TL;DR - First things first, try the factory chokes that came with your shotgun with the loads you intend to shoot. You may very well find that the pattern you need and desire is achievable without spending a dime on aftermarket chokes.

Long answer (my specialty) - “Long Range” chokes are about as “Long Range” as you can chuck them by hand. Pattern density and consistency along with shot size is what determines range capability, before considering your own shooting aptitude. There is no “plug-n-play” answer here… there are a very large number of high quality choke manufacturers, but no brand, model name, or constriction will actually guarantee you will achieve the desired patterns and effect on game birds. I really like Carlson’s and Briley for the money and performance in my guns, but that doesn’t mean much to you or the price of bread.

You will need to define what “Long Range” means to you and if that is even practicable with your shooting capabilities. Next, select the ammunition/load that matches the desired range, the primary game bird, and your own limits. If your answer to defining long range is 40 yards, that creates a different set of load and pattern selection than a definition of 70 yards.

Next, pattern your selected load and each choke constriction at a maximum of 10 yard increments; typically from 30 yards out to your “long range” distance. E.G., if you said 60 yards is long range, take pattern samples at 30, 40, 50, and 60 yards.

Just because a choke says “full”, “IC”, or “modified” does not mean that is the pattern it will produce with any given load. The pattern produced will determine the actual applicability to your use case. You will also have to evaluate the pattern for evenness and likelihood of multiple lethal (vitals) pellet strikes on the game birds you are targeting. Minimums that work for ducks will work geese (given the shot size is appropriate to the range), but visa versa is not true.

If you want a baseline that will work on ducks and geese out to 50 yards using steel shot in a 3” 12ga hull, select a quality 1-1/4oz or 1-3/8oz load of No.2 shot size and pair with a Modified or Improved Modified pattern. Typically, a factory Benelli choke labeled “IC” or “Mod” will work well and get you started. Again, though, pattern before you hunt.

I hope this helps.

 

My M2 patterns just fine with the factory Mod, but a Carlson’s LR tightened it up for geese past 50.