Barrel/Choke Question

9

9guy

Moderator
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...
 
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.
 
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....
 
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.
 
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