anyone know of a good web site to read about them

and wht they do at different distances.

do they affect recoil?

http://www.briley.com/c-456-understanding-chokes.aspx

Check out this link. Briley makes the best chokes out there.

The Briley link above is good.

Chokes have no effect on recoil.

The general goal for smaller-size shot for both clays and small-to-mid sized birds is to have roughly a 30" (preferably smaller) circular pattern of evenly spaced pellets at a given target distance. Such patterns break clays and drop birds quite well.

Larger shot -- especially buckshot -- spreads at a slower rate than small birdshot. IIRC #8 birdshot spreads at roughly 2.5 to 3 times the rate of 00 buck. Steel shot requires a more open choke, in the event you are shooting waterfowl.

IMO clays shooters get too worked up about choke brands, dimensions, weight, tube lengths, and constrictions. One of my instructors stated that chokes change patter sizes by inches, but we miss targets by feet.

What is your expected use of your shotgun?

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:


IMO clays shooters get too worked up about choke brands, dimensions, weight, tube lengths, and constrictions. One of my instructors stated that chokes change patter sizes by inches, but we miss targets by feet.

Amen.

Try here: shotgunworld.com

I looked a a dozen youtubes to find out what self defense chokes are good out to forty feet w/ OO buck,
but no one recommends choke sizes or barrel lengths , just shot sizes

Short range & OO buck or so one would lean to an open choke. That could be ‘cylinder’ or ‘IC’, a short barrel would be more maneuverable.

For aftermarket chokes I like the ‘Trulock’ Co, mostly the Precision Hunter, for hunting. There are plenty of other choices that are just fine though.

There are plenty of formidable shotgun loads that would be devastating at short range. It kinda makes the statement, ‘no fooling around here’.

Forty FEET?
Cylinder bore. A riot gun is usually considered to be 25 yard capable.

If you have to stretch the range without a "select slug" maneuver, the Police Marksman's Association found that Improved Modified gave the closest average buckshot patterns. But that was years ago, wads and fillers are better.

quote:

Forty FEET?

Yeah, at under 15 yds the choke isn't going to do anything you would notice.
Use whatever you want.