The ability to hit a fast-moving bird is the most crucial aspect of dove hunting, but having the right choke in your shotgun when the bird finally passes by is a close second. In this guide, we’ll look at the three choke tubes that are considered the best for hunting doves and why they’re so popular.
Choke tubes for dove hunting are normally selected based on shot distance and shot size. Because lead #7.5 shot and steel #6 shot are typical dove hunting shotshell loads, finding a choke that patterns this ammo well is critical. Modified, Improved Modified, and Light Modified are all popular dove hunting choke tube sizes.
Best Chokes for Dove Hunting
These are the three chokes you should consider for dove hunting that can produce more consistent and dense patterns downrange compared to factory chokes. They are a great place to start when patterning your shotgun to find out which choke tubes and ammo combinations work best.
1) Carlson’s White Wing Dove Choke
The White Wing Dove choke by Carlson’s is the top option for added range in high winds or days the birds are flying high. This choke comes in Improved Modified and paired with #7.5 lead shot is a good combo for shots to 40 yards.
This choke is perfect for hunting late season birds that think they are unhittable. If you already have good luck with Carlson’s chokes in other sizes, check out what this IM choke can do in the dove field. This is the TOP pick.
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2) TRUGLO Double-Threat Dove Choke
The TRUGLO Double-Threat Dove Choke is designed to make quick choke adjustments in the dove field. It’s precision-made using CNC to adhere to tight tolerances and can be twisted quickly to change the diameter of the choke.
It has a DECOY and PASS setting for close or longer shots, respectively. This choke can be used with both lead and steel shot. It’s perfect for days when the doves are unpredictable, and you can adjust it for close or long shots in seconds. This is the BUDGET pick.
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3) Carlson’s Modified Choke Tube
Carlson’s is one of the most trusted choke tube brands in the industry and their extended modified choke is perfect for dove hunting. It delivers a dense pattern out to 35 yards with lead #7.5’s and makes for a versatile all-around choke tube for most dove hunting situations.
The Carlson’s modified allows you to hit long range birds, without having to sacrifice the close in shots. This is great for those quick action hunts where you don’t have to second guess your choke or stop to change it out.
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Why a modified choke works best for Dove Hunting
Modified chokes are the middle ground of all choke diameters (0.705”) and because of this are versatile in many different hunting situations. Chokes in modified can handle doves passing by close as well as long fast-moving passing shots overhead.
Modified choke tubes work especially well with #7.5 lead shot and it’s not uncommon to pattern this choke/ammo combination and receive 80% coverage in a 30 inch circle at 35 yards. Steel shot also works well with a modified choke tube like the Carlson’s White Wing choke mentioned above.
If you expect doves to be passing by close, between 15 and 20 yards, switching to a more open choke is your best bet. An improved cylinder is the top choice for close shots in hot feeding fields.
Hunting wild doves in high pressure areas
Wild doves is high pressure areas can be challenging to hunt. Your choke setup will likely need to be tailored to how hard the doves in your area are being hunted and how they react to tons of pressure (i.e. opening day).
Dove hunting in a hot field can mean most of your shots are going to be within 20-25 yards where an Improved Cylinder (0.716”) which opens the shot up quicker will be the top choice. If you hunt over a spinning wing decoy, this can also provide some close in shots.
For late season doves, the modified (0.705”) or improved modified (0.695”) are the top choices that will keep your pattern together for shots between 30 and 40 yards.
Dove Choke Tubes and Ranges
- Improved Cylinder (10-20 yards) – Up close decoy shots
- Modified (20-40 yards) – Medium and long range passing shots
- Improved Modified (35-45 yards) – Long range shots
- Full Choke (40-60 yards) – High flying birds over 40 yards
The chart above shows the recommended choke tube size and range in yards for dove hunting. Modified is the best choke for typical dove hunting shots that include close decoying to spinning wings setups and birds passing by scenarios. Improved cylinder is the best for close shots over high trafficked feeding fields. Improved modified (IM) and full chokes are best for long range shots for late season doves that fly high and are actively avoiding hunters.
High flying doves
A high-flying dove is any bird over 40 yards. High flying doves usually have a destination in mind, and it’s not where you’re at. But it just so happens they fly by you at Mach 3 speed on the way there. They can be one of the most challenging shots in bird hunting.
Choke and ammo combinations for these high-flying birds need to be able to hold together beyond 40 yards. A full choke can even be a viable choke size in this situation. Increasing shot size to lead #6’s or Steel #3’s is also warranted.
Dove Hunting Field Tips
- Get a set of improved cylinder, modified, and improved modified chokes
- This will let you switch chokes as conditions change
- Lead #7.5’s and an IC choke tube work well for close shots on dove
- Keep shots below 50 yards, know your ammo and choke limitations
- A full choke may be needed for those days where birds are flying high
- Wind days, especially those with cross winds, you may need to up your pellet size
- Pattern your shotgun to find out what choke and ammo work best
- If using a tight choke, allow close birds to get distance before shooting
Modified choke tubes can take a lot of the guess work out of dove hunting. They usually work well with most ammo and won’t damage the birds at close ranges.
Having a set of choke tubes in your hunting vest or backpack is the best option that works well for changing conditions. You can tailor your setup to how doves are responding while in the field and changing a choke only takes seconds with a good choke wrench.
What to expect
When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for Dove Hunting, Carlson’s White Wing choke stands out from its competitors. The Carlson’s White Wing choke 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 White Wing choke ensures that the shot is evenly distributed, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Overall, the Carlson’s White Wing choke is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.
Bottom Line
Dove hunting requires a choke size geared toward the situation at hand. #7.5 Lead shot and #6 steel shot are popular pellet sizes most dove hunters use. Naturally, finding a choke tube that patterns these loads well is key to success in the field.
The Carlson’s White Wing Dove choke is the newest and best performing dove choke currently available. It can handle both close range and long-range shots, making it a very versatile option. Other options that have proven to work well for doves include Carlson’s Modified choke and the Truglo Double Threat Dove choke.
Hunting doves on opening day vs late season can help determine which choke size you may need. Shots on late season doves tend to be longer where a modified or improved modified are best. Close shots on doves in a feeding field on opening day may only require an improved cylinder for shots inside 20 yards.
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Last update on 2025-09-06 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API