels are more accurate due to longer sight radius. Longer barrels also allow for a more complete burning of gunpower inside the barrel (if you see a muzzle flash when you shoot, that's burning powder that is NOT being used to push your round out). I prefer neither. I like pump actions. If I had to choose, I'd take O/U.
  • You can think of a choke as a hose nozzle. Turning the nozzle causes the spray of water to spread or concentrate. Chokes do the same thing with the spread of lead/steel pellets from a shotgun. Barrel length isn't really critical in a shotgun, it is more a matter of preference and the size of the shooter. As to style of gun, that seems to be a matter of available money and personal preferance. If you have plenty of money you will find the more expensive guns are usually the double barrel guns, either O/U or side-by-side. Some people will argue that the narrow sighting plane of a single barrel is less confusing than a double barrel. However, plenty of excellent shooters use side-by-side doubles. So count your dollars, go to a shooting range and try different styles nad buy what appeals to you. It's not the gun, it's the shooter that makes the difference. But personally, I like the O/U.
  • The "Choke" is the "Restrictive Contour" found at the end of a Shotguns Barrel on the inside. It is used to control the spread of the "Shot" determining the "Pattern" at a certain distance (usually 40 yards). Today there are Fixed, Variable & Inter Changeable types that can be "Screwed" in & out. With todays "Shells having a plastic "Wad, Shot Cup, Sabot", the "Amount of Choke" is actually increased about 1 step. Now. the length of the barrel will effect the Distance the "Shot, Projectile" will travel. For example the barrels U find on shotguns used for "Water Foul" will be the Longest as the game is so far away & the "Choke" will be Full or Extra Full to hold the Shot together longer. Choose the right "Tool" for the job is good advice. I don't hunt Water Foul but do hunt Quail, Rabbit, Squirrel, Turkey & Javelina. I do this using a Savage .22 Magnum over a 20 gauge. Since U never know what will pop up, this one gun gets it done. John
  • There are 3 basic types of chokes. Full, modified, and improved. Full choke is going to produce the tightest pattern possible by forcing the pellets to come spinning out of a slightly tighter muzzle. Imp. and Mod. loosen it up a little to give you more stopping power at closer ranges, while full will carry the shot's kinetic energy out a little further, say 75-100yds. I prefer over-unders for their elegance, but I own a side-by-side drilling with 2 16GA. barrels and a .30-30 in the middle that is an excellent all around hunting rifle, as you can take on fowl, varmints, and big game with it with reasonable surety of killing it.
  • Over/Under. All 4 answers pretty much sum it up.
  • a choke acts like lengthening the barrel..making for a tighter pattern. if you are at the state fair and they offer you a choked shotgun or unchoked. take the unchoked..gives you a bigger chance to hit the target. ive had both side by and over/under. like them both

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