Everybody is selling a choke tube that is better than all others. Does anyone have any hard data to prove their tube works better at long range with steel?

I would like to pick up a tube for long range goose hunting.

Thanks!!!

Improved Modified is what I use on geese. If they are working really close, I switch to IC. I mainly use BB's on Snow's & Specks. For our giant Canada's, I like BBB's unless they're tight over decoys, then BB's. I use Kent Fast Steel and find it very effective. Remington has a new steel load that pushes 1700 fps. Don't buy a high end choke tube. I've found standard tubes reasonably priced. And word of advice: stay away from those damned ported chokes. Your friends won't like you anymore and you could destroy someones hearing if you plan on hunting together in a pit or blind.
LDK

LDK,

Thanks for the tip.

I'm looking at the Browning IM choke tube for $45 bucks because of the BPS it's going into. A little more than a Carlson's, but it is marked IM and several others have stated that is correct for long range. I will pattern it with 2's, BB and BBB.

Thanks

Anyone else shooting large steel (BB, BBB & T shot) through an extended choke tube that patterns well for them?

Snapper, I think you will be fine on the Browning IM. I've used T's before and frankly I was disappointed. Unless you can center a bird well, your just hoping to break a wing or hit some other vital area. BBB's have more pellets and plenty of knock down power even on giant Canada's. If your not pass shooting, BB's should be fine. Your doing the right thing to pattern your gun. Some barrels/chokes love a certain shot/load while others perform poorly. Good luck with it, David

Higher velocity, bigger shot=failure. Spend your money on hi density shot or even tungsten polymer or bismuth. I see people here shooting at geese with their 3-1/2" 12 ga.s with steel shot at ranges that would tax an '06. All they do is occasionally cripple a bird, which is a total waste.
Also check your regs., I believe here in Colorado anything over BB is a no-no. I still remember the old days when guys were sky blasting at geese with #4 buck. You really didn't want to have that stuff falling on your head.
C.G.B.

End result is a combination of:

- Shotgun
- Choke
- Shotshell Quality (size, construction, hardness)

So if I say go put a Puregold choke in it and all problems will be solved will be quite misleading.

So every gun needs to be vetted with the choke and shotshell.

I have had great results with this combo and I am not saying this is the best combo for Geese as I am sure there are other options available as well....this is what has worked for me consistently for pass shooting geese (decoying geese should be done with open chokes like IC and #4 shot is plenty). So for PASS SHOOTING Geese (Max 50 yards):

- SBE
- Patternmaster Choke www.Patternmaster.com
- 3.5" Steel or Hevishot (#1 or bigger)

So Patternmaster choke that I use by itself has no constriction like regular chokes (it is a cylinder on the business end) but the wad-grabbing teeth on the inside do the job and make the shot pattern really tight.

Now the magic does not happen with this combo when shooting say #8, #6, #4....the choke throws out MOD pattern. But once you get to the #1, B or BB then watch out, that cylinder will start to throw such tight patterns that it will kill a goose dead in air at 50 yards with steel shot. And that is pretty much I am comfortable with for geese (about 50 yards)....beyond that you are really pushing the boundaries of the steel ballistics....not to mention being called all the fun names in the book starting with Skybuster and such Hevishot maybe you can squeeze out a few more yards...but it would have to be a non-windy day.

Here is a picture for you all who love Goose Hunting. My estimate was 150,000 Greater Snow Geese in this field...I just could not fit all of them fu**ers in the frame

Guys,
Both the MN DNR and the MT FW&P recommend BBB for geese. I have had good luck with BBB.

I talked to Briley today and they recommend their IM extended tube for long range geese.

I see the Carlson tube says shot size no larger than BBB and 1550 fps.

Has anyone tested different shells with a tube such as PatternMaster and seen an improvement?

Thanks!

The standard beretta chokes that come with the gun is all I have ever used, and they work great.....

IC is awesome for pretty much everything, from dove to geese and ducks... especially when hunting close ducks or geese in a field..... I have a dog for cripples.....

I go to im or full when shooting lead, specially at passing ducks..... also go to a tighter choke when shooting really high dove......

Hands down, SRM Terror tubes. My buddy makes them. This coming from someone who has tried dozens. Before the TTs, I will say, I got the best results with PMs. Of course, with different needs, guns and loads, there is always going to be a YMMV factor...

There is no ONE best choke. You must pattern the chokes in YOUR gun( with 3 different pattern average pellet counts for each individual gun/choke/load) to find the most effective combo. You need a certain minimum pellet count of correct pellet size in a 30" circle to have an effective pattern with a specific size/brand/load. Each bird requires a specific pellet count(@ 85 pellets for mallard and @ 30 pellets in the same 30" circle for 10# geese for example) in that 30" circle with the appropriate size and velocity pellet.

The CONSEP data is great information for this type work and to answear your questions. Several states(Missouri does) have free clinics using this data to find the load your gun performs best with.

With that said each gun/choke/load is a different animal.

If all this sounds complicated it is, but it is what is necessary to truely know what choke/load/gun combo is the BEST!

The patterning of loads/chokes/guns is really a neat and informative thing that will probably be one of the most important things you can do to become a more effective waterfowler!

thanks
224TTH