HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base
Module 04 - SHOTGUNS 101
CHOKE TYPES
Shotguns have the following choke options:
‘Full choke’ is a choke setting that is best used for long range shooting. The pattern produced with a full choke would be too dense and too small for close range shooting but it’s perfect for shooting at game birds in flight. Remember: 40 yards is often the maximum effective range when firing with full choke.
‘Modified choke’ is a choke setting that is best used for medium range shooting (from a distance of 30-40 yards) and is often used for upland game.
‘Improved cylinder’ is a choke setting that is most suitable for shorter or close range shooting (from a distance of 20-30 yards). The pattern will become too thin to ensure hits at a longer range than this.
‘Cylinder bore’ is a choke setting that is best used for close range shooting (from a distance of 20-30 yards). The pattern will become too thin to ensure hits at a longer range than this.
Check This Out: It’s Like Working in a Ball Glove…
Hunting with a shotgun of any kind is like learning to throw and catch a baseball. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, the ‘wind up-and-throw’ procedure becomes increasingly smoother. But a slug will definitely do more damage than a baseball, so… that’s different.
