Ruger Red Label chokes

[qgorge]

I just picked up a really nice 28" Ruger Red Label O/U.

It came with some chokes, I believe SK (Skeet) and Modified.

Everyone is telling me I must have "Full" chokes for trap.

Is this the case and if so, what are advantages of buying the extended chokes over flush? Cool look? Work better? Brieley name cache?

So, newbie wants to shoot trap, what choke(s) on Ruger Red Label?


Thanks

[elkhunter11]

I rarely shoot trap, but I have shot a few clean rounds, and I was using a mod choke in every case. The only time that I ever used full, was shooting doubles. I purchase Briley extended chokes for every one of my shotguns, I like the fact that I can check to verify that they are tight, without having to use a wrench.

[Diamondhitch]

Unless you are shooting 60 yard targets, full is too much. using a more open choke and smaller shot will net more hits.

Extended chokes (good ones) have several advantages.
1) the additional length allows for a lower angle on the constriction which tightens groups.
2) the additional length allows a parallel section at the end which further tightens patterns as well.
Porting looks fancy but does nothing positive or negative.

Try a Trulock choke. They are some of the best out there and are quite reasonably priced.
http://www.trulockchokes.com
A good choke is well worth its price, pattern your current chokes first to see if you have any holes and see what the true performance of what you have is first, you may be surprised but will likely do better with a good aftermarket choke.

[bobinthesky]

Trap guns are traditionally full choked and most old trap shooters will insist that is the way to go however, clean scores can be had from the 16 yard line with improved cylinder and even skeet chokes if your quick. The reason the older gen shooters insist on full chokes is a hold over from when all guns had fixed chokes instead of interchangeable ones so they wanted full from the 27 yard line and used the same gun from the 16 yard line.
For several years now I've been using light mod in my bottom barrel for 16 yard and the first shot on doubles and have improved mod in my top barrel for long handicap and the second shot on doubles. I get good clean breaks with this setup and feel this is pretty close being the ideal chokes in my gun and for my rhythm shooting trap. If you have mod and full, that's what I would use until you learn more about the sport.
And as far as ammo goes, #9 shot will break targets if your quick and #8's will break targets under most conditions. I say most conditions because I watch slow shooters bounce #8 pellets off of the target dome all the time and not break the target. #7.5 shot loads are more reliable for handicap and the second shot on doubles. I like 2 3/4 dram 7.5's for 16 yard and the first shot on doubles and a 3 dram 7.5 load for handicap and the second shot on doubles.
As always, when in doubt go tighter with your chokes instead of more open.