Pros and cons of choke tubes on a 12 gauge muzzleloader ?

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kelljp

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I have a TC New Englander 12 gauge muzzleloader with choke tubes and absolutely love it, but in a recent acquisition from and Estate I bought a second one. This is an earlier version with a longer barrel and a fixed choke (Cylinder bore ).
The more I use it the better I like it. Now I'm on the fence as to which one to keep.
What a good problem to have. Opinions welcomed, as I struggle deciding which to sell.
 
use 12 gauge wonder wads with the chokes. they fit through the choke then expand back to bore size. 1 or 2 over powder, 1 over shot. you can keep the choke tube barrel and get a cyl. bore tube for when you dont want any choke. best of both worlds. :thumb:
 
2 shots said:
use 12 gauge wonder wads with the chokes. they fit through the choke then expand back to bore size. 1 or 2 over powder, 1 over shot. you can keep the choke tube barrel and get a cyl. bore tube for when you dont want any choke. best of both worlds. :thumb:
Click to expand...
Are you using the wonder wads, with a full choke tube ?
 
Many years ago, someone gifted me a 12 gauge Pedersoli double with chrome bores and removable choke tubes. I'll be the first to admit that loading can be a pain. I usually have to remove the choke tubes to load if I'f using the full or X-full chokes. However, the pattern density more than makes up for the inconvenience. Besides, I hunt with a smokepole for the enjoyment of it, not necessarily to see how many animals I can harvest at one time.
 
I dont have any problems loading threw a choke. Turkey choke...

Jam it threw at an 45° angle. Then straight n it out.

Chokes work just like on modern.

Extended chokes. Remove by hand easy. Clean up easy. Change out easy.

I use choke tube lube and then I give it a good wet coat of coconut oil and and send it in.

I only use it for turkey. Good for turkey!
 
Last edited:
Before you part with any of them, try the Skychief load on the cylinder choked one. You will be surprised how you can adjust your pattern by proper loading it! I only used cardboard over the shot cards over the powder and shot for wide patterns and the Sky Chief load for modified to full patterns, it works wonders. This is also done on a NE in 12 ga cylinder bored!
 
I can give you my experience.

For trap shooting we have a CVA trapper and a New Englander 12 gauge. Both have changeable chokes and I do not find loading with the full choke in to be an issue. As mentioned already the wads can be angled or bent through the choke and straightened out in the barrel. Just jam the cushion wad though. Skeet gun is a navy arms side by side cylinder bore, it shoots a nice pattern at 25 yards. Conventional load, not skychief. I have not patterned beyond that because all the shots in skeet are closer than that.

I’d just pick the barrel I shot the best at the range I would typically expect to shoot.
Beyond 25 yards the changeable choke barrel has the advantage of not only being cylinder choked but any other constriction you want it to be. But, the longer barrel may provide better handling / balance and shoot better for you. You have a tough choice to make!
 

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