Modified vs. Improved Cylinder Choke

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Knyte

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I searched around a bit couldn't find a definative answer, and it may be a stupid question anyway, but, what is the difference between the two chokes?

If I understand correctly, both are sort of 'general/multi purpose' chokes, or did I misunderstand something? Both can take slugs, steel shot, etc w/o issues correct? Is there some advantages one has over the other in different areas? Is one more suited to shorter barrel shotguns?

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question or has been covered.

Also I'll add I'm looking at what would be best suited to a 18" barrel, general purpose shotgun.
 
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I don't know much, but I'll tell you this.

I shot skeet today with my fixed mod Browning and couldn't hit ####.

Now I'm bad at skeet anyway, but I shot one more round with a buddy's shotgun with an IC choke and started killing clays.
 
Improved cylinder is less restrictive than Modified choke (i.e. the patern is bigger on IC.)

A tip for Skeet or trap shooting. Use cylinder bore, you'll break more clay!
 
Shotgun choke is a constriction in the end (usually the last 3" or so) of a shotgun barrel which focuses the shot into a tighter stream--much like a nozzle on the end of a water hose, which does exactly the same thing for exactly the same reason. It is not the bore diameter of a shotgun barrel that determines the pattern percentages it shoots, nor the gauge. It is just that few thousandths of an inch of extra steel that is left in the (inside) end of the barrel when it is bored.

As can be seen from the table above, there is no great uniformity or agreement between various experts and manufacturers as to how many points of constriction, or even what pattern percentage, constitutes a particular degree of choke.

Pattern percentages are normally taken at a distance of 40 yards. The number of pellets striking within a 30 inch circle, drawn so as to encompass as many pellet holes as possible, is counted and compared with the number of pellets contained in an identical unfired shell. The result is expressed as a percentage. For example, according to Jack O'Connor, 60% of the pellets striking in a 30 inch circle at 40 yards with a particular load would indicate a "Modified" choke with that load, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS STAMPED ON THE BARREL.

Part of the confusion, no doubt, results from the fact that any given shotgun barrel is likely to pattern differently with various shells. Many anomalies occur between what is stamped on shotgun barrels and how they pattern with different loads. Trap loads, typically 1 1/8th ounce of hard #7 1/2 or #8 lead shot, often pattern tighter than 1 1/8th ounce "field" loads of softer and larger #4 or #6 lead shot. Steel and Tungsten shot typically patterns tighter than lead or bismuth shot. In both cases this is because the former is harder and deforms less than the latter on its trip down the barrel.

Probably the most useful way to pattern a shotgun is to test all the barrels or choke tubes you have at the distance you expect to break most targets (or kill most birds), with the load you intend to use. Then select for use the choke that gives the largest and most even patterns, without an excessive number of "holes" through which the target could escape. A variation would be to test a selection of appropriate loads through the barrel/choke combination that you intend to use, again looking for the largest and most even pattern without excessive holes. This system won't tell you what your pattern percentage is, but it will tell you which choke is most efficient for your purpose, and you don't have to do any counting.
 
I do know what a choke is/does I am just not sure of the differences (other than spread) between the IC and Modified or what would be more suitable to a GP shotgun.
 
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I think the difference between the two is slight, at least to a shooter like me. :)

I would think either of those would be good for general purpose. If your not sure though, go for a gun with interchangeables and you can put in what you like!!:D
 
catseye72 said:
Improved cylinder is less restrictive than Modified choke (i.e. the patern is bigger on IC.)

A tip for Skeet or trap shooting. Use cylinder bore, you'll break more clay!
Click to expand...

Improved cylinder for Trap. Good luck with that. Especially on a windy day.
 
Knyte said:
I searched around a bit couldn't find a definative answer, and it may be a stupid question anyway, but, what is the difference between the two chokes?

If I understand correctly, both are sort of 'general/multi purpose' chokes, or did I misunderstand something? Both can take slugs, steel shot, etc w/o issues correct? Is there some advantages one has over the other in different areas? Is one more suited to shorter barrel shotguns?

I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question or has been covered.

Also I'll add I'm looking at what would be best suited to a 18" barrel, general purpose shotgun.
Click to expand...

The difference between Modified and Improved Cylinder chokes is about .010".

Pellet accountability at a range of about 35 yards is about 10% in favor of a tighter pattern with the MOD constriction.

Aside from that, I prefer a tighter constriction like a Modified choke on a shorter barrel like a 14" for better pellet accountability, usually 9 pellet 00, at close in distances and I use an IC on a longer 18" barrelled REM for slightly longer ranges with #4, 00 and slugs ... and general use, as you refer to.

To note, I have great success with Challenger slugs out of both, the 14" MOD and 18" IC. But the most accurate and most consistent with Challenger slugs, regardless of the shorter barrel, is by far my factory MOD, 14" REM barrel.

Every gun will shoot differently with different ammo. Even consecutively numbered guns coming off the line right next to each other. So practice with the brand of ammo that shoots best for your particular gun and go from there for pattern.

To test the difference between your chokes with your ammo, you need a few constants between the two. I use a 30 inch circle at 40 yards and measure groups and count pellets.
Be careful, things change at longer distances, 40 yards is about the extent I'm interested in using a shotgun, 'cept for slugs of course. Your needs may vary.

Goood luck.
 
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