Of course it depends on the course but Id say Improved cylinder is a safe bet.

 

Yep, IC choke.

 

I had never owned a 20ga until 3 years ago. I bought LM and IM chokes. I haven't put IM in except to grease and check threads. The LM has done everything I could ask with 7/8 oz of 7.5 or 8 shot.

 

Im new this year to SC and most(75%-80%) of my shots are 30 or under.

If I was running a single barrel I would run LM

 

Don’t sell yourself short. I know a guy who started at 72 made Master class in short order then All American. Plus a super nice guy.

 

Typical shots I/C, a little longer LM.

 

If I had to pick one choke, it would be LM which is what I use 95% of the time in my semi-autos.

 

God's Constriction

 

I shot a O/U and use a IC and LM it's all the choke I need. If I had to only use one it would be a LM.

 

Mines a 28" Beretta Ultima.

I choose chokes depending on the course and target presentation. I use extended chokes, finger tight to facilitate any changes I might need to make.

I usually use a IC or LM in mine, at another course I use a IM.

 

Serious question, when you say LM aka Light Modified what is your pattern percentage in a 30" circle at 40 yards? I ask because I have a fixed choke Remington Sportsman Model 11 20 gauge and wondering how it would compare. Thanks.

 

I shoot a Beretta O/U in 20 gauge for a change of pace at sporting clays. I suggest that you use 7/8 ounce of #8 shot and select the same chokes you would use with a 12 gauge based on the target presentation and range.

 

SC's can vary drastically. so instead of putting the cart before the horse, the first thing I'd do is determine where you will be shooting. then determine what the average shot distance is at each specific club or range, only at that point can anyone make an educated recommendation. you may want to have two or three chokes and depending on which field you're shooting on will determine the choke you use. if need be a good range finder could come in handy.

 

Really depends on course your shooting. I Use to shoot a BPS 20 gauge pump for fun shooting sporting with nothing but a Briley Extended Skeet choke in . Doesn,t smoke every bird but clean breaks a lot further than you would think. Same with a skeet choked Rem 1100 28 gauge with 8,s. If your on em they,ll break.

 

If the gʻun came with factory chokes, Improved cylinder on close courses or targets and the Modified choke on longer ones. Don't over think chokes, just go shoot. I wouldn't buy any aftermarket chokes to go have fun.

 

Take an IC and a Mod. You’ll be ready.

 

It really depends on the gun and the course. Anything form Skeet to Modified choke will work.

 

For 20 ga, shoot the best choke for the target presentation. I know some guys run a little tighter for the 28 and 410.

 

if the swarm is on the target they will all work.

 

It is a bad plan to shoot 45 yard targets with an open choke

 

Here are a few pattern numbers of mine to give you an idea of how 20ga chokes and loads may perform.

Pattern results from a 20-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels using Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot inscribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 YARDS / CYL
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 301 (85%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 334 (81%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 306 (88%)

30 YARDS / CYL
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 182 (51%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 216 (53%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 179 (51%)

30 YARDS / SK
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 230 (65%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 237 (58%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 221 (63%)

30 YARDS / IC
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 257 (72%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 276 (67%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 249 (71%)

30 YARDS / M
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 318 (89%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 341 (83%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 298 (85%)

40 YARDS / IM
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 225 (63%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 270 (66%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 221 (63%)

40 YARDS / LF
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 246 (69%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 277 (68%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 231 (66%)

40 YARDS / F
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 240 (67%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 272 (66%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 243 (70%)

40 YARDS / XF
Win AA 2 3/4" 7/8 oz #8 lead (356 pellets) / pattern 259 (73%)
Win AA Hvy 2 3/4" 1 oz #8 lead (410 pellets) / pattern 291 (71%)
Rem Sureshot 2 3/4" 1 oz #7 ½ lead (349 pellets) / pattern 247 (71%)

 

Amazing how often Modified is a superior choke in your testing.

 

Just recently bought a 20ga Montifeltro Silver with 26" bbl and I am having pretty good luck with IC shooting 7/8oz of #8 shot. Gotten into a few stations that are are a little long for this but it still works if you are on the target.

 

My 20ga with 7/8oz, #8 does well with sporting clays on our course…<40 yards.

 

"but it still works if you are on the target."

so will a modified

 

Start with what you have - that gun should come with a Ciro IC, M, & F chokes. I'd start with the IC for probably 80% of targets, if you need a bit more authority in your breaks, go to M. Full can be used for trap at handicap distances or if you just prefer to break everything hard like Digweed. Great gun, enjoy it!

 

Thanks Guys. Alot of good advice. What I forgot to mention is I hadn't shot for about 7 or 8 years ago. I have shot twice now with this gun. First time was with the Modified choke and it wasn't too much of a disappointment . Just last night I shot again with the improved cylinder and I did shoot much better. Plan on getting to shoot a couple more times. Thanks again!