5 Best Chokes for Buckshot: Which is Right for You?

Choosing the right choke for the type of ammo you’re working with is crucial to shooting efficiently, and this is pretty important to know whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned shooter. Personally, I can’t even begin to tell you how many mixups I made when I was just getting started with the buckshot; I’m no stranger to being left in a cloud of fur and feathers after trying—and failing—to hunt small prey with it.

Buckshot is a very versatile projectile and is usually used for close-to-mid-range engagements, like medium-to-large game hunting and self-defense scenarios, where its pellet spread gives it an advantage over something like a birdshot. If you are a duck hunter, read here for our best chokes for waterfowl hunting.

With buckshot, I’ve found that a narrower shotgun choke gives the best, densest patterns. Dense patterns are ideal for the best accuracy, but of course, no single choke tube is going to be the best for every single scenario. So I have come up with a list of categories and recommended the best performing chokes for each of them.

Before we dive into the list, let’s take a quick look at what exactly buckshot is and how it differs from the other shotgun ammunition you might already be familiar with.

What is buckshot?

Buckshot is one of the many types of ammo, or “shells,” you would use with a shotgun, and it gets its name from being frequently used to hunt “buck,” also known as large male deer. The pellets, or “shots,” in a buckshot shell are quite large, so it can deliver a serious amount of damage, which makes it great for taking down large prey.

Buckshot and other “shot” types are sized by number, and manufacturers typically make buckshot in sizes #00 through #4, from largest to smallest, respectively. The larger the pellets, the lower the load, meaning there are less of them packed into the shell, and I know all these conditions might sound a bit confusing, so here’s a quick breakdown of the specifications.

#0000 and #000 are not unheard of, but are also not common among the hunting community. Since these are the largest (at approximately 85 grains and 70 grains), they are usually way too powerful for most hunts. Since I only use buckshot for large game, I have no reason to go with anything but #00, or “double aught” as it’s called in hunting circles.

Now, this next point is true of all shooting styles, but you’ve got to be especially careful with buckshot because of its immense take-down power; misfires are no joke, and you could seriously hurt whoever gets caught in the crossfire.

This is why most buckshot hunters wear bright clothing in the field to make their presence known to each other, and it’s also why I stick to #00 pellets; it’s got all the power I need without pushing the limits of safety.

Finally, you should know that not all buckshot is made the same; They make the pellets from a variety of materials such as lead, copper, tungsten, and copper-plated-steel. Different materials can give you different results, and just like your choke of choice, this can affect your shot patterns.

Now that you know what buckshot is, let’s take a look at the different types of chokes you can use to get the most out of it.

What type of choke is best for buckshot?

Depending on the hunting scenario, you might want a tighter or looser choke to control the spread and pattern of your shots. Based on my experience, I’d recommend two choke types for buckshot; full chokes and modified chokes.

Now, full chokes have the tightest constriction and narrow down the pellets the most so they stay together for longer and give a really dense pattern on impact. Modified chokes are slightly less constricted than full chokes and result in a more open pattern within the “kill zone.”

Typically, your kill zone is about 30-inches in diameter, and full chokes can land about 70% of your shot’s pellets within this zone. Modified chokes aren’t that far off and can result in a 60% distribution.

Here, I’ve recommended a mix of modified and full chokes, and instead of ranking them in any particular order, I’ve sorted them into their best categories.

Gun University’s Choices of the Best Chokes for Buckshot

Best Chokes for Buckshot

Best overall Carlson’s Buckshot Choke Tube		Can be used in a variety of situations Reduced recoil due to the porting Consistent pattern Easy installation and removal	Buy on Amazon
Best for predators and large game Mojo Outdoors Predator Fatal Shot Choke Tube		Convenient grip for changing chokes without tools Dense and uniform shot patterns Quicker and cleaner shots Usable with all types of ammo	Buy on Amazon
Best long range buckshot Carlson’s Coyote Choke Tube		Works well for targeting predators from long distances Dense patterns at extended ranges	Buy on Amazon
Best budget Trulock Predator Choke Tube		Balanced pattern density and spread Great for long range shooting Textured grip for easy removal and installation	Check Price
Best for dense patterns Kick’s Buck Kicker Choke Tube		Extra ports designed for reduced recoil Consistent patterns up to 40 yards	Check Price

Best Buckshot Choke Spec Comparison

Below is a table of the specifications for each choke. Click the name of the item to jump to that review.

