School me on shotguns for hunting....

[wafisherman]

I bought a 20 guage ted williams \ sears pump shotgun a while back.  I don't know much about bird hunting and shotguns, but got this hoping to get into some grouse, quail, or even ducks or turkeys at some point.  Thought I may also use it with slugs for deer in certain areas?

I'm kinda stumped when it comes to understanding chokes and what ammo to use when.  Any help?  Links?  Books?

Thanks!

[jackson7]

chokes simply determine when all those BB's start to open up to optimal coverage.
tighter the choke the further out you will have the best coverage.
 no choke is open,[good for close shots] improved likes to open at 15-20 yards. modified approximately 30 yards and full for longer shots 45 yards.
as far as loads 2 components matter, how much powder and the size of the BB's.
smaller shot is generally used for quail IE;71/2. most will hunt pheasant w 5 or 6  shot.
ducks 2-4 shot.
take your gun out and shoot at a board at 15 yards, then 25,35,and 45 yards. you will see exactly how your gun patterns. my guess is your gun is modified choke which is a midrange choke IE 25-40 yds,
that's the short version. google shotgun chokes for a visual.

[wafisherman]

Thanks! 

So would I need to change anything about it (other than ammo) to hunt turkey or ducks or just learn more about my range and patterning limitations and work within those boundaries?  Is it even possible (reasonably) to make changes to the choke on this shotgun?

[wildweeds]

That shotgun is old enough it was not in the day of screw in chokes so you are stuck with what you have.You can take that barrell to a gunsmith and he can open the choke up to  wide open cylinder.For what your looking to do with it Modified is what you want IMO.It's right in the middle of the road and will give the best pattern for ducks with steel loads,Downside is the optimum choke for your turkey hunting is full.But the full choke is not that hot for steel shot.Re reading your original post I'm still convinced that for what your wanting to do Modified is the best option when considering grouse and quail into the equation.

Thanks! 

So would I need to change anything about it (other than ammo) to hunt turkey or ducks or just learn more about my range and patterning limitations and work within those boundaries?  Is it even possible (reasonably) to make changes to the choke on this shotgun?

[Bofire]

  Rem 870!
Cylinder choke is the same as the normal 12 bore, Modified is slightly tighter, full more so etc. Go to the Rem site and you can see pics.
Some chokes are good with certain shot, some not. You are trying to learn a lot!!!
Carl

 http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MediaPages/ArticleDetail.aspx?mediaid=20

look here

[hillbilli]

Fisherman on a shotgun that old if your gun does not have the big external "poly-choke" external adjustable choke, then it should have a fixed internal choke that was built into the barrel originally. look on your barrel for markings close to the reciever. It probably says "mod" or "full".. look and see what it says.. at least then we'll know what choke you are working with. 

[wafisherman]

Hmmmmm - so I have myself a FULL choke gun here.  So that isn't good for waterfowl?  Is that because the pattern is too tight?  And steel shot isn't good to use in it?

[curtdiesel]

Yes, too tight for steel.  Steel doesn't compress like lead does and could cause your barrel to bulge especially if you shot large and fast steel shot threw it.  The old guns were designed for lead shot with no intention of steel going threw them ever.  Then "they" realized it wasn't a good idea to be shooting lots of lead into the wetlands and the rules changed so now we cannot.

[wildweeds]

Take it to a gunsmith and have it opened up to modified.Will be the best of all worlds for you.Modified lead throws a full pattern in steel.I always used an Improved cyclinder in my 870 for ducks gunned over decoys.Mostly in part because on a pattern board modified was only like a 9 inch pattern at 30 yards. Steel shot through some old barrells isn't highly reccomended, I got a couple class action lawsuit checks for my older remington barrells years ago.

Hmmmmm - so I have myself a FULL choke gun here.  So that isn't good for waterfowl?  Is that because the pattern is too tight?  And steel shot isn't good to use in it?

[floatinghat]

You might be able to have the barrel threaded for screw in chokes.  That might let you use it for everything you would like including waterfowl with steel shot.

[bobcat]

You don't have to use steel shot in that shotgun for ducks. There are other alternatives that will be fine with that full choke. Being a 20 gauge, you'd be better off with something other than steel anyway.

[wildweeds]

would spend more money doing that than a brand new 870 express costs,allready screw in choke compatible

You might be able to have the barrel threaded for screw in chokes.  That might let you use it for everything you would like including waterfowl with steel shot.