Top 3 Accurate Choke Tubes for Hunting Woodcock

The ability to hit a fast-moving bird is the most crucial aspect of Woodcock hunting but having the right choke in your shotgun when the bird finally flushes is second. In this guide, we’ll look at the three choke tubes that work well for hunting Woodcocks and why they’re so popular.

Choke size for hunting Woodcocks is normally chosen based on distance and shot size. Steel #6 and #7 shot are typical Woodcock hunting shotshell loads, so finding a choke that patterns well with these light loads between 20 and 30 yards is critical. Modified, Improved Modified, and Improved Cylinder are all popular Woodcock hunting choke tube sizes.

Best Choke Tubes for Woodcock Hunting

These are the three chokes you should consider for Woodcocks that can produce more consistent and dense patterns downrange with smaller steel 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 Woodcock 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 Woodcock hunting situations.

This choke performs exceptionally well at medium ranges for Woodcock being flushed by pointers or for crossing shots out of thick cover. #6 and #7 shot happen to be the sweet spot with this choke, and fast flying Woodcock just can’t escape it. This is the TOP pick.

Carlson's Modified Choke Tube - Extended

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

2) Patternmaster Anaconda Choke Tube

Patternmaster’s Anaconda choke works extremely well with small steel shot loads and can produce more consistent results over factory choke tubes. The Anaconda features gas over coil technology that helps to dissipate and channel the gas expansion outward for better patterns. It’s a solid option for Woodcock inside 30 yards.

Patternmaster Anaconda Upland Game Choke Tube

ANACONDA SERIES - The Anaconda...
SHORT RANGE - The Anaconda Short Range...
PERFORMANCE & COMPATIBILITY - Giving it...
CONSTRUCTION - This Patternmaster...
HIGH-EFFECTIVE SHOTS - Counter-spin...

3) Carlson’s White Wing Dove Choke

The White Wing dove choke by Carlson’s is another option for added range in high winds or days the birds are flushing far away. This choke comes in Improved Modified and paired with 6 shot steel is a good combo for shots to 40 yards. If you already have good luck with Carlson’s chokes in other sizes, check out this IM choke. This is the BUDGET pick.

Carlson’s White Wing Dove Choke Tube - Ported

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

Why a modified choke works best for Woodcock 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 Woodcocks flushing close as well as long fast-moving passing shots as they glide away from you.

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. Steel shot also works well with a modified choke tube like the Carlson’s extended choke mentioned above.

How to hunt Woodcocks

Wild Woodcocks are more difficult to hunt than other game birds. They are hard to see in the field since they blend in well and you may not even know that they are there until they flush or make a sound. Your choke setup will likely need to be tailored to the types of Woodcocks you will be hunting and how they react to being disturbed.

A Woodcocks response to being flushed can often be erratic. This means most of your shots in thick brush or forest situations are going to be within 10-25 yards where an Improved Cylinder (0.715”) which opens the shot up quicker will be the top choice.

For Woodcocks in open terrain where flushes will happen further out, 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.

Woodcock Choke Tubes and Ranges

Improved Cylinder (10-20 yards) – Up close flushing shots
Modified (20-40 yards) – Flushing and long range flushing shots
Improved Modified (35-45 yards) – Long range flushing shots
Full Choke (40-60 yards) – High flying birds over 40 yards

Ballistics show that a 1400 fps load of steel #7 shot achieves 0.90″ of gel penetration at 25 yards, while a 1300 fps load of steel #6 shot achieves 0.90″ of gel penetration at 30 yards. These are the max ranges for 6 and 7 steel shot for woodcocks.

The chart above shows the recommended choke tube and range in yards for Woodcock hunting. Modified is the best choke for typical Woodcock hunting shots that include close flushes and bird exiting scenarios. Improved Cylinder is the best for close flushing shots just as the Woodcock rises. Improved Modified (IM) and Full chokes are best for extreme range shots after the bird is exiting and gained full momentum at max distance.

Woodcock Hunting Field Tips

Get a set of improved cylinder, modified, and improved modified chokes
This will let you switch chokes as conditions change
Steel #7’s and an IC choke tube work well on close birds
Keep shots below 40 yards, know your ammo and choke limitations
A full choke may be needed for those days where birds are flushing prematurely
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 bird flushing close to get distance before shooting

Modified choke tubes can take a lot of the guess work out of Woodcock 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 Woodcocks 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 Woodcock, 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

Woodcock hunting requires a choke size geared toward the most common scenarios you’ll be encountering. #6 and #7 steel shot are popular pellet sizes most Woodcock hunters use for shots between 20 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 Woodcock hunting choke tube. Two other options for the days when shots are longer and the birds are flushing prematurely are the Patternmaster Anaconda and Carlson’s White Wing choke.

Hunting Woodcocks and figuring out how the birds are responding will help determine which choke size you may need. Shots on Woodcocks in open terrain tend to be longer where a Modified or Improved Modified are best. Woodcocks in forest clutter and brush may only require an Improved Cylinder for shots inside 20 yards.

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