Best Chokes for Buckshot

Here is our list for the best chokes for shooting buckshot

1. Carlson’s Buckshot Choke Tube
2. Mojo Outdoors Fatal Shot Choke Tube
3. Carlson’s Dead Coyote Choke Tube
4. Trulock Predator Choke Tube
5. Kick’s Buck Kicker Choke Tube

Best Chokes for Buckshot – Reviews

Since the right choke for one person may not work for everyone, I’ve ranked the best ones I’ve used in several categories, instead of ranking them in order.

Buyers guide

If you are new to buckshot chokes, it can be tricky to know what to look for when buying them and what differentiates them from other types of chokes. So I’ve put together a buyer’s guide to help you understand the differences between the different types of ammo and what you should be looking at when buying buckshot chokes. Let’s get right into it.

The biggest difference between buckshot and birdshot is the size of the pellets that are loaded in the shell.

Birdshot shells are mostly used to hunt—you guessed it—birds and other small game, and they contain tiny pellets in large numbers, while buckshot shells have a smaller amount of larger pellets.

You wouldn’t stand a chance against buck or elk with birdshot, and you’d probably vaporize a duck if you went at it with buckshot—a mistake I have unfortunately made in my early days of hunting.

Slugs, on the other hand, do the job of multiple buckshot shells—they can take down large prey in one shot, but it would be a waste of power to use them on quail or other smaller game. Here’s a bite-sized overview of the most important differences you should be aware of:

Birdshot	Buckshot	Slug
Shots range from #4 to #9 (.13” to .08”)	Shots range from #000 to #4 (.36” to .24”)	Shots range from 7⁄8 oz, 1 oz, and 1 1⁄8 oz
Used for hunting small game, vermin, birds, shooting sports, and target practice	Used for hunting medium to large game, self-defense, and law enforcement scenarios	Used for hunting medium to larger game
Broader spread to hit fast-moving targets	Tighter spread for ethically harvesting mid-large game	No spread

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what buckshot is and what sets it apart from other shotgun ammo, here are some questions you should be asking when you buy your buckshot choke.

What to consider when purchasing a buckshot choke?

With chokes, it’s worth remembering that certain specs are more important than others, depending on your priorities and your quarry. Asking yourself these questions while browsing through your options can help narrow down your best choices:

Purpose – What do you intend to use the choke for?

Do you want a choke you can use for a variety of purposes or a choke specifically for hunting? Maybe you don’t hunt and want a choke to defend yourself. Depending on what you have in mind, you may want to pick a certain choke over another.

Range – What do you hunt and what’s the range you need?

Depending on what you hunt, the range you’ll need from your choke will differ. If you are hunting coyotes, you are going to need something with long ranges and tight patterns, but you may not need the same range for small game. Consider your hunting habits and optimal ranges when choosing a choke.

Ease of use – Is your choke easy to use right out of the box?

While patterning is a general practice when it comes to using chokes with different types of ammunition, chokes that work well with the recommended ammo right out of the box are so much easier to use. They eliminate the need for guesswork, allowing you to get straight to hunting. 

Manufacturer recommendations – Does the choke have limitations? 

They may design certain chokes for specific ammo; therefore, it is important to identify any special restrictions for the choke. If the choke cannot handle a specific ammo type or ammo velocity, it could damage the choke over time. I know a friend in California who ordered a buckshot choke in a hurry and found out on the packaging that it couldn’t handle steel shot. As we all know, certain states have laws preventing lead ammunition. Save yourself some time by taking a look at the manufacturer’s recommendation for the choke.

Finding the right choke at the end of the day depends on you; what you want out of your shotgun, your personal situation, and your ammo preferences, so use your judgment to choose the one that fits you the best.  

Conclusion

You have a lot to consider when you purchase a choke, but taking that time to experiment and figure out what really works for you can make a big difference in your hunts. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a highly rated choke, but you’re always going to perform best with a choke that feels comfortable for you to use with your shotgun. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a choke you like, you never know–it just might be the right one for you. Happy hunting. 

Best Chokes for Buckshot FAQs