A lot of people are asking how tight should a choke tube be? If you need guidance on how you should tighten at choke tube, this article is definitely for you.
A choke tube should be hand tight with enough force applied to keep the threads from backing out of the shotgun barrel. Tightening it until resistance and then applying a 1/8 inch more turn is usually enough. The choke tube doesn’t need to be too tight though as you will want to be able to safely unscrew the choke using your hand.
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How Tight Should Choke Tubes Be?
Choke tubes should be screwed on so that the threads are completely mated and there is no gap between the choke tube and the end of the shotgun barrel. The force applied to tighten a choke tube should be moderate by hand, but not so much that it causes the threads to strip.
Every part of every shotgun should be tightened sufficiently. Take note that it does not need to be tightened too much. You can just tighten them enough that they will not fall off and won’t back out. In this article, we are going to talk about how tight your choke tube should be. Let’s get started!
How To Tell Your Choke Tube Is Tight Enough?
A good rule of thumb for gauging the tightness is to turn the choke clockwise until you feel resistance and then turn it 1/8 inch more. Tightening it by hand allows the choke to be secure while making it easy to remove later if you need to.
Choke wrenches make tightening choke tubes easier since they grip the choke and apply torque for extra tightness. They also can help grip stuck choke tubes to break them free.
Can Over-Tightening Choke Tubes Cause Problems?
Over-tightening a choke tube can cause a host of problems so it’s important you get it right. Below are the top 3 issues that can arise from over-tightening a choke.
1. You Can Strip The Threads
Tightening a choke too much can cause the threads to be stripped. This won’t allow the choke to tighten properly and it will either need to be rethreaded or scrapped.
2. The Choke Tube Can Be Damaged
Similar to stripping the threads, over-tightening can damage the outer walls of the choke if too much torque is applied. This can cause the walls of the choke to collapse and become unusable.
3. It Can Be Difficult To Remove
If too much torque is applied, the choke tube can become fused with the barrel threads. This will make it impossible to backout or require a choke wrench to break it free. Hand tightening is always the best way to avoid these conditions.
Can Under-Tightening Choke Tubes Cause Problems?
Under-tightening a choke tube is also a problem, and it can lead to sub-optimal conditions that can affect performance in the field. Patterning and pellet distribution can suffer from an under-tightened choke tube.
1. It May Fall Off The Gun
A loose choke tube that is not sufficiently tightened can fall out of the barrel. Chokes tubes can back out or unscrew just by the force from the shot, so not tightening it enough can exacerbate this situation.
2. Performance Issues
A choke tube that isn’t tight means that threads inside the barrel could be exposed. A gap inside the barrel can cause performance issues with the shot column as it passes by the gap. Shotgun patterns could suffer because of it.
3. Frequent Re-Tightening
If the proper torque isn’t applied to seat the choke tube, it could require frequent re-tightening. This could be as often as after every shot or every 10 shots. Regardless, you’ll be constantly re-tightening if it’s not seated properly.
4. You Can Damage the Threads
Exposed threads from a choke backing out of the shotgun can lead to thread damage (which can be permanent). This constant shifting due to looseness can lead to thread degradation of time.
Summary
In this guide, we’ve discussed how tight should a choke tube be and why it’s important that a choke is mated properly with the shotgun barrel. Following these tips will keep your choke working properly while avoiding damaging it at the same time.
A choke should be hand tight and once resistance is met, a 1/8 inch turn should seal it in place. A handy choke wrench is the best tool for tightening choke tubes. Don’t over-tighten or under-tighten a choke because it can lead to performance issues.
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