What does a choke do on a shotgun?

[x007x]

Hello, I am pretty new to shotguns. So what is the purpose of a choke? Yes, I could just google it, but I also post on here for other people to learn too.
Also if you want to post about different kinds of chokes, or likes and dislikes. Go ahead and give your opinions, tips, and advice, etc..
Thanks.

[texasmusic]

A choke tightens the pattern of the shot. Full choke will make the pattern tightest followed by modified and improved.


What I find the most interesting is how it tightens the pattern. I understand that it actually swages the shot together slightly, basically into a single cylinder of shot. The outermost pellets are shed rapidly depending on how tightly they were squeezed/fused at the muzzle.

[x007x]

What's usually recommended for home defense, if any?

[Beiruty]

Note, you should NOT use slugs with Shotgun chokes. Also, most certainly you can NOT shoot buck-shots or HD and SD shots with chokes. Birds and Turkey shots are Okay.

Add to the fact that some "wads" such a flight control can't be used with chokes. Shotgun Chokes are like advanced control for shotty, be aware.

[Greybeard]

Quote: "Note, you should NOT use slugs with Shotgun chokes. Also, most certainly you can NOT shoot buck-shots or HD and SD shots with chokes."

Hmmmmmm ... I would really like to see that supported by some credible links, preferably from the shotgun manufacturers ...

[texasmusic]

What's usually recommended for home defense, if any?

For HD no choke (cylinder) is optimal given that the engagement will be well within 20 yards.

Here's a picture from "the box of truth.com" showing spreads from Improved and Full at 10 yards. Not like Hollywood at all.


Chokes can help when bird hunting to extend the effective range of your gun. I stick to cylinder for HD but I wouldn't have a problem loading up a Improved with 00 buck if it was the only thing I had.

[C-dub]

The manual for mine also noted that I should not use a Full or Improved Modified choke with steel shot.

[ghostrider]

Note, you should NOT use slugs with Shotgun chokes.

Depends.
You can shoot sabot slugs through a rifled choke. Foster slugs can be shot through chokes, though I probably wouldn't use a full choke and definitely not an extra full (turkey) choke.
http://www.buckandslug.webspace.virginm ... about.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtop ... 4&t=210264" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, most certainly you can NOT shoot buck-shots or HD and SD shots with chokes. Birds and Turkey shots are Okay.

Different opinions here:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot44.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.biggamehunt.net/forum/chokes-and-buckshot" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=132540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;