Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: BD1 on March 04, 2025, 06:54:32 PM
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So just wondering what choke tube you like the best. Yes I know it is situational but just wondering. Favorite manufacturer/model? Favorite size (situation dependent)? Just a light discussion on one of the tools of the trade.
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I use the ones that came with my Versamax. Haven’t had any complaints. Well, there are some complaints about my shooting sometimes, but that’s a different story.
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For ducks I shoot an extended range ported tube from hevi-shot same for geese. For turkey I use a carlson's tss turkey choke. Everything else is a factory modified.
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Modified Kicks High Flyer patterns the best for me out of my versamax. My son gets great patterns with an Avise Gun Works IM out of his SX4.
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Patternmaster code black duck has been great on my SX4.
Maybe patterns a little too tight when they’re feet down at 10yards (ask @metlhead) haha
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Poof!
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Situation dependent and broad. I use Muller, Carleson, Comp-N-Choke, Truelock, Rem Choke, Briley, Win Choke and others depends on what I'm shooting.
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Man, back east they do these things called Turkey shoots. Basically competitions to see who can get the most pellets in a pie plate. LED to a lot of local gun smiths making custom chokes. A good family friend of ours still to this day makes some of the most impressive full chokes I’ve ever seen. Wish they had those out here, they were always fun. Prizes were usually just food items like smoked hams, bacon, and such from local farms.
Anywho, personally I love my stock beretta chokes, they get the job done. I’ve been know to sling some 00 buck through a extra full kicks buck kicker, and steel through a modified kicks high flyer.
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There is a super cool video series on YouTube by a channel called Surviving Duck Season. There are 5 videos in the series about chokes from about 2 years ago, and if you have time, you should watch them. It may not influence your decision on which brand is best, but it is just cool in my mind and you can piece together some decent conclusions.
Here is one of the videos:
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Factory modified in both 20s I shoot. Patterned many times and keep a large and very even pattern at 35yds. It has very good density for the shot combo I use. Same choke pushed that same pattern to 42yds with BOSS 5s. Could prolly restrict the bismuth a bit more for extra yardage but seldom shoot that far and those normal close ups would be tough for me with a small pattern.
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Patternmaster code black duck has been great on my SX4.
Maybe patterns a little too tight when they’re feet down at 10yards (ask @metlhead) haha
I shoot the Code Black Turkey in spring. Great chokes, American made. :tup:
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My waterfowl shotgun patterns well with the Carlson Delta Waterfowl mid-range .710 choke. Seems to do me well at a variety of ranges. Pass shooting geese, or ducks over decoys. 1 1/4 or 1 3/8 oz of BB using the .710 is a good choke/ammo combo that works well for me.
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Favorite choke?
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I like the Carson LR choke. I've noticed a marked difference in hitting vs. dropping birds with the tighter constriction. It doesn't work with all loads but it does on more than one.
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I killed many ducks with the factory mod that was rusted into my Benelli. Finally sent it to Briely (sp) and they cut it out for me.
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Factory modified or IM modified are good options and help you save hundreds or thousands on chokes in my case.
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I run mid range Carlson chokes in both my guns. Should probably take some time and do a better job patterning them with different options and at different distances though.
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Given the proper constriction all of my chokes work well and similarly. I have Browning, Benelli, Remington, Winchester, Carlson's, Briley, Trulock and more. The only thing that I would say is universally beneficial is having extended tubes. They protect the end of the barrel. I can easily see what constriction I have installed. I can also make sure they are tight using just my fingertips. That being said I have quite a few Trulocks. They offer a huge variety of constriction. They are super strong and consistent. Plus they are reasonably priced.
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I use Carlson mid or short range, both pattern noticeably better than factory for me and as mentioned it's easier to confirm what you have in there and that it's tight with an extended choke.
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I’ve been running mostly the Carlson long range. Mid range if I’m expecting closer shots like grouse hunting