Top 3 Waterfowl Choke Tubes for the Browning A5

↬ The Browning A5 is a popular shotgun for hunting both ducks and geese, and with the right choke tube, it can deliver consistent patterns with non-toxic shot. The A5‘s versatility allows it to function in even the most challenging environments, but it needs the right choke tube to function effectively.

The A5 has such a storied history for waterfowl hunting in America with it’s humpback design and dependability in the field. Early A5 models were designed to be used with fixed chokes, but the new Browning A5 shotguns are equipped with the Invector DS interchangeable choke system.

The Patternmaster Code Black and Carlson’s Cremator are two of the best choke tubes for the Browning A5. They can deliver exceptional results inside a 30-inch circle at 40 yards. Carlson’s Long Beard is a great choke for turkey hunting that’s capable of providing dense patterns over 50 yards paired with Winchester XR ammo.

Best Choke Tubes for the Browning A5

Below are the top 3 best choke tubes for the Browning A5 that you should consider and what makes the A5 shotgun such a dependable choice for waterfowl hunting. The newer style Browning A5’s are compatible with the Invector DS choke system, while some older A5 models use Standard Invector.

1) Patternmaster Code Black Choke Tube

The Patternmaster Code Black is a top-of-the-line choke tube that provides unmatched performance in long-range hunting situations. This choke tube uses a specialized constriction design that helps to control the spread of shot at longer distances. This makes it an ideal choice for waterfowl hunters who need to take shots at moving targets from a distance.

Patternmaster choke tubes work by using internal ring studs to halt the wad from the shot column just before it leaves the barrel, resulting in a controlled wad separation for less disruption to pellet distribution that happens when separation occurs outside the barrel. The Code Black choke is exceptional when paired with the A5 and is best for medium to long range shots of up to 60 yards. Expect this choke to pattern closer to a full choke. This is the TOP pick for MAX range.

Patternmaster Code Black Choke - Ported - Browning A5

VERSATILE TUBE - The Code Black Duck is...
ULTIMATE SHOTS - The 12 Gauge Code Black...
PATTERN OPTIONS - Thanks to this...
UP TO 60 YARDS - Effective distances...
CONSTRUCTION - Crafted from...

2) Carlson’s Cremator Choke Tube

The Carlson’s Cremator choke tube is an excellent choice for hunters who need a versatile choke that can perform well with a variety of shotshell loads. This choke tube uses a unique design that consists of multiple tapers, which work together to provide a consistent shot pattern. This makes the Cremator ideal for hunting situations where you need to be able to adjust your shooting style quickly and accurately.

The Cremator line of chokes by Carlson’s is a ported design that patterns well with the A5. This is a Browning extended choke tube set with a Mid Range .725” Diameter (Improved Modified) and Long Range .715” Diameter (Light Modified) choke. This choke set allows you to change chokes quickly for in close decoying or longer shots if the birds aren’t working well. This is the BUDGET pick.

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Carlson's Cremator Choke Tube - Ported - Browning A5

30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No other...
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3) Carlson’s Long Beard Turkey Choke

The Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke features a tight constriction that delivers dense and consistent patterns, even with heavier than lead loads. Additionally, this choke performs well with a variety of shotshell loads, from lighter loads for close-range shots to heavier magnum loads for longer distances. With its versatility and reliable performance, the Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke is an excellent choice for any serious turkey hunter.

The newer Browning A5 shotguns excel for hunting turkeys and the Long Beard choke by Carlson’s is a good fit. It has an extremely tight diameter of .665” which is about as tight as you can get for a turkey choke. Paired with Winchester XR ammo, this combo can put dense patterns in a 10-inch circle at over 50 yards.

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Carlson's Long Beard XR Choke Tube - Ported - Browning A5

Product Type: Fishing Equipment
Item Package Dimensions: 3.7 L X 8.5 W X...
Country Of Origin: United States
Item Package Weight: 0.105 kgs

Why the Patternmaster is the best waterfowl choke for the A5

Over a three-shot average, the Patternmaster delivered the best patterning results
Patternmaster chokes keep the wad from interfering with the shot
Extended choke design makes for easy removal and choke swap out while hunting
Durable stainless steel won’t corrode when wet
Patternmaster can make long shots up to 60 yards when needed
Code Black chokes work well with a wide variety of ammo
Invector DS chokes by Patternmaster fit the newer A5 perfectly

Newer A5 vs the Original A5 Browning Shotguns

Browning made two versions of the A5, referred to as the either the original or newer version. The original A5 shotgun ended production in 1998 which resulted in a 16-year hiatus before the newer version of the A5 was released in 2014.

