Which choke to use.

L

lab hunter

New member
I went pheasant hunting not to long ago and did pretty bad. The guy i was hunting with told me to change my choke to a full choke.(I had modified in at the time) Then I asked a guy at work about it and he told me to use improved Cylinder. Hes a big bird hunter travels across the states to hunt pheasant and waterfowl. I like to take quick shots. Before the bird even starts to fly. I didnt use the correct ammunition as I normally use, I used trap loads. I was just wanting to here other peoples opinions.
 
Misses are far more the shooter than any constriction....choke is seldom the problem but a great excuse.
Make haste slowly with IC and a medium weight of medium shot run at a medium speed.
Shoot some skeet.
Eat pheasant.
 
It all depends on how far the shots were. If your 45 yrds and in I would think a modified should be a good all round choke. Under about 30 and an IC would be in order.

5 shot is a good choice and will cover "most" pheasant hunting encounters.

A full choke can be difficult for a new wingshooter to hit a bird with up close. Stretch out that shot to 50yrds or better and it becomes nearly impossible for a new shotgunner to hit a bird. Especially a crossing shot.
 
Open and more open for me but its all shooter preference.
 
Many hunters use way too much choke. I use skeet or IC most of the time and modified is as tight as I go. Pheasants are big and have big bones. I use mainly 5 shot with 4's for backup.#6 is ok if that is what you can find.
 
lab hunter said:
I went pheasant hunting not to long ago and did pretty bad. The guy i was hunting with told me to change my choke to a full choke.(I had modified in at the time) Then I asked a guy at work about it and he told me to use improved Cylinder. Hes a big bird hunter travels across the states to hunt pheasant and waterfowl. I like to take quick shots. Before the bird even starts to fly. I didnt use the correct ammunition as I normally use, I used trap loads. I was just wanting to here other peoples opinions.
Click to expand...

Slow it down and focus on the bird.......you'll connect with about anything. ALL of my bad days( and there are plenty of them) are either the result of a bad mount:eek: or lack of focus.:)

Adjust the choke from there.
 
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90% of the time I've got 1 3/8 oz of 5's going through a modified choke. I used to get caught up in worrying about the right load for the right condition, early season versus late season, holding tight versus flushing wild. It became a lot simpler when I just say to hell with it and use my old stand by.

If I don't have a modified, it'll be an improved cylinder (always imp cyl and mod in a double gun). Once in a blue moon I'll use a full choke, unless its my fixed choke 20 guage Ithaca 37, then it is always a full choke. :)
 
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