So a salesman at Gander told me that you do NOT need fancy chokes to shoot steel #3 shot. I have a Benelli supernova and I plan on going duck hunting this weekend using a modified choke.

My recollection was that you needed to get a special choke anytime you wanted to shoot steel. Apparently not?

Any input?

You NEED chokes approved to shoot STEEL shot !

Anyone know offhand if the OEM choke set on a Benelli supernova fits the bill? I'll try to find the paperwork when I get home... but the gun is 4+ years old, not sure I have the manual.

By "fancy" I'm guessing that he meant expensive, aftermarket. There are some choke tubes that can cost upwards of $70, that perform no better than some factory chokes. The opposite is also true.

Phil Bourjaily touched on the topic of choke tubes not too long ago on the show Gun Nuts. His main point was that modern production choke tubes perform much better than those from years ago, making after market tubes unecessary. I have to disagree, but only becasue I've invested more than a few $$ on expensive turkey chokes (so there!)

My advice is to check the pattern of your gun with the loads you intend to shoot before investing in an aftermarket tube.

But...do check if choke tubes you have are rated for steel shot. I recently purchased a Benelli SBE II. The choke tubes suitable for steel shot are clearly marked as such.

You might not need a FANCY choke tube

But you had better get off your butt and pattern you gun with your loads
As some guns & chokes & loads just plain don't pattern worth a darn togeather

As my SX3 will not pattern worth a darn any of the brands of #2 stell I have tryed , with any of the factory tubes
And all but 1 of the aftermarket tubes

But in another gun , these same loads pattern great




Second thing , also pattern your factory IC tube
As if you are getting birds to decoy
Many times the factory Mod tubes produce to tight of a pattern
Some Fringed or pre chewed birds , with to many clean misses

I will be shooting a IC tube unless we have to start pass shooting

John

Ask George for his recommemdation;

http://www.trulockchokes.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi

I got a benelli m2 and none of the factory chokes that came with it are not able to have steel shot through them so yours may be the same way. but ive always used patternmaster chokes and they work very good for me.

You guys buying expensive shotguns and are they giving you cheap steel choke tubes? if your tube is stainess steel it is fine. I upgrade all mine to Carlsons choke tube. just their standard tube, nothing fancy.

I have never seen a factory choke tube that was for lead only.

Most factory full chokes; say on them NOT for steet shot !

..............but, by all means; be my guest !