Aside from the likelihood of an after market choke throwing a more consistent pattern, and the extended choke being a longer tube that should be even more consistent, what are the pros and cons of goin to an extended choke over the standard flush choke?

After recently ruining a barrel from trying to get a flush choke unstuck I will be using extended chokes only so that if one gets a little stuck I can put a wrench on it at least. The worst part was I took very good care of that gun as far as greasing the chokes every couple weeks to prevent that from happening. It was a new Browning A5 and from what a couple gunsmiths told me that is super common with those guns.

Along with what JP and you noted, I like an extended choke to add an inch or two to the barrel length (especially on 26" barrel). Seems to help my follow through, and anything to get the muzzle blast further from the blind is a good thing for both me and my blindmates.

For steel shot I like extended for a couple of reasons. First, it protects the end of the barrel. Second, steel doesn't compress like lead so *theoretically* the longer the choke (and slower the shot takes to get to the constriction point) the better it will pattern.

And a ported extended choke tube should reduce recoil like a muzzle break.

And you'd be wrong

I’m a big fan of anti-seize on the choke threads for my waterfowl shotgun...

Extended all the way. I can just reach out and tighten it by hand after a volley and before reloading.

Hit your target and the choke is irrelevant, miss the target and the choke is irrelevant again. The choke is mostly a point of conversation between hunters that basically need an excuse to explain why they missed.

True





I get your point but not totally true. I can tell you my shotguns shoot much more consistent, tight patterns with the aftermarket chokes I have. Yes, I tested them all with 5 different varieties of shells on a patterning board. With 3 shots for each choke and load. I used to think the same way you did but the results I got on the patterning board and less cripples, and a lot less follow ups, speak for themselves.

Extended choke tube have nothing to do with more consistent patterns and they do protect the end of your barrel. Ported choke tubes do not help with recoil. Factory choke tubes work good but exteneded tubes look better

Each choke is ported allowing gases to escape quickly reducing recoil and muzzle jump in the process.

Copied from the Carlson's web site. I guess they are wrong to

This 100%, mine also loosens a tad, and being able to reach out with thick gloves in freezing cold for a quick twist is awesome. Trying to keep up with a dam wrench is beyond impossible in my blind bag. Also easy to identify which choke you have in the gun(yes I know now days flush ones are notched, but i can identify my extended faster than you can count the dots).

You would be correct this time

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Tell me how 10-12 1/8" diameter holes reduce recoil when less than 3/8" away is a great big ol hole?

In theory yes, but no manufacturer has been able to consistently prove their benefits, and they are a pain to clean.

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The best patterning choke tubes I have ever owned are the factory Hasting Wadlock CT II flush chokes, there is nothing close to them, probably why I own a dozen or more of their barrels for the Auto-5. It doesn't matter if you are shooting steel, bismuth, Hevi-Shot or lead, they will produce the most even densest pattern

I bet you only do that after you miss. i have seen a few guys do that funny thing is their choke isn't loose after shots that they hit

Yes ....they are wrong it a advertising gimmick

like chalking the cue

"“Do Extended Chokes Improve Patterns?” The best available answer is that yes, based on best documentation available extended tapered portions have been shown to improve patterns. Extended parallel sections have been shown to improve patterns. High-quality extended chokes as a class have been shown to improve patterns anywhere from 5 – 20% efficiency. Moreover, I have never seen a quality extended choke tube go the other way, but the individual shell itself as well as the individual shotgun both have a large effect on potential pattern efficiency, independent of the choke tube itself."

https://www.chuckhawks.com/extended_chokes_patterns.htm

I do mine consistantly. All it takes is a tad too loose to get blown out and jack up the barrel.

Lead shot shoots no differently for me whether extended or flush. But, steel is a whole different story. With my SBEII (primary duck gun) I tested some ~1,300 and ~1,500 fps #3 and #4 in three chokes. Factory IC, factory MOD (both flush) and a cheap Carlson's extended steel shot MOD (mid range) choke. My results were at the higher end of that 5-20% improvement in pattern, which was pellet count inside a 36" circle at 30-40 yards.

Not saying all guns are the same, but for me it has been well worth it.

it would have to be extremely loose. I am not saying it has never happened, but i have been around a lot of shots fired never seen a loose choke cause an issue. I have seen them over tightened while the barrel is hot and seized when they cooled down

I prefer extended chokes and feel I get a little more performance than a flush mount choke. I need every bit of help I can get.

so instead of starting a new thread - what aftermarket chokes does everyone prefer?

Carlson Cremator.

Running one of these ^ as well as a patternmaster. Both in mid range.