Choke tubes are confusing

[Alan]

I know they matter for patterning but I don't really understand which ones to use when. I got a turkey choke, got a modified, got a full. When do I use what? I feel like I should know this by now but I'm winging it.

 

[Aim_Shoot]

You’re not alone, most of us just pattern them and see what works

 

[Tazer]

I was wondering about it and asked an older guy at the range, and he explained it in like five minutes. Sometimes you can't beat experience when it comes to getting an explanation that makes sense compared to something you would read.

 

[Rottweiler72]

Choke restrictions determine how far you think you'll be shooting at game and also what type of material of shot you're using. Most shot guns will come with a modified choke installed for steel and lead.
The smaller the dia of choke the further out the pattern will hold together, good for longer shots but the more precise aiming you'll have to be at closer range.
The bigger the diameter of the choke the faster the pellets will spread out making it easier to hit at close range but much less reliable at long range.
No matter which choke you decide the shotgun should still be patterned on paper to see how it is preforming.
Basically can read all you want about shot size and choke choices for the type of sporting game or quarry and get a good answers but you will still need to pattern yourself. Just like reloading ammo, it may be accurate in one gun but not the other.
Hope this helps

 

[Alan]

Choke restrictions determine how far you think you'll be shooting at game and also what type of material of shot you're using. Most shot guns will come with a modified choke installed for steel and lead.
The smaller the dia of choke the further out the pattern will hold together, good for longer shots but the more precise aiming you'll have to be at closer range.
The bigger the diameter of the choke the faster the pellets will spread out making it easier to hit at close range but much less reliable at long range.
No matter which choke you decide the shotgun should still be patterned on paper to see how it is preforming.
Basically can read all you want about shot size and choke choices for the type of sporting game or quarry and get a good answers but you will still need to pattern yourself. Just like reloading ammo, it may be accurate in one gun but not the other.
Hope this helps

Good breakdown. At the end of the day, patterning your own shotgun tells the real story, every gun’s got its own personality.