Shotgun noob alert

moosehunt89

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Hey everyone! So i have recently acquired a shotgun (Winchester SX3) and i am going to try my hand at waterfowl hunting this fall and mabe a turkey hunt in the future. This is my first shotgun and i am confused about the whole choke deal. Especially with steel shot, and what type of choke to use with steel shot an what works better on ducks, geese and type of shot size and yadda yadda yadda. As the title of my post says, im a shotgun noob. As well as putting slugs and such through it, im sure f you have an incorrect choke #### will get messed up fast :p... So please CGN assist me in advice knowledge so i one dont damage my new purchase as well as hurt myself. Thanks!

-Moosehunt89
 
Page 67 and 68 of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course Student Handbook gives a pretty good rundown on chokes and the various types.

Basically a full choke will give a tighter pattern (pellets stay closer together while in flight) and are good for Turkey. For slugs since you don't want the larger slug to run into a constriction at the end of the barrel, you want a Cylinder up to an Improved Modified choke. Slugs through a full or extra full turkey choke are generally considered to be a bad idea.

Steel shot apparently can be harder on chokes and barrels so chokes for steel shot will generally be labeled as such by the manufacturer. Other shot materials like Hevishot also have specially made chokes available.

The general rule is to pick a shot size and choke that you think will work for your needs and then "pattern" the combination by shooting at a 30inch diameter target from 40 yards. This will give you an idea of how many pellets will be put on target and what the pattern of pellets will be at the point of impact. If you don't have enough pellets on target, go for a "fuller" choke.
 
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