Shotgun Chioke Question

[James B]

While I have done a world of Handgun and rifle shooting, my knowledge on shotgunning is rather limited. I have done a lot of Waterfowl hunting and always just used the full choke tube. My new shotgun has a 24 inch barrel and three choke tubes. My question is what choke tube would be best for Buckshot and also for slugs? My gun is a new Benelli 3 1/2 inch Camo Sporter. My main use will be home and camping defense and Duck and Goose hunting. Thanks a lot.

[Aught Six]

If you're using both buckshot and slugs, I'd go with an open cylinder or improved cylinder choke.

[DM]

No one can tell you, you have to buy the ammo, and actually TRY IT in YOUR gun!!!! Start with the open choke first, and see what shoots best for each brand and style of ammo you buy!!!!

Different brands and styles will probably shoot differently...

Drilling Man

[driftrider]

For home defense I'd suggest buckshot and Imp. Cyl.. Most shotguns I've encountered always shoot a more uniform pattern with some choke. Cyl. Bore means no choke at all. Imp. Cyl. has a small amount of choke. I wouldn't go with anything more than Imp. Cyl. though, since you're not likely to shoot at anything more than 10-15 yards away in a home defense application.

For "rifled" (foster style) slugs I'd say Cyl. Bore or Imp. Cyl.

For steel shot I'd pattern a number of loads starting with Modified (mod.) choke. Generally, a given choke tube that provides one level of choke for lead shot will shoot the next higher choke pattern with harder steel shot. By that I mean that a modified choke with lead will shoot like Imp. Mod. or full choke with steel shot. The choke tubes that came with my BPS are labeled with the amount of choke they provide with both lead and steel. They say something like "Lead IC/Steel Mod," "Lead Mod./Steel Full)" And I know that the Lead full choke tube warns against using it with steel shot. There are also full and extra full aftermarket waterfoul choke tubes available for all major brands as well.

Mike

[Vapodog]

I'd go with an open cylinder or improved cylinder choke.

yup...I agree

[James B]

Thanks for the info.