Question regarding best choke for squirrel:

Set-up is a 20 gauge Remington 870 Express Magnum with interchangable chokes. I have all the chokes made for this gun, but I have heard different opinions on what choke and shot sizes to use.

Some folks say Mod. Choke with #6 shot, others say that #6 is too much shot and that the Mod. spreads out too much and will damage too much meat.

The others say use full choke with #4 shot and aim for the front of the body (head area) and that way too much meat will not be lost.

I see advantages to both - full choke seems like longer shots are possible - possibly up to 40 yards at best.

However, I have always hunted with a single shot Stevens 20ga Mod. Choke with #6 - no problems (just pellets in meat at times).

with all this being said - what would you use?

For squirrels I'd go with a full choke regardless of shot size. They're tough and usually partially hidden. You can use all the pellets on target that you can get. Back when I hunted squirrels with a shotgun I used mostly 6's (more pellets).

I would use the larger #4 shot for these facts:-they are larger,thus having more individual pellet energy,the pellets that do hit will penetrate deeper,true-there are less pellets than with #6,what that transalates to is less pellets in meat/less bloodshot meat,and having more individual pellet energy-will extend range of clean kill assuming you stay within your effective pattern range.

ttt

I too was thinking of a full choke and using #4 - but some argue that #4 will push hair into meat.

I am fairly sure I am going with full choke, but still not sure on shot sizes.