Must-Have Waterfowl Chokes for the Winchester 1400

↬ The Winchester 1400 shotgun has an excellent reputation for waterfowl hunting. It has proven to be dependable and capable of functioning smoothly in even the most challenging hunting situations, but the 1400 needs the right choke tube to function effectively.

The Patternmaster Code Black and Carlson’s Cremator are two of the best choke tubes for the Winchester 1400. They can deliver 80% of pellets inside a 30-inch circle at distances up to 40 yards with the right ammo. When used with Winchester XR ammo, Carlson’s Long Beard is a great turkey choke that produces tight patterns over 50 yards.

In this guide, we’ll discuss in more detail why you should consider these chokes, the features behind them, and what to expect at certain hunting distances. And remember, always pattern your shotgun to see how it performs with the ammo you plan on hunting with so adjustments can be made prior to using it in the field.

Chokes for the Winchester 1400 You Should Consider

These are the three chokes that you should consider for the 1400 shotgun that can help produce dense and more consistent patterns downrange. The Winchester 1400 is compatible with Standard Invector choke system.

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 less disruption to pellet distribution that happens when separation occurs outside the barrel. The Code Black choke works extremely well with the 1400 and is best for medium to long range shots of up to 60 yards. Expect it to pattern closer to a full choke. This is the TOP pick.

Patternmaster Code Black Choke Tube - Ported - Winchester 1400

VERSATILE TUBE - The Code...
ULTIMATE SHOTS - The 12 Gauge...
PATTERN OPTIONS - Thanks to...
UP TO 60 YARDS - Effective...
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 is a ported design that patterns well with the 1400. This is an 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.

Carlson's Cremator Choke Tube - Ported - Winchester 1400

30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No...
HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURED: Our...
HIGH PERFORMANCE: Carlson's...
LIFETIME WARRANTY: We back all...
MADE IN THE USA: All our...

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.

Winchester 1400 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 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.

Carlson's Long Beard XR Choke Tube - Ported - Winchester 1400

Fits Winchester shotguns (.660...
Manufactured from 17-4...
Features shot-look Technology...
Has a 25% longer Parallel...
NOTE: Didn't fit Winchester...

Why the Patternmaster is the best choke for the 1400

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
Chokes by Patternmaster fit the 1400 perfectly

Do extended choke tubes provide better patterns with the 1400?

In the field, extended choke tubes can outperform stock choke tubes. It’s critical to consider things like ammo and choke constriction while using extended chokes.

Extended choke tubes provide several advantages, including the ability to remove the choke without a choke wrench since it extends past the barrel, the ability to see the choke size stamped on the side of the choke without removing it, and the fact that most aftermarket choke tubes are extended.

If you use factory choke tubes, you’re limited to the diameter of chokes that come with the shotgun. Three choke tubes are usually utilized, ranging in diameter from open to tight. When it comes to personalizing your choke and ammo, extended choke tubes provide you additional options.

Tips on Improving Your Winchester 1400 Patterns

Test as many choke and ammo combinations as possible.
Chokes and ammo specifically designed for each other tend to work the best. The technology and development put into the front end just can’t be ignored.
Pattern your shotgun at the max distance you plan on shooting in the field.
Limit your patterning to a 30-inch diameter circle for waterfowl or 10-inch for turkeys
Compensate for shot drift in high winds or pellet fall at long distances.
Switch to dense shot like TSS or Hevi-shot for increased pellet energy and density.
Use an aftermarket sight for a better shot profile.
Average your results from 3 shots before giving up on a particular load.

How It Compares

When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for the Winchester 1400 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 Winchester 1400 shotgun is a well-known shotgun for waterfowl due to its historical performance for over a decade. Easily recognizable with its slim profile, the 1400 has proven its dependability and smooth cycling for many years.

The best choke for the Winchester 1400 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 choke tube sets which come with mid and long-range tubes.

Finally, the Long Beard XR choke performs extremely well with Winchester XR ammo out of the 1400 for turkey hunting. Whichever choke you choose, make sure it fits Winchester shotguns with the Standard Invector choke system.

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