chokes for upland birds, mainly pheasants

[deerkiller]

I don't get to do a lot of it but Pheasant hunting is a favorite trip for me, not lucky enough to have my own dog but nearly always hunt with a guide who has 1 or 2 - QUESTION: I have an M2 with a 28" barrel, would I be totally stupid to lop the barrel to 25" or 26" and shoot cylinder bore ? (I'm poised for the beating I'm about to take)

 

[Rob5589]

Why? I would buy a shorter barrel, if that is your reason.

 

[deerkiller]

Why? I would buy a shorter barrel, if that is your reason.

it is … haven't been able to find a 26" on gunbroker, is there another or better source ?

 

[TheGreek]

IC or mod with fiocchi golden pheasant #5s. And don’t lop off the barrel. If a 28 in barrel is too long for you, buy a shorter barrel if you can find one, and if not, buy a gun with shorter barrels.

 

[manitou1]

Our group always preferred midified or improved modified... and cumulatively, we have about 100 yrs of upland experience between the three of us. Prairie Storm #5s. You can thank me later.
Cylinder bore would be worthless for pheasant IMO.

 

[huntineveryday]

I run improved cylinder with fiocchi golden pheasant #5's or Kent fast steel #3's the first month or so of season, depending on where I'm hunting. I switch to modified with the same loads after that. The golden pheasant hits hard enough a tighter choke usually isn't necessary. I usually switch to steel #2's through a modified choke for public land late season birds.

My gun is an 870 with a 28 inch barrel.

 

[jmez]

Improved cylinder is what I use. I have no issue killing them.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[Norm555]

I’ve only shot a modified choke out of my SBE2 and had good luck on pheasants and ducks over the past 12 years with it. Never felt the need to try something different

 

[manitou1]

Improved cylinder and cylinder bore are two different animals.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Mmmm...I have hunted pheasant once year for about 12 years and with an m2 for about 10 years. Western Kansas. Big groups from 10-25 shooters. Always limit out with 100-200 birds per trip. Lots of lead in the air. Seen lots of gun/ammo/choke combos in action over those years. Shots are 5-30 yards. They soemtimes get to flying away. Not an expert but I agree IC or maybe modified is the way to go. My friends that shoot double barrels use IC in the first barrel and Full in barrel number 2 thinking a follow up shot will be further out. For our hunts, cyclinder bore is probably a bad call. Iffy to bring them down once they get going beyond 15-20 yards.

I wouldn’t chop that barrel. Those cryo barrels are stupid expensive. $400-600 list. If you chop it you lose the threaded portion plus you would have to remount the front sight some way. Depending on how much your smith charges, I bet you come out better to sell your barrel used and buy a new one.

Having said that, depending on where you pheasant hunt, a 28 inch pipe isn’t really a problem in an open field. I would just shoot it as is.

 

[NDGuy]

I usually just shoot a full choke for everything but I would use modified or improved modified it's a good all around choice.

 

[deerkiller]

OK guys, you talked me into it - I just use the 28" until I can find a replacement (or maybe just stay with the 28") Thank you for all the good input !

 

[Salmonchaser]

Copper plated fives, modified choke, 28” tube you should be good. Hunting over pointers I/C works well. Generally preferred Fiocci, not a great fan of Prairie Storm. I have a group I guide 6 days every year. They all shoot Prairie Storm. That stuff is hard on birds.

 

[Ngschmeichel]

Whatever you do don't chop your barrel for pheasants, unless you have another reason. I shoot an over under and have modified chokes on both barrels. Have never had a problem and I have a 28" barrel on mine as well.

 

[deerkiller]

Whatever you do don't chop your barrel for pheasants, unless you have another reason. I shoot an over under and have modified chokes on both barrels. Have never had a problem and I have a 28" barrel on mine as well.

28" on an O/U equates to about 25" on my M2

 

[Cornhusker]

I do a lot of upland hunting sharpies, P. chickens and pheasants always thought I wanted a 26" barrel I shoot a Orion with a 28 barrel, I shoot it much better than a 26" barrel on my SKB. Longer barrels swing better in open spaces. I wouldn't cut a barrel off of any shotgun and shoot open cylinder.

 

[JWP58]

Hunting behind pointing dogs (britts) my first barrel is usually alway either cyl or ic. Personally I wouldn't cut down your barrel. Just trade for a shorter so you still have screw in chokes.

 

[deerkiller]

Hunting behind pointing dogs (britts) my first barrel is usually alway either cyl or ic. Personally I wouldn't cut down your barrel. Just trade for a shorter so you still have screw in chokes.

not going to now ….

 

[mcseal2]

I use a 24" Browning Citori Upland 12 gauge, usually with a light modified in the top barrel, modified or improved modified in the bottom one. I use the same Briley tubes I use shooting trap. I get some looks with that little gun at the trap park, but I don't' get to serious about trap. I shoot on a friend's industrial league team and figure I just as well use the gun I use hunting.

 

[deerkiller]

I use a 24" Browning Citori Upland 12 gauge, usually with a light modified in the top barrel, modified or improved modified in the bottom one. I use the same Briley tubes I use shooting trap. I get some looks with that little gun at the trap park, but I don't' get to serious about trap. I shoot on a friend's industrial league team and figure I just as well use the gun I use hunting.

I LIKE that logic as well