The Lowdown on Chokes

A graphic shows the types of chokes normally used by waterfowl hunters.A graphic shows the types of chokes normally used by waterfowl hunters. This overlay shows the shot patterns at 40 yards distance.

Shotgun choke is the constriction in the last several inches of the barrel that helps control how quickly the shot spreads after leaving the muzzle. Choke can be interchangeable, as with screw-in tubes, or fixed. Common choke designations are a starting point, but the only way to verify performance is to test chokes in your gun with the loads you want to shoot.