View Full Version : Langdon Tactical 1301 choke question
Recently ordered and received a LTT 1301 with all the good stuff. Tried it out the other day with a box of birdshot to check cycling, then some 00 buck loads.
Not entirely thrilled with the 00 buck spread past 10 yards. Wondering if a little choke would help.
For comparison my Vang Comp'd 590A1 will hold 7 of 9 pellets on a pie plate at 25 yds. This 1301 is to pie plate or a bit larger by 10-12 yards. At 25 it has completely blown out.
Any experience/experimentation with chokes? Sent LTT an inquiry and all they've said so far is yes chokes will have an effect. I was hoping they had done some testing or would have some recommendations, but I've gotten nothing really useful from them so far.
Yes I know about the Federal Flite Control wads. That's plan B. Finding those loads nowadays is a problem.
So before I waste money and time and ammo running tests I was hoping one of you had done the work and could tell me the answer.
As a side note I am thrilled with the gun otherwise. Just need to figure this part out.
What choke did you have in it when you were shooting it?
Experienced same with my 1301. What ammo are you experiencing this with?
Initially I was using some cheapo RIO 00Buck- that was 75% of the problem.
Installed an extended IC and switched ammo- it's money now; 15 yds=4"-6" spread with Federal "Flight Control" 00Buck.
Just for grins shoot it without the choke screwed in or with a cylinder choke if you have one. Putting cheap OO through more choke usually opens up the pattern. The soft shot is deformed by the choke.
I have the same shotgun from LT, great shotgun, ran over 100 rounds in one setting.
The key for me was not the shotgun but the round. I had some cheap buckshot I used, functioned well, grouping was ok, left the choke in the came with it.
So I loaded up some flight control federal buckshot, 25 yds about 3", I will take that.
I have the same shotgun from LT, great shotgun, ran over 100 rounds in one setting.
The key for me was not the shotgun but the round. I had some cheap buckshot I used, functioned well, grouping was ok, left the choke in the came with it.
So I loaded up some flight control federal buckshot, 25 yds about 3", I will take that.
If people want tight groups why don't they just shoot slugs?
BigTex2000
02-04-21, 08:02
I would imagine that with flight control you would want to use cylinder or improved cylinder. It shoots very well out of my 870P, which I believe has an improved cylinder barrel but no removable choke.
Flight control buckshot is amazing. If you don't agree yet, go pattern some and report back. Not a shot at the OP, just a statement for anyone that is not familiar with flight control buckshot.
If people want tight groups why don't they just shoot slugs?
Slugs make 1 hole, buckshot 8 or 9. Tighter patterns means a longer effective range.
Andy
BigTex2000
02-04-21, 14:26
That and there is a difference between shooting 10 slugs and 10 rounds of buckshot. The recoil of the buckshot is much more pleasant than that of the slugs.
Sorry to take so long to get back. It came with a cylinder choke which is what I was using. I was firing two loads - Winchester Ranger RA12005 and Remington SP12. Both are 9 pellet loads and while the Remington was inexpensive I'd say neither is a "cheap" load. No discernible difference in performance between the two.
I sent an email to LTT, got a somewhat disappointing email back that said choke will affect pattern. Well duh no foolin'. I think it Ernest had answered I'd have my answer.
Think I'll pony up for an IC choke and see how it does. Fed Flite Control rounds are unobtainable presently.
davidjinks
02-05-21, 15:25
Go to -
https://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-choke-tube-optimachoke-hp-black-edition-20mm-extended-12-ga/
Order yourself the M, LM, IM, IC. Try them all out for yourself and your load of choice. For me and my 1301 using standard Remington 00 buck (green hull) and Range low recoil the IM made a huge difference in pattern.
Sorry to take so long to get back. It came with a cylinder choke which is what I was using. I was firing two loads - Winchester Ranger RA12005 and Remington SP12. Both are 9 pellet loads and while the Remington was inexpensive I'd say neither is a "cheap" load. No discernible difference in performance between the two.
I sent an email to LTT, got a somewhat disappointing email back that said choke will affect pattern. Well duh no foolin'. I think it Ernest had answered I'd have my answer.
Think I'll pony up for an IC choke and see how it does. Fed Flite Control rounds are unobtainable presently.
Go to -
https://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-choke-tube-optimachoke-hp-black-edition-20mm-extended-12-ga/
Order yourself the M, LM, IM, IC. Try them all out for yourself and your load of choice. For me and my 1301 using standard Remington 00 buck (green hull) and Range low recoil the IM made a huge difference in pattern.
Thanks for sharing your experience - just the sort of info I was looking for.
I am a little surprised you had to go all the way to IM to optimize your results.
As you progressed through tighter chokes was it a steady improvement with each choke, or was there a place where you got a quantum leap improvement?
Thought I'd get back with my results. As davidjinks recommended, IM did the trick. The gun now patterns just the way I need it to. Thanks for all the input.
IC ok for Slugs?
My LTT comes in on Thursday.
It’s hard to beat the federal flitecontrol wad but those shells are hard to find. I’m going to experiment with different chokes to see if I can get better groupings.
I purchased a Carlson’s extended, non ported, extra full choke (.693) for my 1301 to use on predators at 50-70 yards with smaller buckshot. Mainly #4 and sometimes 0BK. I will not be able to use that choke with slugs but I’ll let you know how it patterns when I shoot it.
I don't love Botach, but i believe they have the Fed Premium 2 3/4" flite control 00 Buck in stock for $10/box. Not a good deal, as these used to be half that price, but looks to be available.
Choke tube update.
I purchased a few more choke tubes; C, IC, IM, EF
I patterned several loads with all the different choke tubes and here is what I came up with. Your results will more than likely vary from mine.
EF good for #4 Buck or smaller. Tight patterns at 20 yards with cheap PCM and Rio #4 Anything bigger than #4 opens up quickly and has the donut effect.
IM good with 00 Buck and #1. 00 BK 9 pellet in Estate low brass patterned second best only to flitecontrol. I tried Remington 0 Buck and it patterned poorly. Didn’t matter the choke tube, my gun did not like the Remington. But most of everything patterned well with the IM
IC, both Winchester and Remington 1oz slugs shot very well. Flitecontrol 00 BK 9 pellet did the best out of IC. Seems the more open the choke, the better it performed. It also shot well with the cylinder choke, but Anything tighter than IC caused the flitecontrol to start opening up and have a horizontal spread in a line.
I think my two main chokes will be IC and IM. Just depends if I’m going to shoot a slug or flitecontrol or cheap buckshot.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.