What chokes are yall using primarily for duck hunting and while we are at it what size shot are yall using in said choke.

I use an improved or modified and #4s usually. Sometimes I use 9.5s in my 20ga

Joe he’s up there where the big ducks roam lol I’m with you for worries…I like a light modified actually for em

I use a modified with #3. But I’m 90% wood ducks down here.

If I was going on a hunt for big ducks, I would probably carry my 20 gauge and shoot 1 1/8 ounce of 9 1/2s

1-1/8oz of #5's out of an Imp Mod Jeb's out of my 20ga's. I use that same load for geese,big ducks, teal, etc

I’ve killed as many with IC as all the other chokes combined since steel shot became mandatory harder the shot the tighter it patterns. The heavier the shot the tighter it patterns. It’s why TSS patterns so tightly. Lead and bismuth being soft needs more constriction.


I use an old school pattern master in my modern A5 wicked wings. It acts like an IC choke but holds the flyer in as well or don’t seems.

I’ve shorts many numerous chokes thru my SBE and A5. Rhino, Carlson, Trulocks, Terrors, Kicks and a few others I’m sure.

Generally the longer the constriction the better along with a longer parallel section where it stabilizes the shot.

It’s kinda like picking nits and various loads will pattern differently but also similar for the most part.

I would pattern mostly to make sure your pattern is hitting where you’re pointing
I use seed pallet paper, it’s about 4’x4’ and pattern at 45 yds. Lot of patterns really change from 40 to 45 yards and a better gauge to go by
The. I’ll pattern at 30 yards to make sure it’s not too tight.

I caught a duck/goose set of Briley chokes on sale many years ago (labeled under Hunting Series now I think). The Duck is 0.15 (IC) and Goose is 0.25 (IM). Seems like I saw Pheasant listed as 0.20 (Mod).

I always use a full choke, but would use a modified more if I hunted the timber. Been shooting mostly kent fasteel lately. 2's for when I think it is just ducks. BB's when I know we are shooting mostly specs, and BBB when hunting honkers.

That is in a 12 gauge with 3 1/2 shells. But hey, at least I don't hunt with a 10 gauge anymore. haha

Lots of good info here fellas!

Full choke and 3” 4s. I like to hit em hard.

Shotgun chokes are condition dependent. Therefore, there really isn't a single choke that will work well for all conditions. Teal in the decoys and I would want a skeet tube and small shot. Pass shooting geese and a full choke may not be tight enough with the biggest shot I can throw at them. Because we don't always know the conditions prior to the hunt we have to make an educated guess. For years I shot improved cylinder in the early season and switched to modified for the late season. This worked well for me most of the time. This year I bought a Briley light modified choke and a case of Hevi XII #4 shot. Haven't wanted to change tubes or shot this year. The Heavy XII are super expensive but watching ducks fold up that flew away last year makes them worth it to me. To be honest the shot opportunities seem to diminish every year and I am determined to make the most of them. That case of shells will most likely last 2 years. In the past it wasn't uncommon to be on my 3rd case of shells by this time in the season.

Modified with 3” #4s. I do have a kicks High Flyer extended tube that I’ve never screwed into the barrel. May go pattern that at some point.

The patternmaster original is as close to an all around choke as you’ll get. It’s not really a choke but has studs that encapsulate the load within the wad for a shorter shot string. Others say it strips the wad from the shot for a shorter shot string. The shorter the shot string the better as it helps eliminate holes as the pattern hits the bird more simultaneously

If you wanna step it up Muller Chokes are said to be the best.

Used to use Terror chokes when shooting fast and heavy steel loads as they patterned the best at a distance and held a good pattern on out there.

Just curious as to how many go and pattern bet load and choke at several distances to see
No telling how many turkey loads and chokes I’ve patterned. 3 of us used to buy a case of different nitro loads way back in the 90s. We shot SBEs and had lot of work done to the guns but could interchange chokes and loads and compare.
I’d say several hundred duck and goose loads. It’s part of reloading for me.

There was a guy on alducks and I think went by faststeel. He could flat out shoot and did some guiding. He shot faststeel number 2 or 3 3.5 loads and killed consistently on out there. He shot sporting clays and knew his guns. I shot some clays with him and another guy one day.

I wish more shops offered that in store. The outpost in auburn use to let you try choke tubes and different shells behind the shop. If you paid by the shell or bring your own shells you’re wanting to shoot and match a choke to it and your gun. Was very handy to be able to know you had the best setup when you left.

I typically shoot a modified when I’m hunting. Been toying with the idea of going with an over under and just have a first and second shot option. Was trying to get a feel of most shoot factory or aftermarket. So many different options out there ported/ non, flush/ extended, wad stripping/ not. Not sure if it’s marketing strategy or makes a difference.

I bought a Muller decoy choke tube for my Nova. Supposed to be deadly to 35 yards which is perfect for the little duck hole I hunt. Pricey at $125 but you can shoot about anything through it from buckshot to steel etc. Saving up to buy a UFO and passing chokes to have the complete set.

How do they pattern. They’re supposed to be the cats meow

I’ve heard today hunting that the ufo is stupid crazy tight. Said it make a better turkey choke. Know several guys that shoot the passing and they love em.