An Experienced Opinion on Shotgun Chokes
By: Daniel Schindler, Master Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap and Wingshooting Instructor
Counting on your shotgun choke to break this target?
After watching countless X’s and O’s with an enquiring mind on which chokes work where, here are my findings.
Does choke selection matter? For some yes, others no, depending on how much the shot outcome means to our shooter.
Do chokes work? Equally to how well our swing is working.
Should we be depending on our choke to break this target? Sorry, no. The choke is simply a helpful tool. Our swing guides the shotstring and will decide X or O. Hold onto that as we continue.
Since they can help, which choke where? That depends on 1) target distance; 2) target surface area exposed; and 3) shooter skill. With the right swing, can a Skeet choke break a 60-yard target? Yes. Consistently? See numbers 2 and 3.
For example, in the Paragon C.I.S. instructor certification classes, my Candidates prove that a more forgiving Cylinder or Skeet choke can indeed break a long-distance target. A 7 out of 10 or 9 out of 10 largely depending more on a) the shooter and b) how much of the fragile bottom of the target is exposed.
The # 1 best choke? With a little latitude on distances…
Inside 35 yards, Skeet and IC just work. Dependably. A bit of doubt on Skeet? Use IC and trust it. Because you can. Fixed IC over IC has been used in winning Sporting championships.
At 50 yards, Light Modified and Modified earn their keep with no excuses 24/7.
At sane, longer distances, Modified and Improved Modified get it done. Fun to watch, proven too many times to argue.
If the target’s up real close or way out there, changing a choke may help. However, changing the choke on every station “to make sure the target will break” is a serious distraction leading to indecision and missing. Again, “guiding” the shot-string to the target is on us, not the choke.
In closing, our more open chokes offer us a bit of welcomed forgiveness on our scorecardand can be trusted.
Folks, we appreciate your visiting. In Part 3, we’ll discuss ammunition choices. Looking forward to seeing you here again. Each Part of the series offers a short preview of what I cover extensively in my three books: Take Your Best Shot, To The Target, and Beyond The Target—the next best thing to taking a lesson.
If you wish to become more consistent in your shooting, I’ll be happy to chat with you and share what you can honestly expect from lessons.
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👤 About Dan Schindler
Dan Schindler is one of only 35 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK) and an NSCA Level III Instructor since 1995. He founded the Paragon School of Sporting with a mission: deliver the simplest, most effective, and practical instruction for Sporting Clays and Wingshooting.
Dan helps shooters break more targets, call and correct their own misses, and replace frustration with confidence—all in just minutes. Lessons are fun, enlightening, and results-driven.
📚 Dan Schindler’s Books
"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, coaches, instructors, and parents of youth shooters."
Trusted by shooters around the world, these books are a true investment in good shooting. Written in plain, uncomplicated language, they strip away the mystery and lay a rock-solid foundation for improving scores and building consistency.
Take the mystery out of missing targets and feathers with Dan’s simple, easy-to-understand books. These bestsellers are your roadmap to more Xs on your scorecard—and in the field.
⚠️ Shooters say: “If you lend these books out, you may never get them back. Some say they’d give up their spouse before giving up these books.”
📘 Take Your Best Shot (Book I)
THE gold standard primer used by shooters and shooting teams worldwide. Solid fundamentals that help shooters of all skill levels break more targets with less guesswork.
Testimonial: “The best clay and wingshooting primer on the market... The brilliance of its simplicity aids successful shooting for ANY shooter.” – David T. Dobson
📗 To The Target (Book II)
Builds on Book I and emphasizes Gun Management and developing a trustworthy swing.
Clay Shooting USA: “One of the most innovative and important books yet published on the art of shooting clay targets.”
📕 Beyond The Target (Book III)
Want to take Dan Schindler home with you? This third volume delivers unmatched insight, humor, and practical solutions that stick—on and off the course.
Randy Lawrence: “The second-best thing to booking a lesson with Dan Schindler. A clear and proven blueprint for breaking more targets—with great heart.”
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