Top 3 Squirrel Hunting Chokes for the Backwoods

Squirrel hunting takes skill and patience to get right and mastering it requires both proficiency in tactics and the right tools for the job. A trusty squirrel shotgun is high on that list, but for it to function effectively, it needs the right choke tube.

The best choke tubes for squirrel hunting are Carlson’s Modified, Improved Modified, and Improved Cylinder chokes. These chokes have open diameters perfect for the distances and shot sizes typcially used for squirrel hunting. Steel #6 and lead 7.5 shot are popular squirrel hunting shotshell loads and chokes that pattern well with these two shot sizes are best.

In this guide, we’ll look at the three choke tubes that work well for squirrel hunting and why you should consider them the next time you head into the woods.

Top 3 Best Choke Tubes for Squirrel Hunting

The chokes below have proven to perform well for squirrel, providing dense patterns downrange with steel and lead shot. As always, patterning your shotgun is extremely important to find out which choke tubes and ammo work best out of it.

1) 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 squirrel hunting. It delivers a dense pattern out to 35 yards with steel #6’s and makes for a versatile all-around choke tube for most situations.

Carlson’s extended chokes are compatible with both steel and lead shot, so you can switch up the ammo without having to change chokes. For 20-30 yard shots on squirrels, this choke can’t be beat. This is the TOP pick.

Carlson's Modified Choke Tube - Non Ported

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...

2) Carlson’s Improved Cylinder Choke Tube

The improved cylinder extended choke (0.715”) by Carlson’s is another option for situations where squirrels are tree’d up close and the need to open the pattern quicker is warranted. This choke paired with 7.5 lead shot is a good combo for shots inside 25 yards. If you already have good luck with Carlson’s chokes in other sizes, check out this IC choke for your next squirrel hunt. This is the BUDGET pick.

Carlson's Improved Cylinder Choke - Non Ported

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) Browning Invector Plus Improved Modified

Browning manufactures their own extended choke tubes from cylinder all the way to full, and the improved modified is a great choice for long range squirrel hunting. You could even go up to a full choke if needed on days where squirrels are running through the trees and shots beyond 30 yards are needed. If you have a Browning shotgun that accepts Invector +, this is the choke to get.

Browning Invector Plus - Improved Modified

Constructed of highly...
Available in constrictions...
Knurled portion extends beyond...
Longer choke taper inside...
Produces excellent patterns...

Why the Carlson’s Modified Choke is the Best for Hunting Squirrels

Modified chokes work well at close and medium ranges
The modified choke paired with #7.5 ammo is effective to 35 yards
Lead shot and steel are rated for Carlson’s Modified Chokes
Modified choke tubes can put 80% or more pellets into a 30-inch circle at 30 yards
Carlson’s Modified chokes are affordable compared to similar choke tubes

Why a modified choke works best for Squirrel Hunting

Modified chokes are the middle ground of choke diameters (0.705”) and because of this are versatile in many different hunting situations. Chokes in modified can handle squirrel hunting at close range, as well as, longer shots as they attempt to work their way through trees at a fast pace.

Modified choke tubes work especially well with #6 steel shot and it’s not uncommon to pattern this choke and ammo combination and receive 80% coverage in a 30-inch circle at 30 yards. Lead shot also works just as well out of a modified choke and you can even drop down several pellet sizes to get the same ballistic penetration.

How to hunt Squirrels

Wild squirrels are some of the tastiest game animals to hunt and doing so requires covering lots of ground to find out where they are hanging out. If you know where they are, sitting under a tree and using a squirrel call can make them come to you. Your choke setup will likely need to be tailored to the types of squirrels you will be hunting and how they react to hunters.

Squirrel hunting in dense forests can limit which chokes are best. If most of your shots are in thick brush or dense vegetation, these situations are going to be within 20-25 yards where an Improved Cylinder (0.715”) which opens the shot up quicker will be the top choice.

For squirrel in open woodlands where they will see you coming from far off, the modified (0.705”) or improved modified (0.695”) are the top choices that will keep your pattern together for longer shots between 30 and 40 yards.

Squirrel Choke Tubes and Ranges

Improved Cylinder (10-20 yards) – Up close shots
Modified (20-40 yards) – Medium distance shots
Improved Modified (35-45 yards) – Long range shots
Full Choke (40-60 yards) – Long range over 40 yards

Ballistics show that a 1300 fps load of steel #6 shot enters 0.90″ of gel penetration at 31.8 yards, while a 1300 fps load of steel #4 shot enters 0.90″ of gel penetration at 35.6 yards. These are the max ranges for #6 and #4 steel shot while squirrel hunting.

The chart above shows the recommended choke tube and range in yards for squirrel hunting. Modified is the best choke for typical squirrel hunting shots that include close and medium range situations between 20 and 40 yards. Improved cylinder is the best for close shots with 7.5 lead pellets inside 20 yards. Improved modified (IM) and full chokes are best for longer range shots beyond 40 yards after the squirrel is flushed and is jumping through the trees.

Squirrel 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 on close squirrels
Keep shots below 40 yards, know your ammo and choke limitations
A full choke may be needed for those days where squirrels won’t tree up
Windy 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 a squirrel to get distance before shooting

Modified choke tubes can take a lot of the guess work out of squirrel hunting. They usually work well with most ammo and won’t damage the squirrel at close ranges with small pellet loads.

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 squirrels 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 hunting squirrels, Carlson’s Modified choke stands out from its competitors. The Carlson’s Modified 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 Modified choke ensures that the shot is evenly distributed, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Overall, the Carlson’s Modified choke is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.

Bottom Line

Squirrel hunting requires a choke size that can pattern #7.5 lead and #6 steel shot effectively and consistently between 15 and 30 yards. Naturally, finding a choke tube that patterns these loads well is key to success in the field.

A modified choke such as the extended chokes that Carlson’s offers work well for an all-around squirrel hunting choke tube. There are several other options including the improved cylinder choke and the improved modified from Browning.

Hunting squirrels and figuring out how they are responding will help determine which choke size you may need. Shots on squirrels in open woodlands tend to be longer where a modified or improved modified are best. Squirrels in dense vegetation and trees may only require an improved cylinder for shots inside 20 yards.

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