Beginner’s Guide To Shotgun Choke Tubes: Chart & Breakdown

Many shotgun enthusiasts get shotgun choke tubes wrong. Despite how versatile a single shotgun can become with the right collection of chokes, not a lot of people know what to make of them: what exactly they are, which ones to grab, and how to use them for hunting season.

Shotguns aren’t just used for hunting. They’re also used for skeet and trap-shooting as well as sporting clay competitions and home defense. They’re also an important fixture in both military and law enforcement equipment rich with an extensive history seen throughout our culture. Because they’re used for a diverse variety of purposes, choke tubes are vital for any serious shotgun owner.

What Is a Shotgun Choke Tube?

Choke tubes help to constrict the end of the muzzle (we’ll break down the anatomy of a shotgun shortly in case you’re brand new). Doing so gives the firearm flexibility in its functionality by tightening or spreading out the pattern of the pellets within the shells you fire.

Shotguns fire ammunition called shells, which contain either smaller, round pellets known as shots or substantial, heavy projectiles typically fabricated from lead. Controlling the pattern is important because the internal pellet count changes depending on the gauge of the shotgun: ranging from one all the way up to as many as 500+ in a single cartridge.

The spread matters when you’re hunting game, shooting in a competition, or at the range. Shotgun chokes give you the power to control your firearm’s pattern, which we’ll explore more of further in this guide.

Anatomy of a Shotgun

There are multiple types of shotguns that each have their own unique features as well as similarities. At Academy, we offer a great selection of shotguns online and in-store. However, the four most popular options: pump-action, over-under, single-shot, and side-by-side.

Even with this variety in mind, the general anatomy of a shotgun is quite similar. Shown below is the most common type of shotgun:

• Stock: Two places a shooter handles the gun that includes the butt (the back-end you keep against your shoulder) and the forestock (also called the fore-end, which allows the shooter to support the action and barrel).
• Receiver: Inside the receiver is where you’ll find all of the internal mechanisms and components of the action.
• Bolt: A mechanism that moves back and forth as it loads and unloads shells from the magazine and ejection port.
• Sights: Depending on your type of shotgun, the sight will typically either be a bead mounted atop the end of the muzzle or a more modern, rifle-like sight ideal for hunting bigger game.
• Muzzle: The muzzle is where all projectiles you fire exit the gun.
• Safety mechanism: As with most guns, shotguns can also have a safety to help prevent firing accidentally.
• Trigger: The apparatus you squeeze or pull to initiate a shell to fire.
• Trigger guard: This piece houses the trigger to act as a line of defense against accidental fires caused should you handle the firearm incorrectly or bump it.
• Magazine: The magazine holds the unused shotgun shells before you fire them off.
• Barrel: The barrel is the long tube that runs from the action all the way to the muzzle. Shells travel through this when you fire the shotgun.

Benefits of Using Shotgun Choke Tubes

Choke tubes help sharpen your shotgun’s accuracy when hunting game and offer a myriad of benefits for hunters. Among the top remains the fact that chokes give you the ability to turn a single shotgun into a tool capable of specializing in many types of game hunting. But keep in mind that choke tubes do not actually affect shot distance, speed, or power: just the constriction!

Most Common Types of Shotgun Chokes

Shotguns fire what’s called shotshells (or simply shells). When this happens, the shot containing many pellets within the shell case exits from the barrel of the shotgun and proceeds to scatter (also known as spread). As the several pellets travel farther out downrange, their spread increases more and more in a cone-like shape.

Choke tube constriction is the diameter between the muzzle and choke and helps to improve long-range pattern accuracy and long-range capabilities. So let’s say your shotgun is 12-gauge. That means the gun’s bore has a 0.670” diameter. When you add a choke tube with a 0.660” diameter, you’ll have a 0.010” constriction.

Know that there is no true perfect, one-size-fits-all choke tube and shotshell combination that consistently patterns the same way every time you fire a shot. Different choke tubes as well as steel shots (due to the larger size) may not accurately adhere to the information in the table below.

That’s why patterning is essential to learn about your specific choke-shell combination when it comes to knowing the range capabilities of your shotgun. If patterning is new for you, we explain it in greater detail further in this guide.

While you’ll likely find a wide-variety of shotgun chokes online or on the shelf in-store, we focus on the most common and accessible types for this guide:

• Cylinder choke: These are great for firing off quick shot spreads in this unconstricted barrel at shorter ranges.
• Improved cylinder choke: This choke has a very slight constriction on the shot that fires quicker than the final two types, making this a great option for adequately closer ranges and smaller game like quail and rabbits.
• Modified choke: The modified choke should be an easy one to remember because it moderately constricts the shot! This choke is a perfect choice for your next dove hunt, since it is ideal for longer ranges and denser shot patterns.
• Full choke: Full chokes have the tightest constriction of the four we’re reviewing in this guide. Anytime you plan a hunt for long ranges up to about 40 yards, consider using a full choke, which is ideal for game like turkey and even squirrels.

What’s Inside a Shotgun Shell?

Shotgun ammunition, widely known as shotshells or simply shells, is unique, and the shot type you choose is also greatly important as you select your shotgun choke. These shots come in a variety of sizes (though note that steel shots will skew slightly larger in size than lead shots) intended for different types of game.

Within a shell, you’ll find three different types of shots:

• Birdshot: The smallest pellets meant for hunting small game like turkey or pests typically at closer range.
• Buckshot: Larger pellets perfect for hunting large game like bucks typically at farther range.
• Slugs: A large, single projectile in the shell.

