All hunters sooner or later come across terms such as chock and pay. What is it, consider further. In a nutshell: these concepts relate to a muzzle narrowing, the size of which affects the shooting parameters. Next, we will also analyze the answers to the following questions:
- What charges is the chock suitable for?
- What varieties of this element are there?
- Is it possible to shoot calibrated ammunition from an inappropriate barrel muzzle?
History of occurrence
The inventor of the stem chock (pay) is considered a commercial American duck hunter F. Kimble (1870). Fred was not happy with the scree that came when firing a classic shotgun with a cylindrical drill. He decided to experiment with variations of the narrowing of the barrel to improve the combat characteristics of the gun.
First, Fred Kimble made the barrel of his 10-caliber rifle. After that, the result only worsened. The hunter immediately decided to correct the situation by returning the dimensions to the initial parameters. He did all this “by eye”, without using accurate measuring instruments. In fact, he did not bring the diameter completely to the initial indicator. When fired, the result pleased him pleasantly - the fraction fell accurately and in heaps.
This became possible due to the fact that there was some narrowing in the barrel, which affected the improvement in the quality of the shot. The American did not patent his technology. It is known that this was done in 1866 by a gunsmith from Britain - Marcus Pape. At the core of its technology was the conical narrowing of the trunk. For the difference between the inner and outer diameters, the designer took a conventional unit of caliber, while the distance from the narrow part to the barrel corresponded to 25 mm. Thus, the narrowing of the barrel in Europe is a conical method, and in the United States - American technology.
Chock and pay: what is it?
The nozzle in question is a muzzle narrowing, a kind of bell, which serves to change the accuracy of the shot with a shot charge. The classification of definitions is very arbitrary (chock, payroll, cylinder, medium, reinforced chock). Depending on the manufacturer, the narrowing rate can vary from 0.75 to 1 mm as standard. The accuracy parameter is fixed not only by the value of the muzzle narrowing, but also by the shape of the element. Below are the types and forms of the example of the 12th caliber. For analogues, indicators may differ, having the same name.
Basic configurations
What is a choke and pay on a hunting rifle, consider below:
- Very strong chock. It is mainly used on some types of sports shotguns; it has a narrowing parameter from 1.25 to 1.45 mm. These indicators provide a good firing range and excellent accuracy. In this case, the fraction used must not exceed the 8th number. The use of buckshot or round charge is not recommended, as it is dangerous and unpredictable.
- "Paradox" (rifled choke). An element designed for firing with special bullets oriented at a large beast. The salvo range is about 150 meters. Weapons with a variation of chock and payday of this type are at the level of the second parameter or below it.
- Socket drilling is a small expansion in the pre-muzzle zone, which has a further narrowing. The method is used in sports firing with small shots at small distances (10-20 meters). The advantages of this element are wide and even accuracy due to hitting the target after sending the exhaust gases to the shotgun ammunition.
What does chock (pay) in another performance mean?
Among the other configurations of the considered muzzle contractions, the following elements can be distinguished:
- Cylinder - narrowing the barrel to a minimum (not more than 0.21 mm). The design gives a hit rate of about 45 percent, providing a uniform and dense scree. This barrel is suitable for almost all types of charges for firing at close range.
- Weak pay. With this configuration, a muzzle narrowing of up to 0.25 mm is provided. The accuracy rate is about 45 percent. A smaller dispersion circle is observed than when shot from a cylindrical analogue. As charges can be used fraction, buckshot or bullets.
- Payday - narrowing the barrel to 0.5 mm, which allows you to increase accuracy up to 55 percent. Ideal for buckshot or fraction. When operating round ammunition, make sure that they pass through the narrowed element of the barrel without problems. This design is effective when shooting at a distance of up to 40 meters.
- Middle option (3/4). Chock and pay - what it is, discussed above. There is another configuration for three quarters, which is an analogue with a narrowing to 0.75 mm. This model is suitable for shooting at different distances with any shot charges and buckshot, as well as round bullets freely passing through the narrowed channel.
- The full chock is a modification of the gun with a reduction in the diameter of the stem to 1 mm. The accuracy of the hit varies depending on the size of the shot or buckshot. The average is 65 percent. The distance of a shot from such a modification is the maximum possible, however, round bullets should be avoided or used with great care.
- Strong option. It has a muzzle narrowing to 1.25 mm with a accuracy of up to 80 percent. For operation, a fraction no higher than 7th size is suitable, the model is used in bench and sports shooting. Larger charges are strictly prohibited.
Detachable nozzles
Considering the question of which barrel is the choke and which is the pay, it is necessary to note the removable muzzle limiters. Similar narrowing devices are used mainly by sports shooters and experienced hunters. When firing at short distances, mechanisms can significantly increase the accuracy of combat. Removable chokes, as well as their stationary variations, are used on domestic guns of the Saiga, Vepr and other types. Elements aggregate with a muzzle brake compensator, focused on reducing accuracy in the production of shots at medium and long distances.
The first models of chokes were performed exclusively fixed type, built into the muzzle of the weapon. Now removable analogues have become no less popular. This gives the hunter the opportunity to purchase nozzles for different calibers, allowing you to expand the scope and freedom of choice of game.
Reviews
Chock and pay - what is it? The main parameters are indicated above. Next, we consider the individual points that users most often note:
- Most of the specific information about the devices in question can be called very conditional. The accuracy of shooting also depends on the type of gun, the ammunition used, the length of the barrel and the type of nozzle. As a rule, the narrowing in fact is somewhat different from the specified characteristic in the technical passport, which often leads to a change in the parameters of the shot.
- As consumers note, it is necessary to carry out target shooting, as some devices have their own characteristics, including changing the transition angles between the edges and the effect on the dispersion of the shot.
- The owners note that for guns longer than 70 centimeters, the center of gravity changes significantly, during the shot its barrel tends to go down. Depending on the distance to the target, this indicator will increasingly affect the final result. For example, when hunting a duck, this parameter plays a very important role.
Features
It is worth noting that discrepancies between the axes of the barrel and the muzzle attachment when firing at a long distance significantly affect the quality of the salvo. If a fraction is used, this moment is not critical. But when fired by bullets, a decrease in accuracy of hits will necessarily occur. The only way to correctly assess the effectiveness of the muzzle attachment during firing is to shoot the weapon at fixed targets. Otherwise, no expert advice will give the desired effect.
Manufacturers
In the domestic market, chokes from the following manufacturers are most in demand:
- Comp-N-Choke (elements for sports and hunting guns in caliber up to 20 mm).
- Kick's - mainly produces modifications for hunting for game.
- Briley - the assortment of this company is impressive. Here, buyers will find all kinds of nozzle modifications for different calibers.
In conclusion
How to determine the choke (pay) - discussed above. These tips allow athletes and hunters to optimize firing, depending on range, type of target and type of charges. Modern arms manufacturers everywhere use their own lines and modifications of gun nozzles. Some craftsmen try to make a chock on their own, but this is a painstaking and very dangerous activity. In their reviews, weapon lovers note that it is better to spend a little money and purchase a model from a trusted manufacturer.