At that distance I would use IC. I currently use a light modified but we get a mix of decoying ducks and longer pass shooting.

 

Pattern the gun, but if your a good shot I'd say Mod.

Sporting Clays & Skeet improve your game, don't shoot trap if you practice. My 2 cents.

For me, I use IC as the first shot, Mod on my bottom barrel. (I use O/U) then if the birds aren't coming straight in, I just switch to mod barrel first.

But if your using a autoloader or pump then I'd use a mod.

 

Modified for decoying with my pump (12ga 3in. #3, 2 if geese are in the neighborhood)

I used to shoot full when I did more pass shooting, but I've moved away from that mostly.

 

I was thinking for ducks around 25 yrds that with 3inch 4 shot and an improved cylinder, that would be a bunch of dead ducks.

 

I use #4 shot and I haven't really liked it. Fluffed a honker on the 30th but it didn't drop >.< Might put one #2 in my bottom barrel, #4 in the top for ducks/geese mix.

Ic's are good if you are a great caller. If you are, more power to ya. For those of us who are "adequate at best" mod works better.

 

IC all season

 

I shoot mostly #2's for ducks and use the mod choke as my all around choke. My buddy uses a full choke all season (He is an outstanding shot). On my o/u I use a mod/ic. What you should do to decide on the choke is pattern your gun at 35 yards or what ever using different chokes and different loads and see which you like best.

 

Like others have said, pattern your gun.

Also keep in mind different shells have different wads and will impact pattern density greatly. For instance anything federal with the flight control wad (BC and HW for example) will pattern very tight, you can shoot an open choke and it will still be tight. I try to use this to as a quick change choke in the field, as 3rd round in the gun or for passing geese, pop one in and instant tighter pattern for longer shots.

I shoot IC.

 

Pot holes/river/timber = skeet/ic
Larger water (a few blinds ala delevan or LB) = LM
Geese = mod w/steel or terror 655 with Hevishot

If you get them close... Skeet works great.

 

I shoot a Mod and have used several different chokes and shells until I found what works best for me out of my gun what works for me may not work the same for you

 

I shot LM for ducks and geese this past season and I typically will NOT take shots over 40 yards. Worked great for 3" #3 and 3.5" BB for geese. I used to shoot a tighter choke - Briley Duck choke. Most of my hunting is in the rice or refuge ponds (no pass shooting).

Gomerking

 

35 yards is probably pushing an IC.

The IC usually gets its best patterns in the 20-25 yard range.

I would go with the modified choke at that distance.

The best thing to do is pattern your chokes and just see. You never know. You might have to go to an extended range choke to get consistent good patterns at 35 yards.

Kevin

 

i shoot a full of mod all season long, prefer the full, but with some shells the pattern is way to dense. i hunt rice, so most my shots are close, but nothing is more deadly than 3" #4 with a full. if you hit them there dead.

when the geese got thick, i switched to 2's, and a mod. the full with large steel blows the pattern imo/ testing. but the 4's are not enough power less there really close.

imo its all about testing youre loads/pattern/chockes to see what YOU like best. when i shoot skeet i use my full
because its tougher, and its good practice. after a couple of rounds, im usually in the 20's, and have shot a 25 with the full.

practice, use the same shells as much as possible, and pattern youre gun. you will have more dead ducks and less cripples at the end of the day

 

when i shoot skeet i use my full
because its tougher, and its good practice. after a couple of rounds, im usually in the 20's, and have shot a 25 with the full.

Seriously? I shoot a consistent 23 when doing skeet with a SK choke.. can't imagine doing it with a full, but hey, more power to ya :beer:

 

I use a Light Modified.

David

 

I shoot an IC, it's more fun shooting ducks close anyways.

 

when i shoot skeet i use my full
because its tougher, and its good practice. after a couple of rounds, im usually in the 20's, and have shot a 25 with the full.

Seriously? I shoot a consistent 23 when doing skeet with a SK choke.. can't imagine doing it with a full, but hey, more power to ya :beer:

yes sir. carlsong long range extended tube. if youre on the clays are dust...if youre arent, they keep going

granted i didnt get out last year to practice as mush as i do, but this off season my goal is to shoot 4 rounds a month at least

 

I shoot an IC, it's more fun shooting ducks close anyways.

:thumbsup:

 

I starting use a full choke mid season and found it great for both decoying birds and the 40 yard passing shots and NO I don't scrape. I found my cripple rate reduce to almost nothing. you either stone them or miss clean.