Any thoughts on best chokes for a .410 SxS for shooting Sporting Clays?

Thanks in advance!

When I shoot my 410, it is for sporting clays, I feel that I get the best results with modified chokes or tighter depending on the range. But it doesn't matter what choke you use if you just miss outright.

I've tried to shoot 410 occasionally with pretty limited success. That will definitely put the "Sport" in sporting. As Curly said, tighter chokes are likely necessary due to the limited volume of shot.

M,IM or F.

.410 patterns break apart PDQ.

Mods are tough to beat in the 410.

I have only owned .410s with fixed full chokes, both guns were single shots. It was always my understanding that full choke was the way to go with .410 due to the diminutive amount of shot you are working with. I am considering a double with screw in chokes. Can you elaborate on why it is tough to beat modified in the .410? Does modified choke pattern better than full choke, even at 30-35 yards? Or is it because the modified choke will have a more useful pattern at closer ranges such as 20-25 yards? Just curious as to your reason(s) for that statement.

My last .410 had fixed full barrels but patterned like an improved cylinder at 16 yards. If I were to buy another .410, I wouldn’t consider going any looser than full, and I’d more than likely go to extra full if the gun had screw-in chokes.

For sporting clays, it depends on the course. Decent target setters will accommodate for 410 with closer targets. Doesn't always happen, but it should. You've had three very good clay shooters recommend starting with mods. Try that.

In my limited experience testing the 410:

1) First note that choke has a pretty limited effect on a 410 pattern to begin with. The difference between a Sk and a F at 25 yards looks like about one normal 12ga choke step different. And looking at the 410 Sk pattern at 25 yards, you wonder how it can even break a clay -- but it does.

2) Second note that in 410, Sk is .005" constriction, IC is .008", M is .012 and F is .018"...

3)*I* noted that the M pattern for my guns appeared the most even at 25 yards. F had a teeny bit tighter core, but a more wild outer edge and the M just looked more even across the usable circle. I could tell virtually no difference between Sk and IC at 25 yds, and LM (.010") seemed about half-way between Sk and M with good distribution.

4) Because of the above, *I* use in my tubeset the LM/M screwed in all the time. I break 35 yard crossers with the LM choke pretty consistently. I only screw in the Sk for a close --under 15 yd-- target. I cannot recall ever using my F in the 410 in a tournament, nor ever thinking I needed it.

YMMV...

Here are a few of my .410 pattern numbers.

Patterning results @ 25 yards from a Yildiz SxS .410 with 28" barrels and factory flush choke tubes (patterns average of five, post-shot scribed circles, yardage taped muzzle to target, in-shell pellet count average of five, and true choke constriction from bore gauge).

.410 2 1/2" WINCHESTER AA TARGET LOAD
1/2 oz #9 lead (281 pellets) Max DE

LEFT BARREL (ID .406”) -- RIGHT BARREL (ID .408”)
FULL choke (.021” constr.) -- FULL choke (.023” constr.)
20" / pattern 181 (64%) -- 20" / pattern 189 (67%)
20-30" / pattern 71 -- 20-30" / pattern 68
30" / pattern 252 (90%) -- 30" / pattern 257 (91%)

IM choke (.015” constr.) -- IM choke (.017” constr.)
20" / pattern 172 (61%) -- 20" / pattern 190 (68%)
20-30" / pattern 72 -- 20-30" / pattern 66
30" / pattern 244 (87%) -- 30" / pattern 256 (91%)

MOD choke (.010” constr.) -- MOD choke (.012” constr.)
20" / pattern 158 (56%) -- 20" / pattern 173 (62%)
20-30" / pattern 77 -- 20-30" / pattern 71
30" / pattern 235 (84%) -- 30" / pattern 244 (87%)

IC choke (.003” constr.) -- IC choke (.005” constr.)
20" / pattern 115 (41%) -- 20" / pattern 144 (51%)
20-30" / pattern 81 -- 20-30" / pattern 85
30" / pattern 196 (70%) -- 30" / pattern 229 (81%)

CYL choke (-.004” constr.) -- CYL choke (-.002” constr.)
20" / pattern 86 (31%) -- 20" / pattern 84 (30%)
20-30" / pattern 77 -- 20-30" / pattern 83
30" / pattern 163 (58%) -- 30" / pattern 167 (59%)

Hope this helps, good luck.

Looking at Joe Hunter's numbers for just full and modified, I can see what JacksBack is saying. The full has more pellets in the 20" pattern but the modified has more pellets in the 20"-30" pattern. Overall, the full has slightly more pellets in the total 30" pattern but not by much. The difference being that the full has a tighter core and the modified has better distribution from 20" - 30". Thanks to you both for the explanation and pattern numbers!

All very good info here, but especially in the 410, knowing which chokes work best for you takes work and time. You have to use your ammo with your chokes and a pattern board. There really are no short cuts.

Steve

Many thanks for the helpful replies!

BTW here is a link to Briley's Choke Bore Sizes & Constrictions for .410

https://www.briley.com/c-1093-410-gauge ... ation.aspx

What clays I’ve broken with my 410 I used imp cylinder and mod with #9 shot.

Had my fixed ic/xxf fausti opened up to mod on the second barrel and am so far pleased with it.

I’ve used mod and light full at several state shoots. Seems to work pretty good. I generally use 9s but have also used 8.5 and 8 shot. Given the choice I usually go with 9s for pattern density.
Cheers Gofer