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Do any of you guys use aftermarket chokes like the "patternmaster" or do you stick with the standards. Then which do you find yourself more frequently using imp, mod etc. I had read that you should step down 1 choke size when going from lead to steel because steel doesn't spread as fast as lead. Is this true? I have been using mod. but find that it maybe too much on decoying birds. Should I change to the imp?

I shoot a improved for everything. I hunted with a guy that had a patternmaster choke. Hell, all it is, is a full choke!

Improved cylinder on the AL 390 and modified and improved on the 686 O/U.

I have shot mod. before with not a lot of great success. I have used an imp. for the past 4 or 5 years for everything and that has helped me. I need all the help I can get when it comes to shooting ducks anyway. I shoot decoying birds and small slough wood ducks so the imp. has worked very well for me. I have found that you can still take birds at a pretty good distance. I shoot 4 shot on woodies and number 2's or 3's on mallards.

I use the aftermarket Briley extended tubes on my 686 o/u. On an average condition shoot for ducks I use imp in the bottom barrel and light modified in the top barrel. If I'm in a real tight hole, I'll go to skeet and improved. In my 11-87 I go with the improved.

For geese, I tighten it up one notch to light mod/mod in the o/u or light mod in the 11-87.

With these combos, when I miss the bird it ain't the gun/choke/shell combo that's at fault ...

Imp., Modified, Full, X full, I doesnt matter, I still cant hit them.

timber decoying ducks i always use imp. cylinder works for me. i started using the WAD-WIZARD this year on open field hunting or anytime i may be shooting long range. i have been pretty impressed with it so far i noticed i have been taking some further out than usual. i actually shot the sporting clays range at the WILLOWS in tunica with it one time because i did not have another choke with me at the time, shot real good better than i thought (shooting with that tight of a pattern) every clay i would hit would turn to powder! otherwise i would always shoot a mod. choke when ever i would shoot long range. anyway that is my 2 cents good luk and limits to all....

Skeet or improved-12 ga
Improved 20 ga

i went to a full. i get way less crips

either IC or IM depending on where I am hunting...

I use a mod. I really don't have much of a choice--my 870 is old and doesn't have screw in's. I have a lot of success I think, but since I can't change I really don't know. As for your question about lead and steel--yes steel does hold a tighter pattern because it doesn't deform like lead does. Since lead is softer the concussion of the powder charge actually makes the pellets crush each other to a degree. Once they leave the barrel because they are not "round" anymore they act like anything else that has lost it's aerodynamics--goes any which way. Because of this deformation scattering you get a larger spread. Hope all that makes sense and helps.

Wes

last year i changed my choke went to http://www.briley.com bought me the duck choke & i can tell you my kill ratio has went up greatly!

I shoot IM for field and steel while I use Mod for Hevishot. All of my stuff is handloaded and tuned/optimized to my guns/chokes. I use RSI & BP recipes and Trulock chokes

I shoot a briley turkey choke in my bps10. tKind of tears up decoying birds you u can make that 80yd plus shot if you have to

Your a skybuster torch??