Difference between Cylinder Choke and Improved Cylinder Choke

S

Snidely Whiplash

New member
I bought a shotgun for home defense use that came with a modified choke. I intend to use this shotgun primarily with Federal 00 Buckshot with the FliteControl wads. I have read that the FliteControl wad has patterning issues with the modified choke (the choke’s compression damages the wads tail) and that a cylinder choke is recommended. I can get a cylinder choke or improved cylinder choke for my shotgun but not sure which would be most appropriate.

Any advice appreciated.
 
A cylinder choke is .000 constriction (same size as the bore diameter), while an IC is nominally .010 constriction. It is my understanding the the IC seems to be the favored constriction for use with these rounds and slugs.
Only one way to know for sure and that is to hit the pattern plate at your local trap/skeet club and see how each one does.
 
FITASC, Thanks for taking the time to reply. You are exactly right, I need to get to the range and see how this ammo patterns in the real world from my shotgun. I hate to buy something I don’t need so I guess I’ll just flip a coin and get one of the chokes and give it a try.
 
Some brands will offer a "skeet" tube that is somewhere between Cyl and IC. With the shells I've used Cyl throws a wider pattern than I like. But I've not tried that brand. I'd shoot a few of them through the modified tube and see how they do.

Depending on the brand of shotgun you have replacement choke tubes aren't terribly expensive. Usually $15-$25 each unless you need some specialty tube for turkey or waterfowl.

You could probably place a "want to buy" ad in the classifieds here and get some cheap.
 
Eastbank, Thank you for your very generous offer!

I ordered a choke online for a decent price to try In my shotgun. If the choke gets me within a few inches of spread at 20 yards with the Flitecontrol ammo I think the difference between a cylinder / improved cylinder choke will be irrelevant. At any distance greater than 20 yards my off-hand shooting isn’t good enough that it would make a difference.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply, and especially Eastbank. I’m amazed at the knowledge and helpfulness of the members of this forum. Thank you.
 
Thanks jmr40, you were right, I found one online much cheaper than I thought it would be. Now I just have to endure the wait. Anything firearms related has extended order fill / shipping times. Glad I bought ammo well before this madness.
 
It is a shotgun for self defense???? IN your house??? 10 or 12 yards would be a long shot in my house. Did you shoot the gun????
 
Pete2, yes, both inside and outside of my home. Why?

Stuckinthe60s, my ammunition of choice, Hornady Critical Defense 00 Buckshot with the Versatite wad (nearly identical to Federal FliteControl wad), patterns significantly tighter with a cylinder choke vs a modified choke. Constricting chokes interfere with the versatite wad.
 
At "down the hall" or across the room distance why are you even concerned with tightening a pattern. Most likely it's going to be one big hole, and you will need to have accuracy similar o a rile or handgun.
In addition, if you miss, large buckshot loads are going to penetrate walls with damaging energy similar to a handgun.
Wasn't the idea of the Flight Control wad to extend the hunting range of a shotgun.
 
The OP is using self defense ammunition, not waterfowl buckshot.
 

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<sigh>

Because, as I typed above, indoors / across the room / down the hall scenarios are are only part of my home defense requirements, and there are several spans within my home longer than 10-12 yards. I prefer the tighter pattern the versatite wad provides for outdoor home defense against two or four legged threats.

Cheapshooter, I am aware of the “damaging energy” the shotgun brings to the party. It’s one of the reasons I chose it for the role.
 
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For what it's worth... My self defense shotgun has a factory 18.5" barrel and a cylinder bore. Back when I was much younger I shot it a lot at what I considered to be self defense distances. I don't think I ever got pattern at 15 yards that was 2". Most of the time I recall getting somewhat less than that.

What ever you shoot, practice, practice, practice... Also buck shot is too much for indoor defense at those ranges. Even #8 bird shot will penetrate interior walls at this distance so practice is all that more important.

Years ago I had a roommate that was a former cop and he showed me how he loaded his shotgun. The first 2 rounds out of the tube were #8, followed by 2 #4, then 1 BB, then a 00 Buck and last but not least a slug. I bought the same model gun and I load mine pretty much the same today.

Tony
 
TX Nimrod, you are exactly right. I chose the Hornady Critical Defense 00 Buckshot specifically for the versatite wad and it’s 1600 fps velocity and associated penetration capabilities.

Geezerbiker, I’m not sure of the logic behind the advice given by your former cop roommate. That is advice that would not at all suit my requirements and home defense needs / strategy.
 
I know this isn't all that precise, but it shows that anything under 10m is pretty much the same with cyl/ic.
hope it helps.
 

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Stuckinthe60’s posted “ why not take a trip to the range and pattern it all?‘

Exactly what I’ve done since I made the original post more than 3 months ago and since I obtained a cylinder choke for my shotgun. My pattern results were similar to https://youtu.be/ihkFcpL7UME

Thank you for posting the chart but the 10m range is not a concern for me. I can keep all 8 pellets on target with any choke at 10 meters, but the versatite wad with a cylinder choke gives me a much tighter pattern at all indoor AND OUTDOOR distances that I might be required to engage at.
 
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