All Browning A5 shotguns made after 2014 use the Invector DS choke system. This interchangeable choke system allows for rapid changing of choke tubes while using a quality choke wrench.

The original Browning A5s were either fixed choke shotguns or used the Browning Invector choke system. Older Browning A5 choke tubes will not fit the newer A5’s with Invector DS chokes.

The current lineup of Browning A5 shotguns include:

A5 Sweet Sixteen Upland
A5 Sweet Sixteen – Mossy Oak
A5 Vintage Tan
A5 Lightning Sweet Sixteen
A5 Wicked Wing Vintage Tan
A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen – Mossy Oak
A5 Ultimate Sweet Sixteen
A5 Realtree Max-7
A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen Realtree Max-7
A5 Wicked Wing Sweet Sixteen – Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat
A5 Sweet Sixteen – Realtree Max-7
A5 Sweet Sixteen – Mossy Oak Bottomland
A5 Wicked Wing – Realtree Max-7
A5 Sweet Sixteen
A5 Wicked Wing – Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat
A5 Ultimate
A5 Stalker
A5 Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat
A5 Hunter
A5 High Grade Hunter
A5 Mossy Oak Break-Up Country

Is the Browning A5 a good gun?

The Browning A5 is one of the best semi-automatic waterfowl shotguns ever produced. It was originally manufactured for 96 years based on the same initial design. It’s proven to work well in harsh conditions which makes it the perfect duck hunting gun.

The current production Browning A5 has only been around for 9 years, but it has shown similar reliability in the field. While the internal mechanisms aren’t exactly the same as the original A5, it still works with the same smooth recoil operated cycling.

There are currently 21 different A5 models to choose from in varying gauges and camo patterns. These shotguns have been designed with the latest technology including Kinematic Drive recoil reduction, ergo balance, speed load plus, and inflex technology.

Browning Invector DS vs Invector Plus choke systems

Invector Plus and Invector DS choke tubes are not interchangeable. Invector plus choke tubes are designed for Browning shotguns such as the BPS and Browning Gold. They will not fit the Browning A5 set up for Invector DS.

Browning Invector plus choke tubes have a different thread design than Invector DS which makes visual identification between the two simple. Invector plus threads start at the bottom of the choke tube and are wider than Invector DS. Threads for the Invector DS chokes start near the top of the choke and the threads are narrower.

Browning shotgun choke codes

These are the typical markings on Browning choke tubes that indicate which diameter the choke tube is. A5 shotguns come with 3 flush choke tubes in full (F), modified (M), and improved cylinder (IC).

I – Full Lead or steel

II – Modified lead, Improved Modified Steel

III – Improved Cylinder lead, Improved Cylinder Steel

IIII – Skeet lead, Modified Steel

None – Cylinder lead, Improved Cylinder Steel

Aftermarket chokes may not have the same notches that the factory choke tubes come with. Typically, the choke diameter is etched on the side of the tube. This can wear off with time. The best method if unsure of choke size is to measure the inside diameter of the choke tube with a bore micrometer.

How It Compares

When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for the Browning A5 shotgun, Patternmaster Code Black stands out from its competitors. The Patternmaster Code Black is engineered with a unique design that provides consistent and even shot patterns, resulting in better accuracy and a higher precision. Unlike most of its competitors, the Patternmaster is built with a wad halting design, which ensures that the wad and shot column separate cleanly, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Additionally, the Code Black’s longer parallel section helps to reduce recoil, which in turn leads to more controlled shots and better follow ups. Overall, the Patternmaster Code Black is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.

Bottom Line

The Browning A5 shotgun is the most well-known shotgun for waterfowl due to its historical performance for over 100 years. Easily recognizable with its humpback design and slim profile, the A5 has proven its dependability and smooth cycling for generations.

The new version of the A5 shotgun started production in 2014 and is compatible with the Invector DS choke tube system. Older A5’s were either fixed choke or used Browning Standard Invector chokes. The two are not interchangeable.

The best choke for the Browning A5 is the Patternmaster Code Black. It can deliver tight patterns out to 60 yards on waterfowl. Carlson’s Cremator is another good option, especially their versatile choke tube sets which feature both mid and long-range tubes. Finally, the Long Beard XR choke performs extremely well with Winchester XR ammo out of the A5 for turkey hunting.

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