Remington 870 choke choice for mixed small game?

[roseblack]

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to use my Remington 870 mainly for small game hunting (like rabbits and birds) in areas where distances can vary quite a bit. I’m currently using a modified choke, but I’m wondering if switching between improved cylinder and full choke depending on the situation would make a noticeable difference in pattern and effectiveness.

For those of you with real field experience, do you actually change chokes during a hunt, or do you stick with one versatile option? And which choke setup has worked best for you in mixed environments?

[Scorpion8]

I do not use my 870 for small game, but I do use it for trap which has targets starting at 16 yards and moving out to 40 yards in flight so it replicates birds flushing. That being said, I never change chokes. I gain confidence in the one that I am using (always IMP.MOD) and that I can hit a target between those distances. Now the one difference may be shot size, as trap uses #7-1/2, #8 or #9 shot and the patterns will vary with larger shot sizes like #6 or #4.

Have you patterned your 870 to see what shot pattern that you are actually getting at your shooting distances with whatever choke (MOD) that you're using?

Oh, and I'd go on to say that only the truly obsessive trap shooters change chokes between rounds for say "this choke for singles but this choke for doubles or handicaps". Have confidence in your basic setup.

Tell us more about your hunting style?