My personal preference are regular full chokes with #4's. I've used Federal loads in recent years with good luck. In my opinion with a 3 1/2" shell you have alot of pellets, so why not go bigger on the shot size? As for why I don't like "extra full" chokes and the like..I just feel it leaves less room for error on fast moving shots at closer distances where the pattern is extremely tight. I've shot birds well past 40 yards several times with a regular full choke.