Which choke

[Gus]

I have a mossberg 835 that I would like to get another choke for and use for pheasant and dove also.

I am thinking either a modified or improved modified, but don't know the difference so which would you suggest. Or if these chokes are not the ones I should get, what should I get.

Thanks

[Shaun_300]

both those would work good, or you could even go up to a full choke, it would give you a bit more range.

[AJ]

Improved modified is between modified and full. Personally, I like improved cylinder for most dove hunting. It lets the pattern open up and work for you. I would lean towards a more open choke for doves.

If you are hunting pleasants over pointers, the improved cylinder is again a good choice. If they are flushing out a ways the improved modified and full choke can come into play.

Most shooters can't really use the benefits of the extra range on doves as the leads required to shoot them at full choke distances are beyond what most think is needed.

[dogdoc]

I use an improved cylinder for just about everything from dove, quail, to ducks. With ducks I will sometimes go to a modified if they aren't flying into the decoys well.

todd

[carbonhunter]

[ QUOTE ]
I use an improved cylinder for just about everything from dove, quail, to ducks. With ducks I will sometimes go to a modified if they aren't flying into the decoys well.

todd

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto, the bottom barrel on my O/U almost always has an Improved modified backing it up.

[Tominator]

I hunt almost exclusively with a 20 gauge, and I almost exlusively hunt dove, rabbit, and pheasant with an Improved Cylinder. I have learned a couple things over the years.

#1--and I don't know if it's true or not, but today's shells, and shot cups, and general construction of said shells seem to pattern a whole lot tighter than the shells I used when I started hunting. AJ might be able to shed some light on that.

And #2--I've learned to be more disciplined in my shot selection. When I dove hunt I'll let some doves fly that, to me, are just a bit out of range, whereas my buddies will look at me like I'm mentally unstable, and they blast away with their big 12's.

Anyway, I'd suggest using an Improved Cylinder and discipline yourself on knowing what kind of shot you can, and cannot make.

[Gus]

Thanks all for the info, looks like I should get an improved cylinder.

I am going to try it for dove, but probably will end up putting the 835 back up and getting out the 20 gauge or maybe even the .410 . I bought the gun for myself as a turkey gun and for my dad to take pheasant hunting.

My dad likes to take a couple of 12 guages when he goes pheasant hunting and every year he has had to borrow one from a friend, but now he says he is going to take my gun, so I am going to get a choke for him to use other than the turkey choke that came with the gun.