Which choke for ducks?

[Huey]

What choke do you guys like for duck hunting?

I've always used IC. A buddy of mine swears by plain Cylinder choke. I might try that tomorrow. I haven't tried any of the duck specific chokes yet.

[Chef]

Steel patterns differently than Lead, so the rule O' Thumb is Choke down to get the preferred density. E.G. Modified = Full for Steel.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

Stick with what works. If you are accustomed to shooting your IC and your ducks fall, why change?

[Cheetah]

I used modified in my Rem 870. Killing machine for me. I agree with carpshooter, don't change what works for you.

[ClownColor]

IC guy here after target shooting with it and doing well. Go with what you pratice with.

Also, you should pattern it with different loads and shot as along with different manufactures.

Good article in MN outdoors this past month.

[Finlander]

I use an extended choke that is improved cylinder. Reason for the extended choke is the fact that choke has a longer parallel section at the end of the choke stabilizing the pellets and making a better-even pattern with no empty spots, or so called donut holes where there is no shot in the middle of the pattern that happens using 1550fps steel loads. I also limit my shots no farther than 35 yards with this choke because the shot spreads out to much to be effective beyond that reange.

I use Black Cloud for the final third shot in case I need to take one more shot beyond 35 yards. Improved cylinder works good for these tight shooting BC loads!

[Fins-n-feathers]

I used modified in my Rem 870. Killing machine for me. I agree with carpshooter, don't change what works for you.

+1 for the modified in the 870 - works great

[JustLOVEit]

Mod (extended) + 11-87 (super magnum) + 3 1/2 inch (cheapest shell you can find) shot size 4 = drops everything within 40 yards.

[Huey]

A cylinder choke is too "open". I used one Sat morning. It did work on close (10 -20 yds) woodies and mallards. Laater I dropped a mallard at about 25 yds, which tried to swim off after hitting the water. I could see how big the pattern was when I water swatted the fleeing bird. I switched back to IC after that.

[littlebear]

I started off opener with my factory modified choke, and missed a few easy shots. Removed that and put an aftermarket choke and it made a big difference. I shoot the skeet 2 choke, which throws an improved modified pattern with steel (between modified and full).

I should have known better, as I have patterned both tubes before, but thougth the IM would be too tight for early season. I was told factory choke tubes are marginal at best a few years ago, and understand no single gun will shoot any particular cartridge/load the same as your buddy's gun, but the aftermarket tube was hands down the best performer. It also didn't tear up the "in your face" birds as much as I expected it to.