Massive Spanish Naval Flintlock Blunderbuss Swivel Gun for comment

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by CSinTX

I have years of shotgunning under my belt and my thought as well, at first. But then I remembered the most "open" choke throwing the widest pattern is designated "Cylinder". A cylinder choke is the same diameter as the bore. There is no flare in it. I am not aware of any choke that is more open than the bore. We know that constricting the bore will tighten the pattern but not so sure if flaring it would do the same. My feeling is that yes it would but it would need to be gradual so that the shot load could be disrupted by the expanding gases as it traveled forward in the barrel. Exactly as this one is designed.

Thanks very much, very nicely explained and that makes perfect sense. It is always good to hear this kind of perspective from first hand experience.