Please select a choke type from the categories below:
Waterfowl Choke Tubes
Choke tubes for waterfowl are designed to work well with steel shot and certain heavier than lead non-toxic loads. Waterfowl choke tubes come in a wide range of constrictions including light modified, modified, improved modified, and full choke.
Open chokes such as modified and light modified are best for hunting ducks and geese over decoys. Tight choke tubes such as full chokes and improved modified help to keep the shot column tighter for longer shots.
Waterfowl choke tubes are available in both flush chokes and extended chokes. Flush choke tubes sit entirely inside the barrel of the shotgun, flush with the barrel. Extended choke tubes extend past the end of the barrel, often by 1 to 1.5 inches, and are easier to remove by hand.
Turkey Choke Tubes
Choke tubes for turkey hunting are designed to be used with lead shot and certain heavier than lead loads like Tungsten Super Shot. Turkey choke tubes are centered on maintaining tight patterns with even pellet distribution.
Most turkey choke tubes are light-full, full, or extra-full diameter. Turkey chokes are mostly extended choke tubes with the extension being over 2 inches on some models. The abundance of ports can slightly reduce recoil, while shortening the shot string so all pellets arrive at once to the target.
Tukey chokes work best with heavy magnum loads and can be capable of putting 80% of pellets in a 10-inch circle at 50 yards or more.
Dove Choke Tubes
There are several choke tubes designed specifically for dove hunting. These types of chokes feature open diameters capable of handling small lead shot commonly used to hunt doves.
The most common choke sizes of dove hunting are improved cylinder and light modified, although cylinder and skeet chokes can be used early in the season or in hot feeding fields where shots are within 20 yards. Most dove hunting is done within 30 yards, so having a choke that can create an effective pattern at close ranges is a must on these fast-flying birds.
#7.5 and #8 lead pellets are the most popular pellet sizes for dove ammo. Choosing a dove choke that works well with these types of loads should be a top priority every dove season.
Predator Choke Tubes
Predator hunting choke tubes are designed for hunting medium sized game such as coyotes, hogs, deer, and bobcats. These chokes can work well at long distances with large lead shot, such as buckshot, and penetrate deeper than standard loads.
Buckshot is a popular ammo choice with predator choke tubes. #4 and 00 buck are the top two pellet sizes chosen for their accuracy and range for most predator hunting scenarios. Having a choke tube that patterns these two loads well is the first step to having success in the field.
Other predator choke tubes include rifled chokes used with slugs and TSS chokes designed specifically for Tungsten Super Shot. Long ranges and knock down power are the name of the game for predator hunting, and a quality choke tube is a high priority to get effective results.
Choke Tube Guides
Choke Tube FAQs
Does a flush choke pattern better than an extended choke tube?
Extended aftermarket chokes typically pattern better and perform better overall than standard flush choke tubes. Extended chokes can have features such as porting and internal rings that flush chokes do not.
Flush chokes can provide acceptable pattern results, but field tests have proven that extended chokes pattern shot better. They also make removing and installing a choke by hand easier since you can grab on to them and apply pressure.
What is the best choke size for waterfowl?
Modified is the most versatile choke size for all situations, from decoying to pass shooting. The three types of modified choke tubes include improved modified, modified, and light modified. Improved modified is a tighter diameter than both modified and light modified.
An improved modified measures 0.696 for Beretta and Benelli, 0.697 for Browning, 0.705 for Winchester, and 0.697 for Remington. Choke tube markings indicate an improved modified choke tube with two notches.
Duck hunting with a modified choke and 4 shot is a lethal combination. Improved modified also makes a great long range choke with larger steel shot. As with all choke tubes, you should pattern your shotgun to see what choke works best for the distance you will be hunting.
Will a waterfowl choke work for turkey hunting?
Yes. A waterfowl choke will work for turkey hunting, especially the tighter chokes like Patternmaster that are bordering on full choke territory.
Full chokes can be good duck hunting chokes with a modern shotgun and small steel shot (#2 shot or smaller). Full chokes hold pattern density together for longer ranges which can be great for shots over 40 yards. However, never shoot steel shot out a choke tube that isn’t designed for it.
The typical constriction for a 12 gauge full choke is 0.685”. A choke this tight can cause patterning issues with large steel shot due to shot compaction. An over-choked shotgun usually produces poor patterns with many flyer pellets and holes in the pattern.
The majority of duck hunting is conducted over decoys which reduces the need for using a full choke. A modified choke or light modified is ideal for these situations since the pattern opens up more and it’s easier to hit ducks in the air.
Will a turkey choke tube work for waterfowl hunting?
No, turkey choke tubes are too tight for waterfowl hunting and mostly designed for lead shot. Steel shot should not be used with tight turkey choke tubes.
The .665 turkey choke is considered the best diameter choke tube for hunting turkeys. While .665 is not the tightest choke tube available, it patterns extremely tight with most turkey loads.
.665 choke tubes are popular because they can deliver tight patterns, are extra full diameter, work well with most turkey ammo, are effective past 50 yards, are extended and grooved for easy removal, and made of stainless steel which increases longevity and reduces corrosion.
Latest Posts
- Best Waterfowl Choke Tubes for 2024, Expert Picks
- Choke Tube Diameter and Constriction Table
- 5 Easy Ways to Remove a Stuck Choke Tube
Choke Interchange Lookup
Find which choke tube fits your shotgun.