Originally Posted by
clarky711
What kind of choke have you found works well with the 00 buck? Thanks!
In general, I like a light modified or improved, something in the 0.715-0.720" range. I ran the numbers a few years ago and figured out that's the minimum diameter for 3 00buck pellets (in a triangle) to get out the muzzle at the same time without significantly deforming, and started trying out different chokes in that range, and sure enough, they gave the best patterns. Some modified chokes are a little too tight, some improved chokes are a little loose, just have to mic them out, or better yet, pattern them and see what your load likes.
I HAVE heard guys claiming that buffered 00buck loads are able to use Extra Full turkey chokes, I'm assuming there's something about the way the buffering helps hold the pellets so there's never more than 2 stacked side by side trying to exit. I've tried it with a few loads through my turkey chokes, but haven't had much time to really work on it to give a definitive answer whether it's better than non-buffered shot in a light modified. In that case, I'd suppose you'd need a 0.670" or larger choke (since 2 pellets would be 2 x 0.33" = 0.66"). I run a 0.680" choke that does well with buffered loads, whereas I got a few obvious fliers out of my 0.655" chokes.
I DEFINITELY noticed better performance from buffered loads out of a turkey choke compared to non-buffered loads out of a turkey choke, but whether they're better than non-buffered loads out of a light mod, I haven't had time to prove yet one way or the other.
Ultimately, you'll just have to try them out in your gun. Take 2 shots on a target through each choke, you'll have $30 into it and an afternoon's worth of fun.