Great exchanges here, thanks to all who've contributed. I hope to read more thoughts and opinions.
I do want to be clear on a couple of points:
1. Gun fit is especially essential when shooting calls for quick shots (actually, it's important all the time, but, for example, on a dove field where I have time to adjust myself to a gun, I can get away with one that's not a perfect fit). As Chris already posted, I, too, can get away with shorter LOP when shooting with heavy clothing (ducks -- I rarely wear more than a shirt and vest while upland bird hunting). Remember, most of us are shooting guns not special ordered by us, but by folks from another era.
2. My choice of chokes is not to compensate for my shooting (Chris, you and I would get along well in the field), but rather is what I think is best suited to the conditions. When close shots are expected, no need to blow a bird up with a full choke pattern...when they get up at distances, I feel the need for the greater reach of a tighter choke.
My choice of choke is not based on my shooting prowess (or lack thereof
)
As for the issue of modern v. old shell "technology," I do believe that the improvements in contemporary shotshells make a difference in what chokes are best for a specific gun (just as some shot sizes pattern better with certain guns/chokes),
although I admit I don't have first hand, authoritative knowledge of this. The paper tells the tale. Aaron may find other results in his tests, and I hope he'll continue to add to the discussion, but I recall a pretty persuasive essay by McIntosh that advocated for cylinder chokes.
At the distances I generally shoot, open chokes make clean kills
and seldom ruin the meat.
I don't take long shots as a rule. I'm not sure if it's a matter of my misjudging the distances and thinking birds are farther than they are, or circumstance, but most of my shots are 30 yards and under (and often much under). So when I choose a tighter choke, it's more a matter of either wanting the extra shot to bring down a late season pheasant and/or needing a tighter pattern to reach out.
Again, I'm appreciative of the comments here and hope we'll get more folks to chime in.