screw-in chokes and roundball question

[chickenlittle]

I have a question about chokes and roundball. I know from looking at the old posts that chokes aren't a problem if the ball fits through it. Since my new gun has a screw-in choke, could I simply remove the choke for roundball? Or should I just not do this because I might damage the choke threads at some point?

The gun was used for turkey hunting and came with a tight choke. I've ordered a .724" choke but this choke model isn't available in cylinder bore (.729"). I figure the .724" should work for both squirrel and roundball.

This is my first smoothbore. It's a used, custom 12g. flintlock turkey killer. It is a manton style half-stock with a octogon to round Getz barrel and a black painted laminate stock. Feels good when I shoulder it but I can't play with it until my order of shotgunning supplies arrives.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I really don't have a definitive answer, but just on thinking about it I would say you should never shoot a screw-in choke tubed gun without a tube in place. That takes the already thinnest section of the barrel and reduces it by half.

If it were me, I'd use the 0.724" tube and a good patch of at least 0.015"

 

[Rebel]

If you can get an improved cylinder choke tube, that should work ok. I use a .690 rd ball in my double barrel .12 ga with cylinder bores and it is a bit loose, but shoots good groups. Do not shoot it with round ball or shot without the choke tube in place or you will ruin the threads for the tube. Another option would be to cut the barrel off just behind the choke and have a cylinder bored barrel. Then you would just have to have the front bead re-installed.

 

[gordy]

as the 0thers said,do not use the gun without a tube in place.If the I.D.is at least .720 it should be OK to shoot PRB. How accurate it might be is up for grabs,but thats the case with many guns. :imo: :thumbsup:

 

[chickenlittle]

I hadn't yet thought about the barrel being too thin without the choke. Won't consider that anymore.

Thanks, guys