Choke Tubes

[sniperdog]

I was wondering what choke tubes need to be avaialble at the various 3-gun matches? I noticed last year some of the better shooters were makning changes but I was afarid to ask what ones they were using. For those of you in the know what choke tubes should I have in my bag ?

[astephenson]

The course of fire will determine which choke is appropriate. For close up clays you'll want less constriction, for distant steel you'll want more constriction.

I usually just use a Light Modified Briley, but I've switched to a Full when the stage is predominantly steel at longer distances, or when there are no-shoots crowding targets. I've switched to Cylinder when it's a close stage with mostly clays.

I've found the Light Modified to be a good compromise, but you'll have to pattern your gun to know for sure.

[bigbrowndog]

I use LM for 95% of my shooting, for the rest I use cyl and once I used something tighter than LM.

trapr

[kellyn]

I run improved as a general rule. I probably use modified about 25% of the time. I always keep a full choke and have used it at several major matches. I really should have a cylinder too.

[lugnut]

I'm green on all ths too... but doesn't it depend on barrel length and loads as well?

[Dan Sierpina]

I'm green on all ths too... but doesn't it depend on barrel length and loads as well?

Dave, there are variables, which will make a bigger difference in the traditional shotgun sports. Barrel length probably has the least influence on chokes.

[twodownzero]

I never take the modified out of mine.

[Rob01]

You guys use the LM and M chokes with slugs too? I have been told not to use anything tighter than IC. Just wondering.

[EkuJustice]

LM and Mod are fine with slugs

[cksh8me]

I use an IC choke almost all the time. A switch to a Mod if the steel is set hard or long distances. When I use a mod choke I'll also have some spreaders with me for the clays.

[rz317]

LM is what stays in my gun almost all the time. In addition I carry 2 other chokes: CYL and Full, both of which only get used a couple times a season.

[warpspeed]

LM is what stays in my gun almost all the time. In addition I carry 2 other chokes: CYL and Full, both of which only get used a couple times a season.

I would agree 100% with that.

[Lee King]

Could we maybe add barrel length to the answers?

I'm running a stock 24" barrel with a LM.

[mike_pinto]

Barrel has very little to no effect on pattern. Barrel length affects speed, which impacts the kd power of shot.

21" for me with a LM for 90% at big matches. I have been making a diffusion work out to 25 yards with Remington heavy dove 7 1/2's locally. Had to put in the full one time last year.

M

[GorillaTactical]

Barrel has very little to no effect on pattern. Barrel length affects speed, which impacts the kd power of shot.

21" for me with a LM for 90% at big matches. I have been making a diffusion work out to 25 yards with Remington heavy dove 7 1/2's locally. Had to put in the full one time last year.

M

sorry to dig up this oldy, but is shooting a diffusion really worth it? I mean...do you really find yourself aiming less when u r running a diffusion. I understand it's beneficial for shooting flying clays, but for anything other than that....i just cant see it being practical, even for hoser stages. Maybe I just feel like I can't run through a stage aiming any less than I do already

[Les Snyder]

KurtM told me to loctite an IM in place, who am I to argue...

[Les Snyder]

sorry slip of fingers... LM not IM

[Graham Smith]

I notice that no one mentions adjustable chokes like the Truglo Titan. Seems like it would be cheaper and more convenient than a bag full of chokes.

[mike_pinto]

The diffusion really helps on hoser stages with a lot of static clays.

It works for me. Will it work for everyone else? I can't answer that. I shot LM for every shot at Rocky Mountain, so it is not for every situation.

M

[GrumpyGrizz]

I notice that no one mentions adjustable chokes like the Truglo Titan. Seems like it would be cheaper and more convenient than a bag full of chokes.

If I was shooting tactical, does an extended choke count as overall barrel length?

[sargenv]

I tend to use improved for everything, hunting or otherwise (steel shot is choked a bit differently and IC for lead is Modified for Steel) and choose to change up shot sizes and payload for distance or knockdown capability. I've thought about purchasing a light modified but have just not gotten around to it. I don't know if I'd notice much but my experience tends to be as mainly for fun and I've not been to anything major for some time.. I do know that a Polish plate rack makes cylinder bore ineffective at anything past about 12 yards even with #4 lead.. #4 buck and bigger tends to be quite effective though.. I had a stage in an all shotgun match with a double polish rack at 15 yards and there were a few ppl that ran out of ammo..

[Pro2AInPA]

I run a Briley LM for everything.

[Bear1142]

I predominantly run an IC, but I do keep a cyclinder, Mod, IM, and Full in the bag.

I rarely switch from IC, but at the Ozark match last weekend I did use both the Mod & IM chokes.

I like having options and they don't take up much space so I bring several when I travel.

Erik

[Sean Gaines]

since my bore size is different I have Briley thin wall chokes I have IC,LM,M,IM and of course diffusion, extended/knarled, spectrum chokes.

[Graham Smith]

I predominantly run an IC, but I do keep a cyclinder, Mod, IM, and Full in the bag.

The general consensus seems to be IC or LM with some others in the bag just in case. In trying to understand why someone would choose one over the other, I did some research and here is a chart I found that shows the constriction in inches:

.000 Cylinder

.005 Skeet

.010 Improved Cylinder

.015 Light Modified

.020 Modified

.025 Improved Modified

.030 Light Full

.035 Full

.045 Extra Full

.050 Super Full

From the Briley website, this chart shows the distance you would need to be at to obtain an efficient pattern. It doesn't mention the load used.

<20 Cylinder

22.5 Skeet

25 Improved Cylinder

30 Light Modified

32.5 Modified

35 Improved Modified

37.5 Light Full

40+ Full and Extra Full

On the assumption that you would want to choose the choke that would give you the best pattern for what you are shooting at, I'm going to assume that the predominance of IC and LM indicates that most shots are going to be in the 25 - 30 yd range. I'm going to assume that if there are a certain percentage of shots under 25yds, one would lean toward the IC and if there were a certain percentage of shots over 30yds, one would lean toward the LM.

All this is by way of saying, the choice of choke really depends on the courses a person normally encounters and just how tight that person likes to group their shot. I rather expect that for a novice like me, having an IC and a Modified would pretty much handle anything we were likely to encounter.

Disclaimer: At this point, I've got a lot to learn and am trying very hard to sort through the advice intended for medium to advanced shooters and that intended for novices. Novices often need fewer choices.

For those who understand this, please feel free to tell me everything I've gotten wrong here.