Shotguns are a convenient tool for hunters and sport shooters as well. One of the major things which makes them more valuable is their choke tubes. Choke lines are composed to improve the pattern of the shot that is
A shooter can improve firing accuracy or distance by developing the small tube in the cylinder’s front. Several choke tube types come with different qualities and purposes, like modified choke, cylinder choke, improved choke, and full choke.
Comparison Table
For a detailed look at the steel yardage & lead yardage covered by the choke tubes, refer to the comparison table.
CHOKE |
STEEL YARDAGE |
LEAD YARDAGE |
---|---|---|
Cylinder |
0-20 |
0-15 |
Skeet |
10-30 |
5-20 |
IC |
15-30 |
10-25 |
LM |
20-35 |
15-30 |
MOD |
25-45 |
20-35 |
IM |
30-50 |
25-40 |
Full |
40+ |
30-45 |
Cylinder choke tubes come with the freest flight patterns and offer a viable firing range that is the most precise.
Open choke tubes are highly recommended to use for buckshot choke and birdshot at a short distance or range. Moreover, They deliver a broad pattern that kills targets at short ranges. The cylinder choke tube works fine at 15-25 yards.
Shotgun choke intends to control pattern diameter at the different yards. Don’t confuse it; look at the shotgun choke restriction table below to know more about the Diameter Difference between shotgun choke and bore.
With the shotgun choke, patterns are held together less tightly, so they are faster to produce.
SHOTGUN CHOKE |
SHOTGUN CHOKE RESTRICTION (Diameter Difference between shotgun choke and bore) |
YARDAGE |
---|---|---|
Cylinder |
0 |
<20 |
Skeet |
.005 of an inch |
22.5 |
Improved Cylinder |
.010 |
25 |
Light Modified |
.015 |
30 |
Modified |
.020 |
32.5 |
Improved Modified |
.025 |
35 |
Light Full |
.030 |
37.5 |
Full |
.035 |
40 or more |
Extra Full |
.040 |
40 or more |
These charts are only for general comparison, and these measurements are only for guide purposes. There are a lot of factors that matter how each choke will pattern. The measured internal bore is only one factor and always best to pattern the firearm. Choke type, brand, and shotshell define the optimal combination.
Choke |
20 Yards |
30 Yards |
40 Yards |
---|---|---|---|
Cylinder |
80% |
60% |
40% |
Skeet |
92% |
72% |
50% |
Improved Cylinder |
100% |
77% |
55% |
Modified |
100% |
83% |
60% |
Improved Modified |
100% |
91% |
65% |
Full |
100% |
100% |
70% |
Some other chokes are specialised chokes to use in specific circumstances, like using a skeet choke during skeet shooting and a turkey choke during turkey hunting. Before selecting the choke, check out the patterning range to know the exact range and pattern of the particular choke you will choose.
Some other factors can affect how to choke tube fires, just like Ammunition types.
The constriction level inside a choke is the central part that should make every shooter know as some chokes come in different styles such as external and ported. And all these different styles of choke can affect a choke’s pattern, range, and sound.
Steel shot offers the shot in a more tightener pattern than lead shot, and the Rifled chokes will amazingly change the way of sabot slug travels.
So before choosing a choke, always consider all these aspects, size, Choke Constriction Based on Distance to get the perfect shot. As mentioned earlier, the table shows steel yardage, lead yardage, shotgun choke restriction, and average % of pellets with standard loads to make understanding easier for all shooters. For each type of ammunition, we recommend patterning the chokes and gun at different distances.
For Tungsten, Steel shot, or other metal-alloy shot, never use a tighter choke than Modified as professionals highly recommend it.
There you have all about the choke tube size and its other specifications. For further information or any suggestion, share your valuable feedback in the comment section.

He has been fishing and hunting for the last 40 years. His favourite animal to hunt is a lion using his bow. he loves to write and share his knowledge gathered during life.
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