[44 AMP]

He's right, they don't make them the way they used to.

Prior to the introduction of the modern plastic shot column (in the 1950s) the pellets on the outside edge of the shot column were in contact with the barrel on the way out. This produced flat spots on the pellets (lead rubbing on steel), making the pellets out of round, and they would tend to fly "away" from the rest of the shot column.

Since shotguns are rated for their choke on the percentage of pellets that hit within a 30" circle at 40yds (full choke being 70%) to deliver the needed percentage for full choke inspite of the flyers, the barrels were choked "tight" (smaller bore diameter, to squeeze the shot column tighter).

With the introduction of plastic shot cups, shot was no longer deformed by the barrel, flew straighter, and yielded a higher percentage of hits inside that circle. Full choke guns shooting the "new" shells pattern extra full or higher. Modified choke guns were delivering full choke percentages, and so on.

SO, when plastic shot cups (and their shells) became the industry standard, the amount of choke needed in the barrels was, overall, reduced.

A full choke barrel, made in 1970- has a measurably larger bore at the muzzle than a full choke gun made in 1930. See my previous post.