Shotgun Choke Tubes Interchangeability

A choke tube is a removable interior tube at the end of a shotgun barrel that controls shot dispersion. Choke tubes typically come in cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, full, and extra full.

A cylinder choke tube produces a very wide shot dispersion, whereas an extra full choke tube will provide a much tighter shot pattern. Different chokes are used for skeet, trap, and sporting clays.

In hunting, the type of game and conditions will determine choke tube type.

The current system of screw in choke tubes was introduced in 1959 by Winchester with its model 59 semi-automatic shotgun.

They discontinued the model 59 in 1965 to make way for their new line of shotguns: The Model 1400 semi-automatic and the Model 1200 pump. They were introduced as fixed choke guns and it wasn’t until around 1970 they had worked out some problems with their screw in choke system they then offered this in the 1400 and 1200 model shotguns they named their new choke tube system winchoke.

In 1978 the Mossberg 500 was first seen sporting the new choke tube system they named their new system accuchoke.

In 1982 Weatherby introduced the model 82 with the new screw in choke system they named their new choke tube system multichoke.

After this, all the shotgun manufacturers introduced their own versions and systems of screw in choke tubes.

Choke tube selection is a confusing issue among a lot of shotgunners but one that is easily explained. Everyone knows how to pattern a shotgun and what they are looking for, which is the ultimate full choke pattern at 40 yards, which is a 70% shot pattern, it is this area where it all gets fuzzy and needs explaining.

The reason for placing 70% of the shot in a 30″ circle at 40 yards for a full choke is this, the minimum – maximum pattern kill zone, this means the pattern will cleanly kill anything in this circular zone.

Selecting the correct choke tube is nothing more than moving that same exact pattern to different yardages in other words if you want to shoot at a target 20 yards away then select a choke tube that gives you 70% of the pattern in a 30″ circle at 20 yards, if shooting at a target that is 45 yards away then select a choke tube that will give you 70% of the pattern in a 30″ circle at 45 yards.

Extra Full Choke Tube delivers a 70% pattern at 45 yds.
Full Choke Tube delivers a 70% pattern at 40 yds.
Modified Choke Tube delivers a 70% pattern at 35 yds.
Improved Cylinder Choke Tube delivers a 70% pattern at 30 yds.
Cylinder Choke Tube delivers a 70% pattern at 25 yds.

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Do you know what a shotgun shotstring is?