Choke determination

Question
My dad gave me a 20 ga. Stevens double barrel that my mom gave him when I was 5. I just turned 50 so it really has alot of sentimental value to me. I would like to know how to find out what chokes are on this gun. It is solid as a rock and I want to start shooting clays with it.
Thanks for your help,
Tim Dobbs

Answer
Hi Tim,

While I can't speak to the specific model of gun that you have, most double barrel shotguns have fixed chokes.  One barrel is modified and one barrel is full.  The thought process is that the modified provides a tighter pattern at a closer distance while the full has a tighter pattern at a farther distance.  The idea is that the first shot is made with the modified choke.  The second (if you miss the first) is going to be made at a target slightly farther away.  Generally, the modified barrel is the one that fires first, assuming you have a single trigger.  If you have two triggers, you will most likely need to 'pattern' the barrels to be able to tell.  To pattern your shotgun, take it out to a range where you can set up large cardboard targets.  If you can put paper facing on them, even better. Use large shot, like .00 buckshot.  At approximately 15 yards, fire one barrel at the first target and the second barrel at a second target.  You should see a size difference in the two patterns at the same distance.  The smaller of the two will be the full choke.  If you don't see any difference at 15 yards, back it up to 20 and try again, but you should be able to easily see the difference at 15...

Good luck and enjoy your shotgun!

Doug