Optimize Your Shotgun Performance: The Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster 20 Gauge Choke Tube for Browning Invector-Plus

For serious hunters and sport shooters, achieving consistent, dense shot patterns is paramount to success in the field. Whether you're targeting fast-flying waterfowl, elusive upland birds, or engaging in competitive shooting, your choke tube plays a critical role in dictating your shotgun's performance. The choice of choke can mean the difference between a clean harvest and a missed opportunity. This comprehensive guide explores the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster 20 Gauge Mid-Range Choke Tube, specifically designed for Browning Invector-Plus shotguns, and how it empowers shooters with enhanced pattern density, versatility, and unparalleled durability.

What is the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster and Who Is It For?

Are you a 20-gauge shotgun owner looking to maximize your ethical hunting capabilities with modern, non-toxic ammunition? Do you frequently hunt ducks, geese, pheasants, or other game where precise pattern control at varying distances is crucial? The Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster choke tube is meticulously engineered for you. This specialized choke is a game-changer for hunters who rely on non-toxic shot types, particularly bismuth, but also steel, HEVI-Shot, and TSS (Tungsten Super Shot). It’s designed to solve the common problem of inconsistent patterns and potential choke damage that can occur when harder, non-toxic shot is fired through standard lead-only choke tubes.

This choke tube is specifically crafted for shotguns utilizing the Browning Invector-Plus system, one of the most popular and reliable choke tube configurations on the market. If your 20-gauge Browning shotgun, or any other shotgun equipped with the Invector-Plus system, is due for an upgrade that promises superior performance and longevity, the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster is an essential accessory. Available at trusted retailers like DEGuns, this choke represents an investment in precision and reliability for your hunting endeavors.

Unpacking the Technology: 17-4 Stainless Steel and Beyond

At the heart of the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster's exceptional performance and durability lies its material composition: 17-4 precipitation hardened stainless steel. This is not just any stainless steel; it's a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy renowned for its superior toughness and ability to withstand extreme pressures and temperatures.

Why is 17-4 Stainless Steel so crucial for a choke tube?

• Exceptional Durability: Unlike traditional chokes made from softer steels, 17-4 stainless steel can endure the immense forces generated by modern, high-velocity non-toxic ammunition. Harder shot materials like steel, bismuth, and tungsten can exert significant wear and tear on less robust chokes, leading to premature failure or pattern degradation. The 17-4 construction ensures your choke tube maintains its integrity shot after shot, season after season.
• Corrosion Resistance: Hunting environments often involve exposure to moisture, mud, and various elements that can lead to rust and corrosion. The inherent corrosion resistance of 17-4 stainless steel ensures the choke tube remains pristine and functional, even after prolonged exposure to harsh conditions. This translates to easier cleaning and less maintenance for the discerning hunter.
• Consistent Performance: The rigidity and strength of 17-4 stainless steel allow for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. This precision engineering ensures that the internal dimensions and constriction of the choke remain consistent, providing repeatable, reliable patterns. When you pull the trigger, you can trust that your shot will be delivered exactly as intended.
• Heat Treatment Benefits: 17-4 stainless steel undergoes a specific heat-treating process that further enhances its mechanical properties, including its hardness and tensile strength. This makes it ideally suited for the rigorous demands placed on a shotgun choke tube, especially one designed for high-performance non-toxic loads.

The Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster (UPC 09214) represents the pinnacle of choke tube technology, integrating advanced material science with practical hunting needs.

Mastering the Mid-Range: Pattern Performance and Application

The "Mid-Range" designation of this Carlson's choke tube is strategically chosen to provide an optimal balance of pattern density and spread, making it incredibly versatile for a wide array of hunting scenarios.

What does "Mid-Range" mean for your shooting?

• Balanced Constriction: A mid-range choke typically falls between an Improved Cylinder and a Full constriction. For the 20-gauge, this translates to a pattern that remains dense enough to cleanly harvest game at typical shooting distances (e.g., 25-45 yards) while still offering enough spread to be forgiving on moving targets.
• Ideal for Decoying Waterfowl: When ducks or geese are committed and working into your decoys, they often present closer shots. The mid-range constriction ensures a lethal, consistent pattern at these distances, minimizing crippling losses and maximizing ethical kills.
• Versatility for Upland Birds: From flushing pheasants to fast-flying grouse and quail, upland hunting often involves shots at varying distances. The mid-range choke excels here, providing sufficient pattern for birds breaking cover at closer ranges, yet maintaining enough density for longer follow-up shots.
• Enhanced with Non-Toxic Shot: When paired with bismuth, steel, or TSS shot, the mid-range choke truly shines. These harder shot types tend to pattern tighter than traditional lead shot. The mid-range constriction of the Bismuth Bone Buster is specifically tuned to account for this, allowing you to achieve a beautiful, uniform pattern that delivers maximum energy on target without being excessively tight or "blown out." This optimal pattern can translate to a 70-80% shot pattern density at 40 yards, depending on ammunition choice and specific shotgun barrel harmonics.

