LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

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Maggiemollie
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LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

Post by Maggiemollie »

Several weeks ago I picked up a really nice LC Field Grade represented as IC/M. It's been tough shooting on the skeet range but when I hit them it totally destroys them. I was at one time a really good skeet shooter and couldn't believe I was this bad. Took out the micrometers and the end of barrels measure 0.590 and 0.575. I had 2 others mic them and got the same results. Looking at choke contrictions charts for a 20g, this seems excessively tight. Am I missing something? Or could this actually have been choked that tight?
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Researcher
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Re: LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

Post by Researcher »

Assuming a nominal 20-gauge bore of .615" that would be .025" and .040" full and extra full. According to my Ithaca barrel, bore & choke chart, .026" would be a full choke in a 20-gauge. That said, I have a fully optioned Ithaca No. 4E NID 20-gauge with .038" and .042" chokes, definitely not a skeet gun!!
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Maggiemollie
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Re: LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

Post by Maggiemollie »

Researcher wrote:Assuming a nominal 20-gauge bore of .615" that would be .025" and .040" full and extra full. According to my Ithaca barrel, bore & choke chart, .026" would be a full choke in a 20-gauge. That said, I have a fully optioned Ithaca No. 4E NID 20-gauge with .038" and .042" chokes, definitely not a skeet gun!!
Thank you. Definitely not as represented by seller. Still a nice gun. Will use on 5 stand.
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Stan Hillis
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Re: LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

Post by Stan Hillis »

Try some spreaders in it. They will usually open the pattern one to two "constrictions", meaning that a F choke will often pattern like a IM to M, and a M will often open to a LM or even IC. I have had great success with spreaders in some of my very tightly choked vintage guns. But, I always pattern them carefully to be certain of the pattern integrity.
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Maggiemollie
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Re: LC Smith 20g Field Grade Chokes

Post by Maggiemollie »

Stan Hillis wrote:Try some spreaders in it. They will usually open the pattern one to two "constrictions", meaning that a F choke will often pattern like a IM to M, and a M will often open to a LM or even IC. I have had great success with spreaders in some of my very tightly choked vintage guns. But, I always pattern them carefully to be certain of the pattern integrity.
That's a great suggestion. Thank you.
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