Best choke for duck hunting?

[waxworm09]

I'm going out for the first time tomorrow in 3 years. I'm trying to decide which choke to use, improved cylinder or modified? Also I just picked up a box of federal speed shok 3" 3 shot. Anyone have any reviews on these shells? I didn't want to spend over 12$ a box so there were only a couple options. I am mostly a jump shooter I guess you would say, I hunt 3 different sloughs, sneak through the cat tails and blast whatever takes off, no decoys or waiting for them. Not sure if that makes a difference in shot and choke size, but looking for a little input, thanks!

[fishuhalik]

I'd go with the mod. That's all I shoot

[dan z]

If your strictly a jump shooter I'd go with improved as your shots are pretty close. I use a Carlson improved modified extented and I hunt over decoys with usually the farthest shot bring 35 yds.

[Gordie]

mod

[chevyracin8k]

Go with the mod.. Speed shok shells are the best shell for the price. Anyone that says they are "junk" can pi$$ up a rope. Have fun, good luck.

[Kettle]

Mod will suit you just fine

Kettle

[trebby01]

mod will work great. its all I use for jump shooting decoy hunting and pass shooting. switched from xperts to federal last year will never go back to xperts

[EyeChsr]

If its an older gun I would use a mod, but the super x pump and sx3 made by Winchester the manual says use a improved with steel, shoots steel shot like a mod.

[Todd Caswell]

Best thing to do is go pattern your gun, you will be amazed at how different shells pattern with different chokes..

[Ufatz]

Am constantly puzzled by a couple things: first, the number of people who are simply lousy shots, thus condemning hundreds of birds to die slow deaths while they lay wounded in the swamp. The ammunition makers however love those who do not take the time to learn how to shoot a shotgun well, And, secondly, the number of hunters who NEVER pattern their shotgun to actually SEE how it shoots with various loads. You can spend endless hours blabbing away on the internet about which pattern and best load and what if and what you SHOULD be doing is spending an hour or so SEEING how your shotgun shoots.

Thought I'd jump in and say my piece.

Carry on boys.

[chad austin]

The ammunition makers however love those who do not take the time to learn how to shoot a shotgun well

That is a ridiculous statement. Ammunition manufactures spend A LOT of time making sure that loads pattern correctly. They also donate a lot of money to different shooting non-profits to ensure the future of shooting sports. What ammunition manufactures love is successful hunters/sport shooters who do not become frustrated, continue to use their product and keep hunting/shooting.

[Ufatz]

Are we perhaps a little to literal and a little too angry? Ha Ha Ha!

[leech~~]

Am constantly puzzled by a couple things: first, the number of people who are simply lousy shots, thus condemning hundreds of birds to die slow deaths while they lay wounded in the swamp. The ammunition makers however love those who do not take the time to learn how to shoot a shotgun well, And, secondly, the number of hunters who NEVER pattern their shotgun to actually SEE how it shoots with various loads. You can spend endless hours blabbing away on the internet about which pattern and best load and what if and what you SHOULD be doing is spending an hour or so SEEING how your shotgun shoots.

Thought I'd jump in and say my piece.

Carry on boys.

Ufatz, do you live by yourself in a little shack in the middle of no where or something? Second post on how people are Duck hunting wrong!

Lighten up, there are younger people still trying to learn what your many years of great knowledge has thought you!

[monstermoose78]

My dad and I both are not good shots at flying targets, but you know I still love going duck hunting. Who cares if I cant hit the board side of a barn. I have tried for many years and still only hit about 3 ducks per box on a good day and I am fine with that. I don't need to kill every duck I shoot at. We do not sky bust ducks either, most are within 30 yards coming in to land. We both look at each other and laugh and joke that the ducks just keep coming back to see how many shells we can waste on them. Great times in the field with my dad will last my life time and his. Don't be jealous that I can't hit a duck.

[chad austin]

Not at all, just stating the facts.

