You may be wondering how a choke tube works and why it’s important to develop consistent and even patterns for hunting ducks. Understanding the basics of choke tubes is key to developing good patterns for hunting.
A choke tube works like the nozzle of a yard hose. An open nozzle results in water spraying wide, while a tight nozzle makes a stream of water that shoots far. Open and tight chokes work the same way as they compress the shot as it passes through the choke.
The technical aspects of pellet ballistics and choke sizes can get confusing, so in this guide we’ll discuss how choke tubes work, the history behind them, and how chokes and shotguns work together to provide better patterns.
How a Choke Tube Works
The choke of a shotgun barrel works in large part the same as a nozzle of a hose. When the nozzle is tightened, water forms a stream and is projected further out. When the nozzle is opened, the spray becomes wider, and the water travels a shorter distance.
Even though manipulating the nozzle changes the stream, the amount of water flowing through the hose does not change; only the width of the nozzle opening does. In the same context, the shot pattern is changed by narrowing the size of the bore diameter at the muzzle of a shotgun.
History of Shotgun Choke Tubes
Shotguns throughout history have been made with a wide variety of choke tube boring sizes, although recently fixed choke systems tend to be few and only regulated to single shot shotguns. Most newer guns tend to favor choke tube systems that allow for the interchanging of choke tubes in a quick manner.
The effective shooting range for a choke bore is often determined by the distance where at least 60 percent of the shot falls within a 30-inch circle. This is estimated to be 25 yards for improved cylinder, 35 yards for modified, and 40 yards for a full choke.
Recommended Chokes
The choke sizes listed below have proven to work well for the following game animals. While there a many choke tube diameters, improved cylinder, modified, and full are the most popular.
Improved Cylinder
Dove, Quail, Rabbit, Woodcock. Improved Cylinder chokes produce wide patterns at short ranges. They work well with small lead shot for fast moving birds that flush close. IC chokes are best for shots inside 35 yards.
Modified
Pheasant, Ducks and Geese Over Decoys. The Modified choke tube is the middle ground of choke constrictions and thus provides the best setup for changing conditions. Modified chokes are best for shots between 30 and 45 yards.
Full Choke
Pass Shooting Waterfowl, Turkey, Sandhill Cranes, Coyote. Full chokes are specialty choke tube for long range shots on larger game. They pair well with buckshot and heavier than lead alternatives where dense tight patterns beyond 50 yards are needed.
Read more here about effective ranges for game animals.
Choke Systems
Advantages to bore diameter can be gained from shooting a double barrel or over/under shotgun that allows for two different choke sizes. Interchangeable barrels are another option for fixed choke systems. Additionally, adjustable choke systems can provide quick options for picking the correct choke tube for a particular situation.
- Fixed chokes – Shotguns that have one choke diameter. The most common fixed choke shotgun is fixed full which was installed on shotguns before 1990. Fixed choke shotguns have the choke diameter cut into the end of the barrel.
- Interchangeable chokes – Choke systems are installed on some shotguns making switching between several choke diameters a possibility. These systems feature a threaded choke base which mates with threads inside the shotgun barrel.
Consult the choke interchangeable lookup to see what chokes fit.
Types of Shotguns and Chokes
Popular waterfowl shotguns come in standard barrel lengths of 26, 28, 30, and 32-inches. The longer barrels are geared toward goose hunting and long-range pass shooting. Shorter barrels, even down to 24-inches are used for improved handling in tighter situations such as duck blinds or timber hunting.
Shotgun Ribbing
Ribs are usually attached to the barrel of a shotgun and are either vented or solid. The raised surface of the ribbing adds a better sight plane than the barrel itself. The ventilated rib allows for the barrel to cool off quicker in situations such as trap shooting where many rounds are fired, and the barrel can get quite hot. The vent rib allows for heat to be channeled out of the surface slots and away from the barrel.
Non-Vent Rib
Shotguns without vent ribs have smooth barrels with a bead on the end for aiming. This requires the shooter to aim down the top of the barrel without the relief that a vent rib can provide.
Without the rib, a shotgun barrel can swing quicker due to being lighter. It can also point quicker for fast flushing birds. Shotguns without vent ribs tend to be older or vintage shotguns manufactured before 1990.
Bottom Line
Understanding how choke tubes work and what to expect while hunting can make the difference between a successful hunt and going home empty handed. A choke tube works like the nozzle of a yard hose. An open nozzle results in water spraying wide, while a tight nozzle makes a stream of water that shoots far.
Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full are the most popular types of choke tubes. They can be found on shotguns in either fixed choke or part of a removable choke system. Vent ribbing is attached to the top of shotgun barrels to aid in creating a better sight plane for aiming.
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