Frequently Asked Questions about Chokes
What is a shotgun choke?
What are shotgun patterns?
Do you have samples of choke patterns; choke pattern photographs?
What chokes do I use with steel, bismuth or tungsten alloy shot?
What are the tiny notches on the end of some chokes?
What type of chokes does Beretta use?
What type of chokes does Benelli use?
Do you have a distributors list?
What is a shotgun choke?
A shotgun choke is simply a tapered constriction of the gun's bore at the muzzle end. The length of this constriction varies between the different shotgun makers but usually is not less than 1.5 nor more than 3 inches. This constriction is normally from .005-.045 (thousandths) of an inch, but in the case of special purpose tubes, it can be as much as .100 (thousandths) under bore size. With screw in chokes you can very easily change the degree of constriction by simply changing the choke. This allows the use of one shotgun for almost all shooting activities.
What are shotgun patterns?
Patterns are normally expressed with a name such as improved cylinder or as a percentage such as 50%. The patterns are always assumed to be measured at a distance of 40 yards. The exceptions to this are cylinder bore and skeet 1 chokes in all gauges and .410 bore shotguns in all choke sizes. These are measured at a distance of 25 yards. The following chart can be used as a general guide.
|
Name
|
#%
|
Constriction
|
|
Cylinder Bore
|
40
|
.000
|
|
Skeet 1
|
50
|
.005
|
|
Improved Cylinder
|
50
|
.010
|
|
Skeet 2
|
55
|
.015
|
|
Modified
|
60
|
.020
|
|
Improved Modified
|
63
|
.025
|
|
Full
|
65
|
.030
|
|
Extra Full
|
68
|
.040
|
|
Super Full
|
70
|
.045
|
|
Turkey
|
70+
|
.045+
|
The above chart is based on using premium field loads with #8 shot. Generally the larger size of shot you use the less degree of choke is needed to get an equivalent size pattern. High velocity or magnum loads normally do not pattern as well as lighter loads. The same load by different ammunition manufacturers may not pattern the same. As you can see, there are many things that can cause a shotgun to shoot a different pattern with the same choke constriction. Most chokes will shoot a pattern reasonably close to the marked size, but the only way to be absolutely sure of what your gun is doing is to "pattern" it. Use the loads you plan to shoot and try different chokes to get the pattern you want.
What chokes do I use with steel, bismuth or tungsten alloy shot?
Steel Shot
- As a general rule when switching from lead to steel shot you would use a choke with one full degree less constriction.
- If you want a full pattern with steel use a modified choke.
- If you want a modified pattern with steel use an improved cylinder choke.
- If you want an improved cylinder pattern with steel use a cylinder or skeet choke.
- Do not use any choke tighter than modified constriction with steel shot unless the choke is specifically marked for use with steel shot.
Bismuth Shot
- Use the same choke you would use with the appropriate size of lead shot.
Tungsten Alloy Shot
- There are several different alloys available. These can vary to a large degree in their level of hardness. When using factory chokes I suggest you use nothing tighter than full choke unless it is approved for tungsten shot.
As a general rule most Trulock chokes are rated for Hevi Shot, Hevi 13, Federal Heavyweight and Winchester Hi Density tungsten alloys.
What are the tiny notches on the end of some chokes?
They identify the degree of the choke. See our Choke identification page for more information.
What type of chokes does Beretta use?
Beretta uses four different chokes, Mobil, Optima, Optima Plus, and Optima HP. See our Choke identification page for more details.
What type of chokes does Benelli use?
Benelli uses three different chokes, Mobil, Crio, and Crio Plus. See our Choke identification page for more information
Do you have choke pattern photograph samples?
 |
Browning Invector Plus
Factory Full/Steel Choke
This choke is designated by Browning as "Full for Steel"
#2 steel shot
64% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Browning Invector Plus
Extended Precision Hunter Modified Choke
#2 steel shot
91% at 40 yards
|
 |
Browning Invector Plus
Factory Modified Choke
#8 lead shot
41% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Browning Invector Plus
Extended Precision Hunter Modified Choke
#8 lead shot
67% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Precision Hunter
Extended Improved Cylinder
Beretta/Benelli style
Fired from a Franchi 712
#8 lead shot
52% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Precision Hunter
Extended Modified
Beretta/Benelli style
Fired from a Franchi 712
#8 lead shot
61% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Precision Hunter
Extended Full
Beretta/Benelli style
Fired from a Franchi 712
#8 lead shot
71% at 40 yards
|
 |
Trulock Pattern Plus
Flush Modified
Browning Invector Plus style
Fired from a Browning BPS
#2 steel shot
77% at 40 yards
|
Do you have a distributors list?
| Iowa |
|
Brownells
200 South Front Street
Montezuma IA. 50171
Order: (800) 741-0015
www.brownells.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Kentucky |
|
Whittaker Guns
6976 W. Louisville Lane
Owensboro KY. 42301
Phone: (270) 229-0140
Fax: (270) 229-9139
www.whittakerguns.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Louisiana |
|
Sports South
P.O. Box 51367
Shreveport LA. 71135-1367
Toll free: (800) 388-3845
www.sportssouthinc.com
Wholesale Only
|
| Missouri |
|
Midway USA
5875 West Van Horn Tavern Road
Columbia MO. 65203-9274
Toll free: (800) 243-3220
CustomerService@midwayusa.com
www.midwayusa.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
|
Able Ammo
1603 11th St.
Hunstville, TX 77340
Toll free: (800) 720-3275
www.ableammo.com
Wholesale/Retail
Carter's Country
11886 Wilcrest
Houston, TX 77031
Phone: (281) 879-1466
www.carterscountry.net
Wholesale/Retail
Carter's Country
8927 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 461-1844
www.carterscountry.net
Wholesale/Retail
Carter's Country
2120 Shaver
Pasadena, TX 77502
Phone: (713) 475-2222
www.carterscountry.net
Wholesale/Retail
Carter's Country
6310 Treaschwig Road
Spring, TX 77373
Phone: (281) 443-8393
www.carterscountry.net
Wholesale/Retail
NOTE: This location has a public shooting range.
|
|
Canadian Distributors:
| Ontario |
|
Global Technologies
682 Glen Forrest Blvd.
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 4K6
Phone: (519) 884-9392
jclosen224@rogers.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Quebec |
|
Londero Sports
349 BLV DU Seminaire N.
St. Jean Sur Richelien
Quebec Canada J3B8C5
Toll free (877) 349-2332
www.arcinter.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
International Distributors:
| Australia |
|
Fishing and Outdoor World
RSL Building 27 Cavenagh St.
Darwin, NT 0800
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Cyprus |
|
SKB Chokes
Stochos Hunting Equipment Ltd.
Larnakos Ave. 57 A-B
Aglantzia, Nocisia 2101
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Finland |
|
Eräliike Riistamaa
Oravannahkatori 1
FI-02120 Espoo
Finland
Phone: +358-9-4110 1290
amaa@riistamaa.fi
Wholesale/Retail
|
| New Zealand |
|
New Zealand Ammunition Company, Ltd.
10/1 Nicolaus Street
Upper Hutt
Wholesale/Retail
|
| Romania |
|
Romania Hunter Club
Mocanu Adrian
Bucharest - Romania
0723619968
www.hunterclub.ro
Wholesale/Retail
|
| United Kingdom |
|
Garlands
Raddle Lane, Edingale
NR. Tamworth Staffs
B79 9JR UK
james.garland@garlands.uk.com
Wholesale/Retail
|
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