Which type of choke is useful for creating a moderate shot pattern?

A modified choke is designed to create a moderate shot pattern, which strikes a balance between spread and density. This choke constricts the shotgun's barrel slightly more than an improved cylinder choke but less than a full choke, allowing for a tighter shot group than a cylinder bore while still maintaining a decent spread. This characteristic makes the modified choke versatile and suitable for various hunting situations, such as upland game birds or small game. By promoting a moderate pattern, it increases the likelihood of hitting targets effectively while providing enough spread to ensure a better chance of catching moving targets.

In contrast, the other types of chokes serve different purposes: a full choke offers the tightest shot pattern for longer-range shooting, a cylinder bore provides no constriction and results in a wide shot pattern ideal for close-range shooting, and an improved cylinder choke yields a slightly tighter pattern than the cylinder bore but not as tight as the modified choke.