The most important thing for rabbit hunting is a good tracking dog, but second is having the right choke in your shotgun when the rabbit eventually flushes. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the three choke tubes considered best for hunting rabbits and what makes them so popular.
The best choke tube we’ve found for rabbits is Carlson’s Improved Cylinder Choke. It’s the perfect diameter for close range shots with small lead pellets. It can also handle quick shots on flushing rabbits while not being too tight and destroying meat.
Choke tube diameters are dependent on the range and shot size you will be hunting, and with rabbits it is no different. Lead 7.5 shot and steel 6’s are popular rabbit hunting shotshell loads, so it’s important to find a choke that patterns this ammo well.
Best Chokes for Rabbit Hunting
These are the top 3 choke tubes for rabbit hunting that you should consider before you head into the field. Remember, choke tubes are only as good as the shotgun, ammo, and choke that are being used, so pattern your setup to know exactly what you’re working with.
1) Carlson’s Improved Cylinder Choke
Carlson’s is one of the most trusted choke tube brands in the industry and their extended improved cylinder choke is perfect for rabbit hunting at ranges inside 30 yards. Paired with lead 7.5 shot, it can deliver a uniform and effective pattern out to 30 yards and makes for a versatile all-around choke tube for most situations. It’s also compatible with steel shot. This is the TOP pick.
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2) Briley’s Improved Cylinder Choke
Briley’s extended choke tubes are another option that perform similar to Carlson’s, but the Improved Cylinder is especially good for hunting rabbits in thick brush where shots are close. If you already have good luck with Briley chokes in other sizes, check out this IC choke. It’s effective at a range between 20 and 30 yards with 7.5 shot.
- Precision-matched constrictions:...
- Extended tube design: Choke extends...
- Polished interior finish: Highly...
- Knurled band with markings: Textured...
- Steel shot compatible: Safe for use with...
3) Browning Midas Improved Cylinder Choke
Browning manufacturers their own extended choke tubes from cylinder all the way to full, and the improved cylinder from the Midas lineup is a great choice for extended ranges. If you have a Browning shotgun that accepts Invector Plus, this is the choke to get.
- Fits: Browning Investor Plus 12 gauge...
- Extended
- Improved Cylinder
- Fits: Browning Invector Plus 12 gauge...
- Stainless Steel with a black oxide...
Why you should choose the Carlson’s IC Choke for rabbit hunting
- Made from high-quality stainless steel
- Specifically designed to provide superior performance
- Features a unique design that allows for tighter shot patterns and improved accuracy
- Less fouling and improved consistency
- Superior durability and corrosion resistance
- Improved accuracy and performance
Why an improved cylinder choke works best for Rabbit Hunting
Improved cylinder chokes are one of the most open choke diameters (0.716”) and because of this are versatile in many different close range hunting situations. Chokes in improved cylinder can handle rabbits flushing close and fleeing shots up to 30 yards.
Improved cylinder choke tubes work especially well with 7.5 lead shot and it’s not uncommon to pattern this choke and ammo combination and receive 80% coverage in a 30 inch circle at 25 yards. Steel shot also works well with improved cylinder choke tubes like the Carlson’s extended choke mentioned above.
Rabbit hunting with a shotgun
Wild rabbits are commonly hunted with rifles, shotguns, and bow and arrows, but the shotgun has always been the most popular. Shotguns allow for the use of small lead pellets which won’t damage the meat, and it’s also easier to hit a flushing rabbit with a shotgun spread than it is with a rifle. The choke tube setup for a shotgun is important and will need to be tailored to the type of rabbits you will be pursuing.
Rabbits tend to prefer thick cover, such as hedge rows, briar patches, and thick vegetation. Only when they feel it’s safe to do so, will they emerge from cover and present a shot opportunity. This means 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.
For wild rabbits, the modified (0.705”) or improved modified (0.695”) are other recommended chokes diameters that will keep your pattern together for shots between 30 and 40 yards. If you expect your shots to be longer, choosing a tighter diameter choke tube is the best option. It will still work well with 7.5 shot or 6 shot while extending your effective range.
Rabbit Choke Tubes and Ranges
- Improved Cylinder (15-30 yards) – Up close flushing shots
- Modified (20-35 yards) – Flushing and long range flushing shots
- Improved Modified (35-40 yards) – Long range flushing shots
- Full Choke (40-60 yards) – Shots over 40 yards
The chart above shows the recommended choke tube and range in yards for rabbit hunting. Improved cylinder is the best choke for typical rabbit hunting shots that include close flushes in thick brush. Improved modified (IM) and full chokes are best for longer range shots on open terrain after the rabbit is flushed and at full stride.
What time of day is best for rabbit hunting
The best time of day for rabbit hunting is early morning, around 30 minutes after sunrise. This is the time rabbits are most active and when the best opportunity is present to locate their forage and hiding spaces.
Rabbits will typically loaf around their den, not going too far in search of food and water. This is the prime time to set up an ambush or flush them for the opportunity for a shot.
Early morning rabbit hunting is most productive on clear and calm mornings when rabbits feel less threatened by predators and weather. In these conditions, rabbits will typically sun themselves or rest out in the open, making spotting them and setting up a game plan easier.
Rabbit 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 rabbits
- Keep shots below 40 yards, know your ammo and choke limitations
- A full choke may be needed for long range rabbit hunting
- 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 a rabbit to increase distance before shooting
Improved cylinder choke tubes can take a lot of the guess work out of rabbit hunting. They usually work well with most ammo and won’t damage the rabbits 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 rabbits are responding while in the field. Changing a choke only takes seconds with a good choke wrench.
What to expect
When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for rabbit hunting, Carlson’s IC choke stands out from its competitors. The Carlson’s IC 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 IC choke is built to ensure that the shot is evenly distributed, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Overall, the Carlson’s IC choke is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.
Bottom Line: Improved Cylinder is Best for Hunting Rabbits
Rabbit hunting requires a choke size geared toward the situation at hand. 7.5 lead shot and 6 steel shot are popular pellet sizes most rabbit hunters use. Naturally, finding a choke tube that patterns these loads well is the key to success in the field.
An extended choke tube, like Carlson’s Improved Cylinder Choke is the best choice for rabbit hunting. It patterns small lead shot effectively with very few gaps for a rabbit to escape from. It’s most effective between 15 and 30 yards, which is perfect for most rabbit hunting situations.
There are several other options including the improved cylinder offered by Briley and the Midas improved modified from Browning. Whichever choke you choose, make sure it fits the shotgun you will be using and is compatible with the ammo you will be shooting.
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Last update on 2025-09-08 / Affiliate links / Product Images from Amazon Product Advertising API