shotgun choke question

[Raptor77]

I don't know a lot about shotgun chokes. I inherited a 12 gauge Mossberg 500 pump action from my uncle. It came with four chokes and I measured the bore with calipers and they are also marked. They are; improved cylinder .721", modified .711", full .698" and extra full .685. I think I understand that the smaller the choke, the tighter the group/spread. My question is witch is the smallest that I can safely fire a slug through?

Thanks for your help

 

[RPN]

A slug will go through any choke - they are made that way as the ammo manufacturer doesn't know what is going to be on the gun.

 

[doubloon]

Mostly agree with @RPN because not every shotgun was made with a removable choke. Back when it was fairly common to buy a barrel with the choke you wanted.

I avoid running slugs through full chokes or tighter because the old guys before I was old said it might bulge the barrel ... probably only applies to really old guns anymore.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

For an occasional shot, I'd use an improved cylinder. For a designated slug gun I'd get a rifled barrel.

Slug Country Debates: Rifled Barrel Versus Smooth Bore - River Valley Arms & Ammo

They are questions that come up many times each year: Do I need a rifled barrel for my slug gun or can I just get away with using my smooth bore? Do I

rivervalleyarms.com

 

[DownhillFromHere]

My question is witch is the smallest that I can safely fire a slug through?

One or two slugs --> any choke. Steady diet of slugs, best to go with improved cylinder... or get a dedicated slug barrel.

The old traditional hollow-base slugs leave a lot of crud in the barrel. Make sure you remove the choke (whichever one you use) and clean threads lest the think become very difficult to remove. I learned this the hard way - with skeet loads in a dedicated skeet o/u shotgun with skeet chokes.

 

[Baron23]

For an occasional shot, I'd use an improved cylinder. For a designated slug gun I'd get a rifled barrel.

Slug Country Debates: Rifled Barrel Versus Smooth Bore - River Valley Arms & Ammo

They are questions that come up many times each year: Do I need a rifled barrel for my slug gun or can I just get away with using my smooth bore? Do I

rivervalleyarms.com

This ^^ or cylinder or skeet. And open choke. And slug barrel is a good suggestion.

 

[Budrichard]

Usually for Foster slugs, cyl or Improved Cyl choke is used.