I've noticed that with the advent of the denser loads, most manufacturers still produce chokes with modest full constrictions (0.665-0.675).

I've read numerous articles that indicate that slightly less constriction will give a more even pattern at longer distances, akin to waterfowl hunting.

Carlson manufacturers most of their long range chokes with constrictions above 0.690. However, Rhino chokes typically run from 0.660 to 0.675...

What do you guys think, could we get better patterns with high-velocity heavy loads at longer distances, with less constricted chokes?

S&R

I have basically always shot the tightest choke I could find until I bought a hasting .655 for my remington 870 and my pattern was all over the place. I recently bought a mossberg and I am shooting the factory xtra full turkey choke wich I believe is a .685 or .690. Even though mossbergs are backbored I thought that the choke would be to open but I am now getting the best patterns I have ever got at 40 yards so I think it helps to have a choke that is a little open but you would't want to go tofar I don't think. I guess I need to try the regular full choke and see what it will do.

A normal 12 gauge barrel measures about .724 thousands of an inch. By comparison, a factory full choke squeezes down the muzzle to about .700 of an inch. The normal way to get tighter patterns is to reduce the choke size even more. For example, many popular turkey guns come equipped with chokes that measure .665, and shoot turkey loads of No. 5 or 6 shot extremely tight.
National Wild Turkey Federation Special Events Coordinator Rhett Simmons, who runs the NWTF's annual Turkey Shoot and Outdoor Connection Inc., World Wild Turkey Still Target Championship—one of the biggest sporting clays and still-target competitions in the country—knows how important a proper choke can be. "Be careful not to throw too much choke on your gun. Too much constriction can create ragged patterns that can leave large voids between pellets. Voids in the pattern can lead to shots that miss the vitals."
A good place to start with a standard size 12-gauge barrel is with a .660 tube. Back-bored barrels usually do well with chokes that measure around .680 thousands of an inch. If you are interested in a particular choke, call the manufacturer or speak to your local gunsmith about their recommendations before making a purchase (NWTF's Turkey Shoppe at www.nwtf.org or 800-THE-NWTF offers a selection of choke tubes to fit most any shotgun). Then go out and use the choke tube with a variety of load sizes and even brands of shells. Odds are you will find one that makes a good combination for your gun.

I have found that shooting a more open choke will help long range performance,as well as sometimes over all performance.

Also reducing the amount of shot going through a tight choke will do the same thing.There's less to squeeze through the choke.When you go to the HV shells you are dropping shot weight.Like the 3.5" Win XX loads are 2 1/4oz..and the 3.5" Win HV loads are 2oz.They may also use a different powder or shot cup in these HV loads...I'm not sure,but I'm suremost of the new found speed comes from dropping the load size.

Rhino's can go tight because they are sized for primarily smaller shot.60% of the 4x5x7 nitro loads are #7's...so you can use a tighter choke.

I have also found out the same thing goes for buckshot.I get my best patterns at longer distances with Win 3.5" 00 buck(18 pellets)..with a Modified choke.I was suprised that it did better than a full choke,but it makes sense.You can only squeeze so much through a choke.When the shot size is too big,or too many come through at once they will squeeze down tight,and it will cause some of the pellets to flatside(I'm talking lead).Then you'll blow the pattern.Hevi doesn't compress as well as lead,but it will still blow the pattern if thereis too much trying to go through a tight choke,and that's why for a 12ga with standard barrel(not overbored,or back bored),most choke manufacturers recommend a .675 choke constriction for hevi shot.

I say it's worth a try to pattern your gun with a looser choke.

Ranchhand my 870 3'' is totally different as far as buchshot goes. At 40 yards with 000 and a rhino .660 it puts all 9 in a 4'' circle and 00 all pellets in about a 10 inch circle, #1 buch all pellets in about a 2 foot circle and #4 buck in hell half of them didn't even hit the sheet of news paper. When I was shooting I figured the 4 buck would have done the best but it didn't. I'm not much on shooting deer with buck shot so I really don't know if the 000 and 00 patterns are considered tight but I thought they were very tight Oh well back to turkey hunting!!!

12 gauge 835® Ulti-Mag® models feature ported and overbored barrels for superior shot pattern performance and reduced felt recoil.
835® Overbore (.775) vs. Standard 12 gauge bore (.731)
Ulti-Mag® barrel (left) is overbored to 10 gauge dimensions.

M835 Replacement Shotgun Choke Tubes


These chokes are manufactured from 17-4 heat treated stainless steel. Steel and lead shot may be used in these chokes.
Chokes only fit 12 ga. Model 835 Ulti-Mag Shotgun. Do not use steel shot with Turkey Choke Tubes.
PRICE: $22.95










[font="verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][/color]12 GA REPLACEMENT FLUSH MOUNT[/color]


ITEM
CONST


Cyl
#19951
.774







Skeet
#19952
.767







I.C.
#19953
.760







Modified
#19954
.743







Imp.Mod.
#19955
.735







Full
#19956
.727







X-Full
#19957
.710







Turkey
#19958
.680