I shoot a good ole 1187. Most of my waterfowling is Canadian geese in fields some over water and river ducks (buffle head, bluebilletc...) out of a boat blind. Obviously there a million different chokes and shells on the market these days.

What experiences have you all had???

I'm obviously looking for a choke and shell combo for the geese and a diffent combo for the ducks.

Any suggestions or experience would be great. I've a used little of everything but am really trying to nail it down this year.

If you are shooting birds committed to the decoys... an Improved Cylender and 1 1/8 or 1 1/4oz of steel #2s is all you'll ever need.

It you start taking longer shots at geese, over 35 yards or so... you'll want BBs and probably a modified choke.

If you are pass shooting geese... BBs, BBBs, or some folks even use T's. Improved Mod choking helps.

All this assuming you don't want to pay $3 a shell for hevi-shot.

I like carlson's extended chokes, i'll shoot a mid range if they are within 40yds, and if you can't get them with in that range, I use the long range, its good well beyond that, as for shells, I shoot 3" #2's if its just ducks, and 31/2" BB for geese, or if were hunting both at the same time.

Ive learned not to be cheap when it comes to goose loads, spend the money and buy hevi-shot or tungsten. They are worth it, Ive had WAY to many geese fly away laughing after I shot their armor plated bodies with lame steel only to have it bounce off them. Tungsten however takes them right out of the air. As far as ducks go I like to shoot a modified choke and 3in steel 2s work magically. If I am shooting through brush I will throw in some 3 inchBBs to help knock them down.

the past couple of yrs ive been shootin 2's-BB Kent Fast Steel through a mod choke but i jus bought a Pattern Master Ext. range and it hammers em!!

I've been asking around about this subject, and ive got a lot of answers similar to this one.

My experiences have led me to shoot a modified choke with #2s. I have a pure gold choke that patterns excellent for my comfort zone: 30-35 yards. It can stretch out to 40 in my 11-87, but im not all that comfortable with a shot that far. My buddy has a patternmaster that is will really reach out at longer distances.

I shoot a remington 11-87 as of this year (bad shoulder) after shooting a 870 for 41 years straight I finally had to go to a 11-87..I have always shot # 3's over deks #2's pass shooting.

I shoot an SP-10 with a patternmaster choke and kent faststeel. I will never shoot anything else for geese and ducks unless i end up shooting somethinf better. Which is doubtful.

I shoot PatternMaster choke with Winchester Xpert shells. 4 shot for ducks and BB for geese

As Swampcollie said, if the birds are decoying well, an IC choke tube will work fine. Carlson and Riley, among others, make good chokes. I like 1 1/4 oz loads. #2's will work for everything. If you want to use a different shell for ducks vs geese, I like #3's with Ducks and #1's for Geese.

For passing shots, I would use a tighter choke. You can go with a modified choke or play around with some of the other gadgets on the market. The three that look good to me are Terror Choke Tubes, Patternmaster and Wad Wizard.

If your decoy set up is right on Canada's, you should be able to get away with a good hunt with the factory IC choke tube and some good loads. The problem with putting money into a new choke is once you get into waterfowling, you'll end up buying a new gun anyways

Good luck.