Looking for duck choke ideas

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Aabradsh

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Hey guys

I just picked up a Browning BPS, that’ll likely be my main duck gun this fall.

In the past, I’ve typically ran extended aftermarket chokes, usually a Briley Light Modified for ducks (I’ve always felt a shotgun is designed to spread shot, so super tight chokes don’t make much sense to me), and a Paternaster Code Black Duck for geese (bigger birds, so I go a bit tighter for that). I usually run Black Cloud 3” #3s for ducks, and Kent 3” BB for geese.

Before I go and buy the two “old faithfuls”, does anyone have any other brand suggestions to check out? I typically hunt ducks, over decoys, in marshes or timber holes and geese in fields, out of a layout.

Thank you.
 
Pattern the ammo that you are going to shoot at the distance you are likely to shoot them.
One pattern can be deceiving. Ten patterns are statistically valid. Few people have the patience for a valid analysis.
There is no other way to evaluate choke performance.
 
The only choke it came with is the factory flush modified choke. I like extended chokes because if you ding the end of the barrel, you’ve damaged an $80 choke tube, not a $300 barrel.
 
I like running a modified Kicks High Flyer in my gun. It patterns very well and wasn't to expensive. The expensive part is trying a bunch of chokes and loads to see which one patterns best
 
Over decoys, I've used Open and Imp Cyl for steel shot. Deadly. Even geese over decoys Imp Cyl will do the trick. But again, pattern what you have, at the distance you're shooting. I generally tend to a more open choke rather than tighter.
 
One of the guys from Mississippi I hunt with was missing some shots he should be hitting. After second day found he was using extra full steel. All this over decoys. Changed chokes and worked better. Like others have said pattern pattern and repeat. 5 targets at your shooting range, and 1-2 shots at each. Done with each different manufacturer and different load. Time spent now pays big come fall.
 
I shoot alot of waterfowl both in the fall and in the spring snow goose season and I run nothing but a 20 gauge pushing a max load of 7/8oz of #2's for geese and 3/4oz of 4's for ducks. I never change chokes. I run the factory supplied IC in an SX3 and have no trouble killing birds out to 40 yds. As for ammo I find the expensive stuff like black cloud, hevi-steel, blind side etc is nothing more than overpriced and unnecessary. Right now I'm shooting spring snows with Cabela's house brand Herters which is made by Winchester. Bought it for $159/case and it shoots really well and folds them clean. I also have 8 flats of Faststeel that was given to me but at $22-$27/box depending on the retailer it will stay on the shelves in the store before I'd pay that for it when I can buy the Herters, Federal Waterfowl(blue box), Winchester Expert or Score for $6 -$12/box less!
 
I used to use a Briley LM for all waterfowl, but after trying a Patternmaster Code Black Goose, it has become my go to choke. Some of the guys don't like them, because they miss close in ducks, but I don't have an issue.
 
I've tried mannnyyyy of the aftermarket chokes from Briley, kicks, patternmaster, etc.... and by far the best chokes I've used are Trulocks. They are simple chokes, but always have even/dense consistent patterns with both lead and steel.
 
stubblejumper said:
I used to use a Briley LM for all waterfowl, but after trying a Patternmaster Code Black Goose, it has become my go to choke. Some of the guys don't like them, because they miss close in ducks, but I don't have an issue.
Click to expand...

I can see a choke that patterns too tight making a mess of birds that are too close. But the tight choke making enough of a difference that it causes misses is interesting. I have taken a few new shooters out to try Skeet and Sporting over the last few months and my observation has been the choke makes no obvious difference to there scores.
 
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I have both a Carlsons cremator close range and Kicks high flyer modified in invector plus. Both pattern awesome with Kents. The kicks choke pattern is too tight for my liking inside of 20 yards. Its an awesome choke for shooting diver ducks. I find way less cripples over the factory choke.
 
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