Whether you're calling in mallards over a marsh, walking through a cornfield for ringnecks, or even considering a short-range turkey setup, the mid-range performance of the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster provides the flexibility and effectiveness you need.

Why Choose Carlson's for Your Choke Tube Needs?

Carlson's Choke Tubes has established itself as a leading name in the shooting industry, synonymous with precision, innovation, and unwavering quality. When you invest in a Carlson's product, you're not just buying a piece of machined metal; you're acquiring decades of expertise and a commitment to enhancing shooting performance.

Here's why Carlson's stands out as a reputable and recommended brand:

• Precision Engineering: Every Carlson's choke tube is CNC machined to exacting tolerances, ensuring perfect concentricity and optimal pattern performance. This attention to detail is critical for consistent shot delivery.
• Extensive Research and Development: Carlson's actively engages in testing and development with various shot types and shotgun platforms to ensure their chokes perform optimally with the latest ammunition technologies, including non-toxic alternatives.
• Hunter-Centric Design: Their products are designed with the real-world needs of hunters in mind, offering solutions that address common challenges like effective patterning with specific shot types, durability in harsh conditions, and ease of use.
• Dedicated Customer Support: Carlson's reputation is built on standing behind their products, providing reliable support and guidance to their customers.
• Broad Compatibility: While this specific choke is for Browning Invector-Plus, Carlson's offers a vast range of chokes for almost every popular shotgun model and choke system, making them a go-to brand for all shooting enthusiasts.

When you're searching for the "best choke tube for 20 gauge waterfowl," or "durable non-toxic choke," Carlson's consistently appears at the top of recommendations from seasoned hunters and shooting experts. Their commitment to quality ensures that the Bismuth Bone Buster will be a reliable addition to your hunting gear for many years.

Enhancing Your Hunting Success: Real-World Scenarios and Benefits

How can the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster (UPC 09214) directly impact your hunting success? Let's explore some common scenarios:

• Duck Hunting Over Decoys: You've spent hours setting up your spread, the wind is perfect, and a flock of mallards commits, wings locked, descending into your kill hole. With the mid-range constriction and a load of bismuth shot, your 20-gauge delivers a devastatingly effective pattern, ensuring clean, ethical kills at close-to-mid distances, preventing wounded birds and maximizing your bag limit.
• Pheasant Hunting in CRP Fields: As the dogs work through thick cover, a rooster explodes from underfoot. This isn't a long shot, but the bird is fast. The Bismuth Bone Buster provides the perfect pattern to connect with this quickly departing target, offering a forgiving spread that's still dense enough to bring down the bird cleanly.
• Pass Shooting Geese: While this choke is a mid-range, with the right high-velocity bismuth or TSS load, it can still be effective for closer pass-shooting opportunities where geese are flying within 40-50 yards. The consistent pattern ensures more pellets connect with the vital areas.
• Transitioning from Lead to Non-Toxic Shot: Many hunters are moving away from lead shot for environmental reasons or regulations. This choke simplifies that transition, as it's built to handle the harder non-toxic materials without compromising barrel or choke integrity, something older chokes might struggle with. You won't have to worry "is steel shot safe with my choke?"
• Reducing Recoil in a Lighter 20 Gauge: While a choke doesn't directly reduce recoil, the efficiency of the pattern means fewer shots are needed to achieve a successful outcome. This is particularly beneficial for 20-gauge shotguns, which are often chosen for their lighter weight and reduced recoil compared to 12-gauge. Achieving a clean kill with one or two shots instead of three or four helps manage felt recoil over a hunting day.

By optimizing your shotgun's pattern for the ammunition you choose and the hunting conditions you face, the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster elevates your performance, leading to more successful hunts and a greater sense of confidence in your equipment.

