THE POPULARITY of shotguns equipped with screw in choke tubes has transformed the “scattergun” world. Shooters can easily change choke tubes to suit their needs depending on the varying presentations. The transformation is so complete, it can be hard to find a current production shotgun that doesn’t have screw-in chokes.
However, there is no free lunch. To accommodate the screw-in choke, the profile of the barrel has to be a bit wider. That means the barrel is generally heavier with ‘screw-in chokes’ vs a ‘fixed choke’. This is especially true with an O/U (or even Side x Sides). When you have twice the added weight, and this addition weight is out on the end of the barrels, it’s easy to end up with a nose heavy gun. Another issue is spending time assessing which choke to use when you walk up to a station. A shooter can become easily distracted on the course by constantly accessing, and potentially second guessing, choke selection. Many potential good rounds of clays have been ruined by spending too much time twiddling chokes and not enough time planning for the presentation. I think we may have all been guilty of this a time or two.
As a result, many shooters, generally experienced sporting competitors, have come full circle and are seeking out O/U’s with fixed chokes. This can give the shooter a nimble handling gun, and lets the user to pay more attention to their plan when they don’t have their nose in their choke tube box! Since you have to have enough choke for the long/edgy presentations, most folks that shoot fixed, generally have their chokes set around modified/improved modified or even full choke.
This is perfect for those 35-45 yard crossers, but admittedly, a bit much for 20 yard rabbits and short window birds. Since you can’t change your chokes in your new fixed choke gun, what can you do? Well the first answer is to just bear down and make smoke balls, and that is exactly what most folks do, most of the time. BUT, if you need a bit of help, you can also change shells. Since I started shooting my K80 Parcours, with fixed Improved Modified chokes in both barrels, I decided to do a bit of pattern testing, experimenting with different shells.
My standard shell is the FIOCCHI Nickel Plated Crusher, which is a one ounce of high quality nickel plated 7.5’s at 1300 fps. This load is a high performance long range target killer proven to perform well in my barrels. What I was looking for was a load that would help be with close and fast presentations. If its close and slow (meaning I have plenty of time), I have no problem using my regular shells and tight chokes...but if I have little time, and the target is close, it would be nice to have a big, evenly distributed pattern, like you normally get with a cylinder or skeet choke.
However, there is no free lunch. To accommodate the screw-in choke, the profile of the barrel has to be a bit wider. That means the barrel is generally heavier with ‘screw-in chokes’ vs a ‘fixed choke’. This is especially true with an O/U (or even Side x Sides). When you have twice the added weight, and this addition weight is out on the end of the barrels, it’s easy to end up with a nose heavy gun. Another issue is spending time assessing which choke to use when you walk up to a station. A shooter can become easily distracted on the course by constantly accessing, and potentially second guessing, choke selection. Many potential good rounds of clays have been ruined by spending too much time twiddling chokes and not enough time planning for the presentation. I think we may have all been guilty of this a time or two.
As a result, many shooters, generally experienced sporting competitors, have come full circle and are seeking out O/U’s with fixed chokes. This can give the shooter a nimble handling gun, and lets the user to pay more attention to their plan when they don’t have their nose in their choke tube box! Since you have to have enough choke for the long/edgy presentations, most folks that shoot fixed, generally have their chokes set around modified/improved modified or even full choke.
This is perfect for those 35-45 yard crossers, but admittedly, a bit much for 20 yard rabbits and short window birds. Since you can’t change your chokes in your new fixed choke gun, what can you do? Well the first answer is to just bear down and make smoke balls, and that is exactly what most folks do, most of the time. BUT, if you need a bit of help, you can also change shells. Since I started shooting my K80 Parcours, with fixed Improved Modified chokes in both barrels, I decided to do a bit of pattern testing, experimenting with different shells.
My standard shell is the FIOCCHI Nickel Plated Crusher, which is a one ounce of high quality nickel plated 7.5’s at 1300 fps. This load is a high performance long range target killer proven to perform well in my barrels. What I was looking for was a load that would help be with close and fast presentations. If its close and slow (meaning I have plenty of time), I have no problem using my regular shells and tight chokes...but if I have little time, and the target is close, it would be nice to have a big, evenly distributed pattern, like you normally get with a cylinder or skeet choke.
First, using my fixed improved modified choked barrels, I tested a typical “Skeet Load” of dead soft #9 shot. While there were certainly more flyers in the pattern, I did not see a noticeable, dependable enlargement in the pattern compared to my standard load. I’m sure the #9 loads would be an advantage for close targets when using a more open cylinder or skeet choke, as the increased number of pellets would help fill up the larger pattern, but thru my tight chokes, there was not a noticeable advantage. At 20 yards, my Nickel Crusher #7.5’s gave a consistent pattern of 15”, and the #9 shot gave a 17” pattern. A little bigger, but not dramatically bigger.
(NOTE: Testing was done at 20 yards on our white lithium grease covered steel pattern plate)
Next I tested the FIOCCHI Interceptor Spreader Load. This was a one ounce load of #8’s, also at 1300 fps, but loaded with a special wad to open the pattern much faster. It is designed to provide a large, evenly distributed pattern. At 20 yards, this shell, thru my same improved modified fixed choke, gave a 30”(!) pattern. Basically double the size of my standard load thru the same barrel/choke. I pattern tested this shell for 10 shots, and confirmed that it is a reliable performer. Large, even patterns, time and time again. I also shot a normal shell, my regular Crusher, thru a cylinder choked gun, and it gave a approximate 30” pattern.
(NOTE: Testing was done at 20 yards on our white lithium grease covered steel pattern plate)
So by keeping some FIOCCHI Interceptors in my range bag, I can get cylinder choke performance out of my improved modified choked gun, by simply changing shells. I get the tight
patterning, dynamic handling shotgun I want, but can easily employ a wide pattern for
close-fast-short window birds by changing shells.
That folks is why we suggest if you have a fixed choke gun, go out and test some FIOCCHI Spreaders for yourself and you might just like what you see, garnish some confidence in the performance of these spreader loads on your next outing or competition and really smoke some close clays!
Good luck and great shooting to you!
Will Fennell
**NOTE: Testing was done at 20 yards on our white lithium grease covered steel pattern plate
SPONSORS: FIOCCHI Ammunition
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line
Krieghoff International
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