Why do we use those terms?
Because most of the world is not interested in thousandths of an inch of constriction. They want to have a general idea of the progression of chokes, open to tighter, and that's all.
I have shot doves for 51 years, and have rubbed elbows in that time with the whole gamut of shooters, from the filthy rich to those barely able to own a gun and a few shells. I would estimate that less than 5% of them could even tell you the order of progression, much less what they mean. Most only know about IC, Mod and Full.
My belief is that, in America, the most common constrictions for chokes are these (most common, not implying a standard).
.005" Skeet
.010 Improved Cylinder
.015 Light Modified
.020 Modified
.025 Improved Modified
.030 Full
Then, for turkey hunters it goes on up through X,XX, and XXX Full.
All it matters to me is for a reference. When I grab a choke tube for my SP II for doves, I just want to be able to look at it and see the marking that designates it. I already know, from lots of experience using them on game, which one will do what.
SRH
Last edited by Stan; 09/21/11 07:55 PM.