Installation, Care, and Maintenance

Installing your Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster choke tube is a straightforward process, typically requiring only a choke tube wrench (often included with your shotgun or purchased separately).

1. Ensure Safety: Always ensure your shotgun is unloaded and the action is open before handling the barrel or choke.
2. Remove Existing Choke: Using a choke tube wrench, carefully unscrew the existing choke tube from your shotgun's barrel.
3. Clean Barrel Threads: It's good practice to clean the threads inside your barrel and on the new choke tube. A small brush and some gun solvent work well.
4. Apply Choke Tube Grease: Apply a thin layer of anti-seize grease or choke tube lubricant to the threads of your new Carlson's choke tube. This prevents galling, makes future removal easier, and helps seal out gases.
5. Install New Choke: Screw the Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster choke tube into the barrel by hand until it's finger-tight. Then, use the choke tube wrench to tighten it firmly. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the threads or deform the choke. A good rule of thumb is "snug, plus a quarter turn."
6. Verify Flush Fit: Ensure the choke tube is fully seated and flush with the end of the barrel (for flush-mount chokes) or extends appropriately (for extended chokes).

Care and Maintenance:

• Regular Cleaning: After each shooting session, especially when using non-toxic shot, remove the choke tube and clean both the choke and the barrel threads. Powder residue and plastic wad fouling can build up, affecting performance and making the choke difficult to remove later.
• Lubrication: Reapply choke tube grease before each use or after cleaning to maintain easy installation and removal.
• Visual Inspection: Periodically inspect your choke tube for any signs of wear, pitting, or damage. While the 17-4 stainless steel is incredibly durable, vigilance ensures continued safe and optimal performance.

Where to Purchase Your Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster

To ensure you receive an authentic Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster 20 Gauge Mid-Range Choke Tube for Browning Invector-Plus (UPC 09214), it is highly recommended to purchase from a reputable and authorized dealer. This product, along with a wide array of other high-quality shooting accessories, is readily available at DEGuns. As a trusted online and in-store retailer, DEGuns offers competitive pricing, secure transactions, and knowledgeable customer service, making your purchase experience smooth and reliable. Investing in your hunting success starts with choosing the right gear from the right source.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shotgun Chokes

• What is the best choke for waterfowl hunting with a 20 gauge? The Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster 20 Gauge Mid-Range choke is highly recommended for waterfowl hunting, especially when using bismuth or other non-toxic shot. Its mid-range constriction provides excellent patterns for decoying birds and versatile performance for various shot distances.
• Can I shoot steel shot through this choke tube? Yes, absolutely. The Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster is specifically designed and constructed from durable 17-4 stainless steel to safely and effectively handle all types of non-toxic shot, including steel, bismuth, and TSS.
• How do I know if my shotgun uses the Browning Invector-Plus system? The Browning Invector-Plus system is typically found on Browning shotguns, but it's always best to consult your shotgun's owner's manual or check the markings on your existing choke tubes. Many choke tubes will have "Invector-Plus" or "INV+" stamped on them.
• What's the difference between a mid-range and a full choke? A mid-range choke offers a balance between pattern spread and density, suitable for common hunting distances (e.g., 25-45 yards). A full choke provides the tightest pattern, ideal for longer shots (45+ yards) but can be less forgiving on closer targets. For harder non-toxic shot, a mid-range choke often patterns similarly to what a full choke would with lead shot.
• How does a choke tube improve accuracy? Choke tubes don't directly improve "accuracy" in the sense of aiming, but they improve "pattern density" and "pattern uniformity." By constricting the shot charge as it exits the barrel, the choke tube helps keep the pellets together longer, resulting in a more concentrated and effective pattern at extended ranges, thus increasing the likelihood of striking the target with enough pellets for a clean kill.

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Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail	Benefit
Product Name	Carlson's Bismuth Bone Buster Choke Tube	Optimized for modern hunting with non-toxic shot
UPC	09214	Unique product identifier
Gauge	20 Gauge	Specific fit for 20 GA shotguns
Choke System	Browning Invector-Plus	Wide compatibility with popular shotgun models
Constriction	Mid-Range	Versatile for 25-45 yard shots, balanced pattern
Material	17-4 Stainless Steel	Exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, high strength
Shot Compatibility	Bismuth, Steel, HEVI-Shot, TSS, Lead	Handles all modern and traditional ammunition
Primary Use	Waterfowl Hunting, Upland Bird Hunting, General Shooting	Enhanced performance in diverse hunting scenarios