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Hey all I finally found a carlsons barrel for my 870 in 24"(from what I've heard since I don't hunt birds short is better). I plan on buying a set of all the same chokes most likely just in different patterns, can anybody point me in the right direction for which model would be good all around?
 
Depends on your intended use. For HD/Riot gun use, Cylinder or Improved Cylinder are best. For Skeet shooting, Skeet choke is best. For wing shooting of a type where you don't know what the ranges will be (0-70 yards), Modified is best. (Pheasant is a good example) For 16 yard Trap, Improved Modified is best. For handicap Trap, 16-22 yards, full is best. For handicap Trap past 22 yards, Turkey Full or Super full is best. For Turkey, Turkey Full is best For Steel shot, no more than Improved Modified. For Sporting Clays, multiple chokes are handy to have, but IC and IM will suffice.
 
I mean I intend to get one choke in each constriction(for lack of a better word), what I meant was if you go to their website they have all sorts of series of chokes and variations and it's a little overwhelming if I knew what model or series of Carlson 870 that was best I'd just order cylinder-extra full. Sorry I should have been more specific. Do they have just a plain series I could get a set in?
 
My use will be mainly turkey loads, buckshot for coyote and hd, and if I can get one that sits flush cylinder then slug as well. Everything I hunt is on the ground. And I don't shoot trap or anything. All answers appreciated.
 
Usually the extended chokes pattern better and are easier to change in the field . That comes more into play bird hunting or during clay sports .

One thing you have to consider is what type of shells that you are going to use , because you should not shoot shells with a flite control wad in it with a choke that has ports in it . Most choke manufactures make a specialty choke for deer ( full choke ) turkey ( extra full ) coyote ( full to extra full ) HD ( cylinder to modified ) . I would get a flush tube for HD so that I didn't add length to the barrel .

Then the most important thing , after you decide on the shell type , buy a few different brands and pattern you shotgun using your different chokes and different shells to see which combination patterns the best for your intended use . We usually limit our distance to 40 yards , but with turkey and coyote chokes you might try stretching the distance to 60 yards . Use a 4'x4' paper target with a aiming point on it , so you can see the pattern .
 
Red Rick said:
Usually the extended chokes pattern better and are easier to change in the field.

From my own patterning and many tests I’ve read about extended chokes don’t pattern better than flush chokes with one exception. Sometimes they do pattern better with large steel shot. Of course aftermarket extended chokes may pattern better than OEM flush chokes but that has to do with manufacturing quality. Some factory chokes are definitely worse than others, namely Winchester/Browning. I do use extended chokes but it’s because it’s easier to see which constriction you are using and and they protect the crown of your barrel, not because they pattern better.
 
It is my understanding that rifled chokes make little or no difference in slugs but different manufacturers slugs make a huge difference. I have a few different shotguns and have found that my 870 clones like one brand of slugs and my 870s prefer another brand. You have to just purchase a couple of different brands and hit the range
 
It is my understanding that rifled chokes make little or no difference in slugs but different manufacturers slugs make a huge difference. I have a few different shotguns and have found that my 870 clones like one brand of slugs and my 870s prefer another brand. You have to just purchase a couple of different brands and hit the range

This.
 
I recently purchased a used 20 ga O/U that had Mod/Mod extended chokes. Since I plan this for upland as well as some clay targets I picked up some non-extended tubes: Full, Mod, IC, and Skeet (x2)
 
Thanks everyone these are really good answers, is there any dangerous no no's I should know about with various chokes and types of shot/slug? I've only had the modified before, so like can I use 00 in full choke stuff like that
 
I don’t believe rifled chokes work either. I’ve tried them in a Maxus, SX3 and Affinity and noticed no accuracy improvement.
He asked; I'm not a fan of them either; I prefer a rifled barrel with a cantilever scope mount. Mine is a 20" Hastings with a 2.75 x Bushnell on it.

so like can I use 00 in full choke stuff like that

Best not to use Buck or Slugs through a full choke, but some will probably get on here and say they do.
 
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Full chokes are made for buckshot , just don't shoot steel shot with a full choke . It does not mean that your shotgun will pattern the best with a full choke , mine does and most of my shotguns do . Some things that will make a difference is the size of your shells , if you are using 3 1/2" 000 or 3" 00 or 2 3/4' number 4 buckshot .
 
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I don’t believe rifled chokes work either. I’ve tried them in a Maxus, SX3 and Affinity and noticed no accuracy improvement.

I did a bunch of experimenting with rifled chokes a few years ago and found that they will improve accuracy with slugs intended for use in smooth bores, but not really enough to make it worthwhile. Adding a rifled tube also substantially changed my POI which makes sense as the rifled tube has to be slowing down the slug a bit.

All the sabot slugs I tried through a rifled tube key-holed, of course.

Rifled tubes aren't quite as ineffective as most people make them out to be, but they're kind of a half measure that offers neither the versatility of a smooth bore or the accuracy of a fully rifled bore.
 
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