I may get the opportunity to shoot a few ducks this year. What would be the best choke to shoot steel shot thru. My shotgun came with a improved cylinder and modified that both say safe to use with steel.

I shoot modified almost exclusively.

Modified hard to beat

X3 for modified

Steel patterns so tightly that going tighter than modified is unnecessary.

I use an improved cylinder in a 28” barrel, but I’m generally shooting wood ducks at very close range.

Pattern your gun and then decide. I pattern mine at 40 yards.

Depends on the situation

This will be my 4th season using Light Mod and Improved Mod chokes from Carlson’s. I take both with me and swap if needed. Usually on a wood duck hunt, it’s Light Mod all the way.

Absolutely.

Until you do this, you are guessing. What is perfect for my gun may not throw an acceptable pattern in yours.

I have 2 new model A5s. Same length barrel. Exact same chokes and the POI is different and the holes in the pattern are different.

Some things that you can work with

Faster loads tend open open faster and require more choke

Larger shot tends to pattern tighter

Heavier shot tends to pattern tighter

Slow heavy loads require less choke and vice versa. I shoot faster loads 1550 and up. Some prefer slower heavier loads.
I have one load that is 1 oz of 3s running 1825 FPS. Improved mod to modified works great with this load.
I load another load that is 1 1/8 oz of #6 E Shot running 1525. Cylinder works all the way out to 50 plus yards.

Shoot lead.

I will start with the modified. Thanks for the info.

Good advice from Catervj. All depends on what type of ducks you are hunting and in what scenario. Wood ducks in an AL swamp will be less than 30 yards for me so I use I/C. Big ducks in AR or TN, may be out to 45, so I usually go with a mod. Factory chokes in my 20 gauge and 12 gauges SX3's work just fine with Kent Faststeel 3's and 4's. My suggestion, start with your factory chokes and pick up a few different boxes of steel shot and put them on paper at 40 yards. A lot cheaper than going out and buying three or four extended chokes. Just make sure that your factory chokes are recommended for steel.

I shoot a Carlson’s modified with Kent fasteel #2 in the fields. Drop to IC in the woods. Patterns your gun and find out what works best for your setup.