What choke for ducks?

I like to grab the duck with my left hand around the legs and if the wings are flapping too much to get ahold of the neck, I'll hold the flapping duck out to my dog who will grab the head - making it easy to grab the neck with my right hand and then left also - you have to be quick to twist and choke or the feet will come up and tear your glasses off and your wrist watch - sometimes even a cell phone will hit the drink. The choke is actually not as important as the rate of twist - hope this helps.

Edit: Maybe I misread that question - sorry - I never did find my glasses - and I'm typing this on my old cell phone.
 
Last edited:
I normally use a modified choke when shooting pass and #2 shot. That way I can nail the geese too. In close you might want to open up your choke a bit. I wouldn't worry too much about shot size for ducks as long as you are between #4 & BB.
 
Shot a teal today with a Carlson Mod choke using #3 2.75" 1-1/4oz 1300fps Kent at 45yards and flatlined it. Then came in the Mallards #3's 3'shells 1-1/8oz. 1550fps cheap Federal Speed shock at 50yards totally done, then one at 40yards, had to finish it off by hand. I'm a newb and thought these were all under 40yards until I pulled out the range finder. Hope this helps.
 
I use a full choke, because that what the gun has and its not interchangeable. I get just as many ducks as my pals do with their guns.
 
In my little river I use an A300 with modified and 2 3/4 #2's. You have to pattern, though - different shells, different loads - they'll make it seem like you changed chokes.
 
My first shotgun was a Win 1300 pump and it was a fixed full.
My second shotgun was a Remington Sportsman and it too was a full choke, it was not until
1988 that I bought an 870 Wingmaster that I was using a Remchoked gun.
Steel shot and a Modified tube be it over decoys or pass shooting Honkers , Snowies or Brant on the beach in Tsawwassen.
IC never did see the inner threads of the barrel, but that choke does have an application, but on the Salt March near YVR I never found a use for it.
Others have and they continue to have great success.
Best Regards,
Rob
 
Last edited:
...start my season with a modified w 2 3/4" #4's and progress through 3" BB ballistic product handloads and full later on ...carlson external tubes any more (and i knew scott carlson when he was just starting up his shop...worked in his area for a few years...good guy...quality gunsmith (i know, name dropper!))
 
Just need a modified choke for everything steel in either my 870 Wingmaster or Beretta A303 magnums.Number 3's Heavy Metal
 
I like to grab the duck with my left hand around the legs and if the wings are flapping too much to get ahold of the neck, I'll hold the flapping duck out to my dog who will grab the head - making it easy to grab the neck with my right hand and then left also - you have to be quick to twist and choke or the feet will come up and tear your glasses off and your wrist watch - sometimes even a cell phone will hit the drink. The choke is actually not as important as the rate of twist - hope this helps.

Edit: Maybe I misread that question - sorry - I never did find my glasses - and I'm typing this on my old cell phone.

Don't worry buddy, I thought it was funny.
 
I use a Carlson's Light Modified (.615" ~15 though constriction) in my 20 gauge SX3. I also have a Carlson' Skeet choke (.625" ~5 thou constriction) for closer shooting. The ammunition I have been using is Kent Fasteel 3" in #3 shot. Your choke considerations really come down to what type of hunting you are doing. If you are pass shooting you may want a tighter choke for more reach, while you may want a more open choke hunting over decoys.

I don't think you can go wrong with Improved Cylinder or Modified in shot sizes 2-4 for ducks or BB for Geese.
 
Back
Top Bottom