doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1976 Browning BSS need help on choke decision

Well I got this gun on a trade for my compound bow that I was only asking $650 for. Couldnt trun down the offer. I'd say shes about 95%.

Anhyway , it's got 28" barrels, full/mod choked.

I pheasant hunt quite a few time a year and have been using my Browning Semi with IC choke.

Whats the consensus here think about having choke tubes installed. I checked with Briley, Way too much for me, over $400. Then I checked Carlsons, $190 both barrels with three chokes. I know some guys will say Briley, but financially just not in the position to do that.

I would do Light Mod fixed chokes , about .015. Will work for everything and not screw up the gun with Briley type chokes.

First off, welcome to the Forum! Lot's of great folks here and lot's of great knowledge and advise, hope you enjoy it here.

I guess what kind of pheasant hunting? Wild or pen raised? With or without dogs (pointer or flushers)? Chokes for pheasants can run the gambit depending on how you hunt and where. Perhaps if you can give some details, it would help. A general rule for most upland birds is IC/Mod (.010/.020), but that can vary, all depends.

As to tubing, heck it's your gun, do with her what you like. I think tubes can be a real bonus. A Browning BSS is not a vintage Brit gun, so if you want choke tubes, go for it.

You may want to check these folks out:

http://www.colonialarms.com/

Again, Welcome and Good Luck!

Greg

Before I determined that I had a problem, I would use the BSS first with the ammunition I use on pheasants. At the minimum pattern the gun.
Have you actually measured the constrictions with a professional bore gauge to determine actual choke? Not the brass things that you stick in the bore.
After I had done those things, I would make a decision.
And then If I determined that the chokes were too tight, I would not install tubes but only change to IC/Mod.-Dick

I would go with just opening the chokes if what you are used to is open choke. It should cost you no more than $50 per barrel to open those F/M chokes to IC and Mod...Geo

If you are on a tight budget and if the gun has the selective trigger, you might tube only the tighter barrel and just reverse the firing order to suit the conditions. A friend has a BSS 12 with Briley in one barrel and it works very well for him.

Sorry should have given more specifics.

I hunt penned birds. it also may vary if Im over a pointer or flusher. Depending on who I hunt with.

Unfortunately I do not have a selective trigger. Wheni was using my semi, I used an IC choke, and now that Im thinking about I never changed it, whether it was over a pointer or flusher.

Further to what Dick said, if you still find it patterns too tight, you can also consider spreader shells like Polywads or spreader inserts if you reload.

I have a gun marked IC/Mod but that shoots tighter. I reload using Polywad Spread-R discs.

Hi, in that case I'd just open the chokes to a tighter Skeet/light IC (.007) in the right bbl and Lt Mod (.015) in the left. For the kind of hunting your doing I'd forget the tubes.

Good Luck!

Greg

I suggest you pattern the gun using the brand of shells and shot size you plan to use at the distances you normally shoot each barrel. Based on this information adjust the chokes if necessary by having them opened. Save your pattern sheets to compare with the new results. You may need to go through the process more than once. I would be conservative in the amount opened since it is more difficult to add choking. I am fortunate to have a local gunsmith so that I can do a little at the time to achieve the desired results without over doing.

Good Luck,
Riprap