[smackem33]

IC is what's in my super black eagle. I will neverchange it

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Aparently if your a poor shot you should stop hunting until you have spent countless hours at the range perfecting your shot? People come on here looking for good solid advice on a particular question and then people like you (Ufatz)have to chime in with your holier than thou smart aleck comments obviously intended to stir the pot and get on people nerves. If you sir are the best shot in the world and spend or have spent countless hours learning how to shoot and not ever miss then perhaps,(if you never have) you should better serve people who can't and or upcoming new shooters in your area by joining a gun club and teach people or help with a class for kids learning to shoot instead of coming on here trying to puff up your chest and undermine people because "they can't shoot". In the words of Ron White..."Next time YOU have a thought......Just let it go"

[TylerS]

I've duck hunted for longer than I care to admit, and my shooting was still marginal at best until couple years ago. I was continually crippling birds despite my best efforts. So I made a conscience decision: Buy an aftermarket choke tube with a very tight pattern. Either I hit a duck and it dies, or I miss completely.

My cripple rate has gone down markedly, and I've honestly turned into a better shooter. Don't ask me why because it would seem counterintuitive, but by using this setup I've actually improved my shooting.

[brittman]

What Todd said. Take time and pattern your gun. It maybe interesting not only to see the pattern, but where the center of the pattern hits vs where you aim.

I shoot mostly IC including geese to 50 - 60 yards. Most shots are 20 - 35 yards out. #2 and #3 for ducks. BB and BBB for geese. I have found that the shotshell wads and steel shot combine for a rather tight pattern even on midrange quality Federal steel loads.

Lose very few birds because of the dog and how we set up the birds to land. Rarely (if ever) set up where birds will drop in thick cattails.

I found when using more restrictive chokes, including an after market choke that I was making too many breasts inedible.

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

I found when using more restrictive chokes, including an after market choke that I was making too many breasts inedible.

Oh goodness.... now you just gave Ufatz something else to bich about..... Shooters that are TOO good and wrecking the precious resource by wasting birds that are shot to chit.

[Ufatz]

What is it with you guys!? I object to poor shooting first, because there is no reason to be a lousy shot and, second, it ends up with crippled birds all over the swamp. I got into a discussion about patterning your shotgun hoping it would lead somebody into DOING it and seeing what their gun and various loads do.

I don't really give a rats adz how you hunt as long as it's legal (because game law violators are CHEATING other hunters) and shows respect for the quarry.

My crack about the ammo makers being tickled by lousy shooters simply implied that the more lousy shooters blaze away the more ammo they have to buy! That's all it was-just a quip. Not to be taken too seriously fellas.

I do not live in a shack. It is more a mud hut right on the banks of an obscure river.

Look around this board and others and SEE the numbers of young and inexperienced hunters asking for guidance. Then tell me that an occasional suggestion on how to improve things is misplaced and obnoxious.

Sometimes I'd swear some of you boys don't like me that much. Ha Ha Ha!

[jjz]

What ufatz says is true. If u want to know what your gun does best with pattern it! For a given choke you can have a variety of reults depending on the load used. With out taking time to pattern whatever loads you plan to use it leads to using hunting to determine what works best, which does mean birds suffering the learning curve.

Just my 2 cents

[waxworm09]

This ufatz character sounds nuts! I like it though, calling out everyone on a message board, talking about lousy shooters. Then in another post started by himself, had proof of illegal hunters and instead of calling tip, he complained on here. Also he makes himself out to be a wise old duck hunter, yet said he saw 0 ducks on opener?!?! Carry on ufatz, love your posts so far! Very entertaining!

[hockeybc69]

Quote:

Sometimes I'd swear some of you boys don't like me that much. Ha Ha Ha!

First sensible thing I think you have ever posted on this site to be quite honest.

[Ufatz]

Awwwwww.....c'mon now. The FIRST sensible thing I've posted? Man, you are a harsh and judgmental young fella.