Modified choke

• A. is an unconstricted barrel. The shot string spreads quickly
• B. has a slight constriction. It allows the shot string to spread fairly quickly. Good for quail, rabbits and upland game at close range
• C. has moderate constriction. The pellets stay together longer, making the shot string denser and more useful at longer ranges
• D. has tight constriction. The shot holds together even longer, making this choke good for squirrels, turkey, and other game shot at 40-yard and longer

Answer: (C)

Shot pattern is shaped by the choke at the muzzle. A moderate constriction—the modified choke—helps the pellets stay together longer after leaving the barrel, producing a denser shot string than an unconstricted or lightly constricted barrel. That denser pattern extends the useful range a bit and makes it a good all-around choice for upland game shot at mid-range.

If the choke is hardly constricted, the pattern opens up quickly and pellets spread out sooner, reducing long-range effectiveness. If the choke is very tight, the pellets stay grouped longer, which helps at longer distances but can waste close-range shots by making the pattern too dense or incomplete at short range.