Shooting Sports

Question
Mr. Zukowski,

I am very active in shooting sports across the board and am very good in trap.  I recently purchased the Winchester Select Energy Sporting w/ an adjustable comb, and I am planning on getting more involved in the skeet, 5-stand, and sporting clays disiplines however I was wanted to know your opinion on the chokes tubes that are best needed for these areas of shooting, and I was also wanting a recommendation on what kind of shell to use, as in shot size, amount of shot, dram...  Thank you very much for any information you can give me.

Chad

Answer
oops I almost forgot
use magnuim shot for clays.



Hi!
Step 1 is pattern the gun with the chokes that came with the gun.  Do it at 20 30 40 50 and sixty yards.
Use #7.5 , #8 and #9
One you have done that determine which chokes
you will need to add.

For skeet you may use skeet 2, IC, skeet 1 defusion or cylinder.
I would start with Skeet 1 and IC.
Then if needed move up or down in size as needed.
I would use #8 or #9 skeet loads.
It should be 1200 fps or less.
Pattern the gun and see how it shoots.
Use chilled lead shot if you handload.
Softer shot will help with an quick open pattern
Use 1 1/8 oz loads. #9 IS PERFERED. Some people use #8 for trap and skeet to simplify things.
Inexpendsive loads like Federal Top Gun or Remington Game loads can fill the needs if you do not reload.
If you reload buy Federal Gold Metal,  Remington Premier STS, or Winchester AA.


With 5 stand or sporting clays the actual course will effect determine which chokes and shot size that are needed.
Have IC Skeet 1 Skeet 2 , Modified, Improved Modified, Full and Extra Full Choke Tubes with you. You should have a quick change wrench as well.

I would also carry shells that are #7.5 , #8 and #9.
If you hand loads use 3 different hull to color code them.
Once fired hulls are available from Precision Reloading
http://www.precisionreloading.com
If you use the same hulls you can get hull marking tools from ballistic products
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/
I would use shells in 1250 fps to 1295 range
Use 1 1/8 oz loads

In terms of after market chokes Briley & Hastings are very good. Briley color coding is very handy.

http://www.briley.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=156
http://www.briley.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=547
http://www.hastingsbarrels.com/replacechoke.html

This link may be helpfull.
http://www.shotgunsports.com

Feel free to ask followups.