Optimal choke selection for 20-gauge shotguns firing Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) loads requires careful consideration. TSS is significantly denser than traditional lead or steel shot, allowing smaller shot sizes to maintain energy and lethality at longer ranges. This density, however, also means that patterns can be overly tight with standard choke constrictions. A hunter using, for example, #9 TSS for turkey may find a full choke results in a pattern too dense for ethical and effective hunting.
Matching the proper constriction to TSS loads maximizes the potential of this high-performance ammunition. Historically, hunters relied on larger lead shot sizes to achieve sufficient downrange energy for taking game such as turkeys or waterfowl. The advent of TSS allows for smaller, denser pellets, requiring less shot to achieve the same terminal ballistics. This translates to potentially longer effective ranges and fewer crippling shots. Selecting the correct choke constriction is paramount to realizing this potential. A well-matched choke ensures consistent, dense, and appropriately distributed shot patterns, leading to cleaner kills and more ethical hunting practices.
