Choke Tube Effective Ranges for Waterfowl

The effective range of a choke tube varies depending on the diameter of the choke, the ammo being used, and the field conditions that are present. Choke tubes with narrow diameters tend to have greater effective ranges while open diameters work best up close.

Modified and light full chokes are the two most popular choke tube sizes for waterfowl. The effective range provided by a modified choke tube can exceed 50 yards, but its popularity lies in being an all-around choke tube that performs well for most shots over decoys.

In this guide we’ll take a look at the effective ranges of cylinder all the way up to full choke and give our recommendations on which types of ducks and geese they work the best on.

Choke Tube Effective Range Chart

The chart above shows the effective range of choke tubes in cylinder, skeet, improved cylinder, light modified, modified, improved modified, light full, and full. These are the most common choke tube sizes used for waterfowl when using steel shot.

Related – Looking for a new choke tube? Check out the top picks here.

Choke tubes in cylinder can be effective out to 25 yards, modified chokes out to 45 yards, and full chokes can be effective past 55 yards. This wide range of choke tube sizes allows for adaptation to meet changing field conditions while hunting both large and small waterfowl.

Ammunition’s Effects on Choke Tube Range

While choke tubes play a large role in determining effective ranges for waterfowl, so does the ammunition that is put through them. The two largest factors regarding ammunition are pattern tightness and downrange energy.

The tightness of a pattern is determined by pellet density and size. Larger pellets and more dense pellets tend to hold together at longer ranges which increases their effectiveness.  Smaller, lighter pellets lose their energy faster which makes their effective range short.

Field Conditions Can Alter the Range of a Choke

Weather can alter the effective range of choke tubes. Wind is the biggest impediment to choke tubes performing at their max ranges.  Strong winds can slow pellets quicker and crosswinds can disrupt shot from reaching the target.

To mitigate the effects of wind, it is recommended that a tighter choke be selected on windy days. If you typically use a modified choke, switching to an improved modified will help retain the same range and pattern density.

The Most Common Types of Waterfowl Chokes

Waterfowl are hunted in a wide range of conditions and choke sizes can vary broadly because of it. The most common choke sizes for waterfowl are cylinder, skeet, improved cylinder, light modified, modified, improved modified, light full, and full.

Cylinder Choke Tubes

Cylinder choke tubes (C) measure 0.729” in diameter in 12 gauge. They are essentially an open choke with very little constriction over that of the barrel itself. Cylinder choke tubes are not widely used for waterfowl, but they can offer acceptable performance in some close decoying situations inside 25 yards.

Improved Cylinder Choke Tubes

Improved cylinder chokes tubes (IC) have a diameter of 0.716”. They offer a slight improvement in range over cylinder chokes while still providing the same quick pattern expansion. Improved cylinder is best for hunting flooded timber or terrain where shots on ducks and geese are within 35 yards.

Light Modified Choke Tubes

Light modified choke tubes (LM) are made in 0.710” diameter. They offer a transition from the previous open chokes to one that is capable of longer shots if they arise. Light modified is still considered a choke for decoying birds, but the longer shots out to 40 yards are not out of the question.

Modified Choke Tubes

Modified choke tubes (M) have a diameter of 0.705”. These choke tubes are considered the best all-around for waterfowl hunting due to their versatility for both close and long shots. The effective range of a modified choke tube is between 20 and 45 yards. The furthest you want to shoot with a modified choke tube is around 50 yards.

Improved Modified Choke Tubes

Improved modified choke tubes (IM) measure 0.695” in diameter. They provide tight patterns in situations where longer shots are required. Chokes in improved modified are especially popular for goose hunting both over decoys and pass shooting. The max effective range of improved modified is 50 yards.

Light Full Choke Tubes

Light full choke tubes (LF) have an inside diameter of 0.690”. These chokes are best used for special situations where long shots and tight patterns are the norm, such as pass shooting greater Canadas. The max effective range of light full chokes is 60 yards.

Full Choke Tubes

Full chokes (F) and extra full chokes (XF) range in diameter from 0.685” to 0.670”.  These chokes are rarely used for waterfowl due to the fact it’s hard to hit birds up close and full chokes don’t pattern well with large steel shot. Full and extra full chokes can work well with heavier than lead shot and small pellets out to 60 yards, but it’s very situational.

Recommended Choke Tube Sizes for Ducks and Geese

The most recommended choke tube for both ducks and geese is the modified choke. It’s tight enough you can stretch shots to 50 yards, while still being open enough to hit birds in the decoys without destroying the meat.

Small Ducks

Teal, Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks. Light modified chokes are preferred for shots up to 40 yards.

Large Ducks

Mallards, Widgeon, Gadwall, Pintail. Modified chokes hold the pattern together for shots out to 45 yards effectively.

Small Geese

Snow Geese, Specklebellies, Lesser Canadas. Improved modified allows for tight patterns out to 50 yards with most large steel shot.

Large Geese

Greater Canadas. Light full chokes can give the knockdown power on large Canadas upwards of 13lbs at ranges of up to 60 yards.

Bottom Line

The effective range for waterfowl is dependent on choke tubes, ammo, weather, and size of the bird. Each of these factors needs to be taken into consideration before heading out to the field.

Improved cylinder is an open choke good for in close decoying shots with #4 shot out to 35 yards. Modified is the most popular waterfowl choke that works well for close and longer shots out to 45 yards.

Full chokes and extra full chokes have their place for long distance pass shooting up to 60 yards with smaller heavier than lead loads. The good news is that there’s a choke tube available that fits just about every hunting situation, but patterning them at the ranges you plan to hunt will let you know what works best.