Choke Tube Questions
#1

I've been waterfowl hunting a few times but have some questions for anyone willing to answer. Been using my 870 with the modified choke that came with it, but looking to upgrade to a good aftermarket choke that won't break the bank and is dependable. What does anyone recommend? Is a turkey tube too tight a pattern to be using for Waterfowl? I've been wondering if my jellyhead would be an ok tube, but don't wanna ruin it if steel is bad for it. Again, any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
#3
#4

When shooting steel you can sorta consider your choke to be one size tighter than it is; ie, a modified is like a full. Also BB is the largest you should shoot through a full, generally speaking.
Carlson's/Cabela's choke tubes....they're only 30 bucks. Now, I only have 1 of them, a full I use in an 870 for geese, but it shoots great patterns (85+%). I still wouldn't overlook your factory modified for waterfowl. You hafta put it on a patternboard to know how it's really shooting. My longest kill shots have been with a modified and BBBs.
You also hafta pick the right ammunition. The cheap stuff like winchester xpert steel is about all I use on close range ducks. Heck, I'd use 2 3/4" 3s on close range geese. But anyways, the cheap stuff has a lot of misshapen pear-shaped pellets that won't carry energy or pattern like more premium pellets will.
Bottom line is take the time to pattern your shotgun with different ammunition and chokes so you can figure out what'll give you success.
Carlson's/Cabela's choke tubes....they're only 30 bucks. Now, I only have 1 of them, a full I use in an 870 for geese, but it shoots great patterns (85+%). I still wouldn't overlook your factory modified for waterfowl. You hafta put it on a patternboard to know how it's really shooting. My longest kill shots have been with a modified and BBBs.
You also hafta pick the right ammunition. The cheap stuff like winchester xpert steel is about all I use on close range ducks. Heck, I'd use 2 3/4" 3s on close range geese. But anyways, the cheap stuff has a lot of misshapen pear-shaped pellets that won't carry energy or pattern like more premium pellets will.
Bottom line is take the time to pattern your shotgun with different ammunition and chokes so you can figure out what'll give you success.
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kenly, North Carolina
Posts: 370
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tuscaloosa, Al
Posts: 313

Why don't u try kicks high flyers they are awesom and they aren't that much but definitely do not use ur jellyhead for duck hunting shooting steel thru it. Very bad idea. And plus the high flyers are much cheaper then the patternmasters. Kicks are around $60
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 188
#9
Spike
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 13

pattern master, picked one up 3 years ago and have not taken it out of my 1187 since, i use it for geese, ducks, and turkeys. my dad and i thought carlsons were the best till we bought pattern masters. they also work well at trimming tree branches in spring when the leaves block the satellite dish.