Which shotgun choke offers the widest spread of shot?

The cylinder choke, often referred to as "unchoked," provides the widest spread of shot among the options listed. This design allows the shots to diverge more quickly as they exit the barrel, resulting in a broader pattern. This characteristic makes it ideal for shooting at close range where quick follow-up shots are often necessary, such as in bird hunting or when targeting moving game.

In contrast, the full choke is designed to produce a very tight pattern and is more suitable for long-range shooting, where precision is required. Modified and improved cylinder chokes offer intermediate spreads, balancing distance and spread, but they still do not achieve the wide dispersal provided by the cylinder choke. Therefore, for scenarios that require rapid engagement of multiple targets or shooting at closer distances, the cylinder choke is favored for its expansive shot pattern.