Many years ago I bought a 20 repro with IC/Mod chokes. I really wanted a Q1/Q2 but at the time I could not find one. After shooting the first round of skeet with my new aquisition it was readily apparent that it was choked way too tight for grouse and woodcock so I had it opened to .004 and .008. Following that I patterned it extensively - all at 20 yards. My initial patterning was with my handloads and the open barrel gave me the 30 inch pattern spread I was looking for. I persisted though and bought a box of top end target shells from Win, Federal, and Remington. To say I was surprised with the results is an understatement. The Win AA's delivered an 18 inch pattern, the Rem. STS's 24 inches, and the Federal Gold Medals 32 inches. I thought it could not be so I repeated the patterning on a different day with 10 shots each - same results.
Over the years and many grouse and woodcock I am absolutely thrilled with my decision to open the chokes. However, I shoot only my handloads that I know produce my desired results repeatedly. The moral of the story is that choke makes a difference in pattern performance but so does the choice of ammo you shoot through them. You have to pattern to know what you are getting.
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