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I picked up an SKB Ithaca Model 500 12ga. O/U in a trade about a year ago and love it. My only gripe is that information about the Shotgun is non-existent.

I have come to find out that the barrels are fix choked. Some are Full / Modified and some are Modified / Improved. Knowing which was which would help me out in determining where to set the selector switch for the times I am dove hunting.

Is there a way to determine which barrel is choked in what, outside of taking it to the range and counting pellets?

Look for star markings somewhere. One star = full choke, two = modified, three = cylinder. The intermediate sizes are sometimes symbolized by half a star or a different mark.

You can also borrow a micrometer or set of gauges and measure the bores, but the difference in diameter between full and cylinder is so small (0.035 inches) that you need a good instrument.

Maybe there is a standard for over-unders, but I don't know what it is. Something like skeet on top and improved below.

Good shooting.

- Jim

thanks so much Jim! I'll go take a peek now...

Nice item to have in your pocket if your shopping for a used gun. You can't always rely on markings. People often have chokes opened up. My full choke marked Auto 5 has a modified choke for example. Of course I am the only one that would know that because I was the one who took it to the gunsmith to have changed.

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most shotguns fall into one of five choke categories: 1 mark = full; 2 mark = improved modified; 3 mark = modified; 4 mark = improved cylinder; 5 mark = cylinder. Then there are other variations situated in between the standards such as "Skeet"".

The marks are normally found on the underside of the barrels behind the forearm on SxS guns, or in a less conspicuous location near the receiver on most o/u's.


edited to add, I think Jim is correct about the 1,2,3 markings as far as older Browning guns are concerned, but I think the 5 mark system has become the norm for most sg's

Yeah, there's no ironclad standard. You have to research the issue.

- Jim