The best choke for hunting both dove and duck is... improved cylinder.

[Eleanors38]

Outdoor Life in its latest issue confirmed that fuller chokes do NOT result in longer shot streams (full chokes are about the same as IC in that regard) due to the drafting effect of the tighter patterns. ICs, on the other hand, result in the outer pellets of the wider patterns pealing back (and slowing), thus equaling the full chokes in long patterns, but without the effect of drafting. Some duck hunters have known this for years, and use less choking, esp. over decoys when birds are usually closer and moving slowly.

I also use IC when hunting dove. The result has been more downed (and found) birds than when using modified chokes. And virtually all my kills this season have been via pass-shooting, using 1 1/8 oz of #8s at 1,200 - 1,250 fps. That suggests another recommendation: 8s are better than larger shot, and the more of them the merrier!

Incidentally, the add-on Remington IC tube makes a nice even pattern, even for a bottom-of-the-boat Remington 870 Express.

[xocet]

1. ...If you can get close enough to a dove or a duck to choke it, you're a better hunter than I....JK

Out of curiousity, what do you think about hunting quail with a double-barrel .410?

[Eleanors38]

2. Never checked the strangulation potential of a dbl .410 Our family always used

.12 ga with short barrels and open chokes, when possible. 410s are an expert's gun. Why parents introduce their kids to bird hunting with a 410 is beyond me. Better an autoloading .20 gauge: Less kick, able to take different chokes, more chance of success, the kid can grow into it over the years.

Edit: great find if you have a double 410. Damned good for squirrels, nice for an expert wingshooter. It's got to be light. Is it a Stevens? I have a Stevens 311D in .12 ga (made in 1955, probably sold for under $75). Two triggers, self-extracting, good mod & full patterns. I have shot ducks with it using max loads. If you can take it, it can.

[xocet]

3. Sadly, that shotgun is past history - a memory from a childhood introduction to quail hunting....

Very few quail were harmed in that endeavor as you might expect. To be honest, it has been a long time since I've either hunted or trapped (muskrat).

Thanks for the interesting commentary and the OP.

[Eleanors38]

4. Your welcome. Heading for the field this weekend!