Barrel/Choke Question

9guy · September 12, 2006, 01:13 AM

What's the difference between a Modified and an Improved barrel/choke?

I've got a Remington 1100 with a 28" Modified and a Remington 870 with a 28" Improved (I think...they're both at the gunsmith's for some minor repairs).

Which one is better for dove hunting?

Thanks, and please don't burn me for the noob question...

MEDDAC19 · September 12, 2006, 01:54 AM

Improved spreads about 26" at 20 yds, 32" at 25 yds, and 38" at 30 yds.

Modified spreads about 20" at 20 yds, 26" at 25 yds, and 32" at 30 yds.

You will be better served using the Improved barrel.

Dave McC · September 12, 2006, 08:09 AM

Here's the sequence of choke constrictions. In 12 gauge, the steps are commonly in increments of .010". These are also called Points Of Constriction.

Cylinder- 0 POC.

Improved Cylinder- 10 POC.

Modified- 20 POC.

Improved Modified- 30 POC.

Full- 40 POC.

These are the most commonly used, though Skeet, which runs from a Negative choke(Larger than the bore) to about 5 POC and Light Modified, about 15 POC, are gaining popularity.

Doves are shot under many conditions, but I use IC more than Mod. I also use target loads which pattern tighter than the cheapo "Dove" loads and kill far better.

HTH....

reils49 · September 13, 2006, 02:53 PM

MEDDAC is right about the shot spread, but you need to understand that pattern density is just as importanct especially if you plan on hunting larger birds (ie: waterfowl). When I hunt doves and other small birds, I use a modified choke. Dont forget, most guns have the ability switch chokes.

September 12, 2006, 01:13 AM	#1
9guy Junior member Join Date: May 6, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 118	Barrel/Choke Question What's the difference between a Modified and an Improved barrel/choke? I've got a Remington 1100 with a 28" Modified and a Remington 870 with a 28" Improved (I think...they're both at the gunsmith's for some minor repairs). Which one is better for dove hunting? Thanks, and please don't burn me for the noob question...

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September 12, 2006, 01:54 AM	#2
MEDDAC19 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: Endless Mts,NEPA Posts: 379	Improved spreads about 26" at 20 yds, 32" at 25 yds, and 38" at 30 yds. Modified spreads about 20" at 20 yds, 26" at 25 yds, and 32" at 30 yds. You will be better served using the Improved barrel.

September 12, 2006, 08:09 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Here's the sequence of choke constrictions. In 12 gauge, the steps are commonly in increments of .010". These are also called Points Of Constriction. Cylinder- 0 POC. Improved Cylinder- 10 POC. Modified- 20 POC. Improved Modified- 30 POC. Full- 40 POC. These are the most commonly used, though Skeet, which runs from a Negative choke(Larger than the bore) to about 5 POC and Light Modified, about 15 POC, are gaining popularity. Doves are shot under many conditions, but I use IC more than Mod. I also use target loads which pattern tighter than the cheapo "Dove" loads and kill far better. HTH....

September 13, 2006, 02:53 PM	#4
reils49 Member Join Date: September 13, 2006 Posts: 89	MEDDAC is right about the shot spread, but you need to understand that pattern density is just as importanct especially if you plan on hunting larger birds (ie: waterfowl). When I hunt doves and other small birds, I use a modified choke. Dont forget, most guns have the ability switch chokes.