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What Choke are you using?
#8957546
11/18/23 04:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,432
Archer Anthony
OP
Veteran Tracker
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OP
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,432 |
Im going on a 2 day duck hunt in December. Not sure how we will be hunting yet. The guide said he will scout the day before and we will go where the ducks are. My question is what choke are you guys/gals running for waterfowl? I will be using bismuth 3" #4 shot out of my Beretta A400 excel. Any help is appreciated.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957559
11/18/23 04:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 371
DJ22
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 371 |
For me; kind of depends on how the ducks are behaving, and if I’m combo hunting geese simultaneously. If I have a chance at geese while hunting ducks or if the ducks are actually setting up, and landing with the decoys - Full Choke. If the ducks are flyers, and won’t set up - Modified Choke. (like Teal) The full choke with ducks that are setting up will help you save a few decoys too.
Last edited by DJ22; 11/18/23 04:52 PM. Reason: Added
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957677
11/18/23 09:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,564
twdjr
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,564 |
Bismuth likes tighter chokes.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957763
11/19/23 12:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,052
DUKFVR
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,052 |
For Bismuth I would start at mod and if further shots go to IM or Full.
Last edited by DUKFVR; 11/19/23 12:40 AM.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957882
11/19/23 11:10 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,055
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,055 |
Put a couple in your pocket and change if needed.
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957889
11/19/23 11:51 AM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,850
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,850 |
You are over thinking this. For decoying birds and #4 bismuth:
Improved Cylinder if it is going to be an in your face hunt.
Modified is about perfect for ducks over decoys out to 40 yards.
Full choke if you shoot well enough to shoot the close ones in the head and neck and center up on 50 yarders. Having a shotgun with more range sounds better than it is for most. It will cause the average wing shooter to miss more of the up close candy birds that should be meat in the pot.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957965
11/19/23 02:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,762
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,762 |
1) Improved Cylinder if you want to shoot them over the deeks.
2) Full Choke if you want to skybust.
3) Modified if you want to shoot them over the deeks, but maybe also do a little skybusting...
4) If you want to focus on skybusting, don't use Improved Cylinder, or you will be skyblasting, not skybusting, there is a small deference there for those taking notes...
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8957982
11/19/23 03:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,762
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,762 |
Beretta A400 excel. Any help is appreciated. That is a nice gun. I bet it comes with a nice set of chokes, designed specifically for that gun..
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: twdjr]
#8958029
11/19/23 05:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,390
john paul
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,390 |
Bismuth likes tighter chokes. This. I’d start with improved mod. I’ve noticed my patterns with mod and anything less restricted is junk with bismuth.
I'm with GK because I like salty old dudes.
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8960105
11/22/23 10:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151 |
Pattern your gun w shells you will shoot at 20-30-40 yards. You will be shocked, if doing it right, how many of your shots are at 20 or less…….
![[Linked Image]](https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4327/35919199506_34a02ca8d5_q.jpg) Take a kid Huntin
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8960750
11/24/23 02:40 AM
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Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
dk2429
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130 |
I have no problems with a modified choke and 3" #4's Federal Speed Shok. All about being on a target
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Re: What Choke are you using?
[Re: Archer Anthony]
#8963684
11/29/23 03:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,196
Mike Honcho
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,196 |
Pattern, pattern, pattern. A lot of guys find the right load for their rifle but don’t give a thought about what a specific shell and choke does. These days I typically use 90% apex #2’s and a Full Carlson and 10% of the time a Light mod and Winchester #4 in another shotgun. I typically am on the outside shooting clean up. so my shots are usually a little further than my buddies. Those combos pattern well and it’s usually either a DRT or complete miss. I went to a shell and full combo to give me range and adjusted my shooting to it.
Last edited by Mike Honcho; 11/29/23 03:21 AM.
“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."
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