Even with this variety, the anatomy of a shotshell remains pretty standard:

• Shell case: This is the paper or plastic material containing the pellets or slug.
• Base (or brass head): This typically steel or brass part keeps the primer in place as well as secures the shell case.
• Rim: The base of the whole shotshell.
• Shot: This chamber contains many pellets or a single slug — each shot type specializing for specific situations and game.
• Wad: Acts as the barrier separating the gunpowder from the pellets or slug.
• Gunpowder: When the primer ignites, this powder burns while also generating pressure in the form of gas. When this gas pressure reaches the shot, the pellets or slug blasts off from the muzzle of the shotgun.
• Primer: This is the part at the far end of the shell in the center of the rim that detonates, igniting the gunpowder within the brass head or base.

How To Install a Shotgun Choke

Compared to other shotgun modifications, attaching a choke tube is actually quite simple! Any time you mount or attach any modification to your firearm, always use caution. This piece is something you’ll likely detach at some point. So let’s get started! To install your shotgun’s choke tube, you’ll need minimal supplies and no more than about 5-10 minutes. Gather tube lube, a tube wrench, and a towel or even a rag in your workspace.

When you’re ready, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Check to see if the choke tube is clean with your towel or rag. Make sure any trace of debris is gone so the tube threading isn’t affected.
• Step 2: Grab your tube lube, and apply a tiny amount to the choke tube threads to prevent it from becoming stuck to the shotgun barrel later on.
• Step 3: With your clean rag, wipe the shotgun barrel threads.
• Step 4: Next, grab the choke tube. Mount it to the shotgun barrel just using your fingers and light force. Do this gently to ensure the threads align properly and don’t get crossed or damaged.
• Step 5: When you’re satisfied that it’s safely attached, grab your tube wrench and tighten it.

Patterning Your Shotgun for Hunting

One of the biggest mistakes new hunters make is believing their gun is hunt-ready without first testing and tinkering in a gun range. The magic that makes patterning a shotgun a non-negotiable step as you prime your firearm for your next hunt lies in that a patterned shotgun works together with the choke tube and your choice of ammunition to give you the best shot possible.

A difference in mere millimeters can make all the difference in a kill shot and simply wounding your target. It’s impossible to know with exact certainty where your pellets will strike; however, patterning your shotgun is the best way to let you know where they’ll go.

Shotgun Patterning Considerations

Before proceeding to pattern your shotgun, know that anytime you fire a shotgun the pattern will be unique. From one shot to the next, you won’t find an identical pattern match, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find some sort of consistency.

With this in mind, we recommend testing out your shot pattern at least five times to make sure you are familiar with your shotgun and choke’s combined pattern rhythm.

By consistent, consider that no shot can perfectly cover every square inch of your target. When you shoot to test your shotgun’s pattern, you’ll notice possibly even several gaps between where the pellets strike.

Shotgun chokes help in controlling these gaps by constricting your shots. Too much constriction gives you an extra-dense pattern center surrounded by scattered edges; however, too little shot constriction yields a more random, patchy pattern.

Why Is It Important To Pattern a Shotgun?

You should pattern your gun because there are a lot of variables when it comes to successful shooting. No shotgun is quite the same compared to others. There are several shot gauges for your shotgun.

Add on all the aftermarket modifications you can mount or attach to your firearm, and you have a lot of room for error and uncontrolled variables. Patterning improves your firing accuracy, so each shot remains successful and ethical. It prepares your shotgun for a specific type of purpose of shot capability.

When you pattern your shotgun, you get the chance to understand what you should look for any time you fire your weapon as well as what to expect out of your shots at the ranges you intend to shoot for. It’s a good habit to pattern your shotgun as you swap out one choke for another; we recommend adding it to your shotgun maintenance routine.

Step-By-Step Guide To Pattern a Shotgun

So how exactly do you pattern your shotgun? Thankfully, actually patterning your shotgun isn’t hard. You just need a bit of patience and time, but overall it’s a fairly straightforward process. Patterning your shotgun helps you understand what your maximum range is as well as your accuracy at the range you plan to shoot for depending on which game you hunt.

• Step 0: Always follow proper firearm safety practices when handling or testing your shotguns.
• Step 1: Set up your large paper target. Alternatively, you could also use a cardboard box if you have it handy. When patterning a shotgun, you’ll want several targets available to you to compare your results later.
• Step 2: Stand at about the range you intend to shoot your game from. When you’re ready to shoot and you’re focused on your target, fire a single shot at the paper target.
• Step 3: Safely set down your shotgun, and collect your paper target. On a flat surface or nearby table, draw a large circle (about 30 inches in diameter if possible) around the collection of where most of the pellets pierced. Repeat these steps at least two more times with brand new large paper targets.
• Step 4: Inventory the pellets inside the circle on each paper target attempt. Count every pellet both inside and touching the line of your drawn circle. Write down your result either on the paper target or even on your phone. Just be sure to number the targets, so you can keep track of which attempt they are.
• Step 5: When you can confirm the total number of pellets are in an unfired shell from the same ammunition box, you’re ready to calculate your averages! For each paper target, divide the counted pellet number by the total number of pellets in an unfired shell. Multiply these numbers by 100 to give you percentages.

The ideal minimum range you want your percentages to fall into is between at least 55% for decent beginner results. Eventually, you should want to see results that fall between 70-80%. The more you practice shooting your shotgun, the better patterning results you’ll see! So keep at it. You’ll be ready for your next hunting trip in no time.

Next Steps

Choke tubes give a single shotgun the flexibility and freedom to become a decent variety of more specialized firearms used for different purposes. With the right choke tube, they can be an essential tool in improving your marksmanship.

Academy Sports + Outdoors has a wide selection of shotgun chokes for all of your hunting needs. Shop online or in-store today.