Elevating Your Shotgun Performance: The Winchester Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube

Are you a dedicated hunter, a competitive shooter, or simply a shotgun enthusiast looking to maximize the performance and longevity of your firearm? Understanding and optimizing your shotgun's choke system is paramount to achieving consistent shot patterns, extending your effective range, and ensuring the utmost reliability from your trusted companion. The Winchester Repeating Arms Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube, specifically model 613050 with UPC 048702186066, stands as a prime example of precision engineering designed to meet the demands of serious shooters.

This comprehensive guide will explore the critical role of choke tubes, delve into the innovative design of the Winchester Invector-Plus system, and explain why the Extra Full constriction is an indispensable tool for specific shooting scenarios.

What is a Shotgun Choke Tube and Why Does it Matter?

At its core, a choke tube is a removable constriction device located at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel. Its primary function is to control the spread of the shot pellets as they exit the barrel, influencing the pattern density and effective range of your shotgun. Without a choke, pellets would disperse too rapidly, severely limiting accuracy and effective distance.

The right choke tube can:

• Optimize Pattern Density: Ensure a sufficient number of pellets hit your target for a clean, ethical take or a decisive break.
• Extend Effective Range: By keeping the shot tighter for longer, you can engage targets at greater distances with confidence.
• Improve Versatility: Allow a single shotgun to be used effectively for various shooting disciplines and hunting applications by simply changing the choke tube.
• Protect Your Barrel: A well-designed choke system can reduce wear and tear on the barrel’s interior.

Choosing the correct choke for the task at hand is crucial. Factors such as target size, distance, type of game, and even weather conditions can influence which choke will yield the best results.

Introducing the Winchester Invector-Plus System: A Legacy of Innovation

Winchester Repeating Arms has a storied history of pioneering advancements in firearm technology, and their Invector-Plus interchangeable choke tube system is a testament to this legacy. Designed to work in harmony with specific Winchester and Browning shotguns featuring "back-bored" barrels, the Invector-Plus system offers a superior solution for pattern consistency and firearm protection.

The Synergy of Invector-Plus and Back-Boring

Many modern Winchester and Browning shotguns feature "back-boring," a manufacturing process where the internal diameter of the barrel is slightly enlarged beyond standard specifications. This subtle enlargement reduces friction on the shot column, which in turn:

• Reduces Recoil: Less friction means less resistance, translating to a smoother shooting experience.
• Increases Muzzle Velocity: Pellets encounter less drag, allowing them to maintain higher speeds.
• Improves Pattern Uniformity: The shot column is less deformed as it travels down the barrel, leading to more consistent patterns.

The Invector-Plus choke tube system is meticulously engineered to complement these back-bored barrels. Unlike conventional choke tubes that might create a sudden constriction point, the Invector-Plus tubes feature a longer, more gradual taper. This extended taper is a critical design element that allows the shot column to smoothly transition from the back-bored barrel diameter to the desired constriction, minimizing pellet deformation and disruption.

Key Benefits of the Invector-Plus Long Taper Design:

• Consistent Patterns: The primary advantage is the remarkably consistent and evenly distributed shot patterns it produces. This means fewer "holes" in your pattern and a higher probability of striking your target with multiple pellets.
• Uniform Densities: Beyond just consistency, the Invector-Plus promotes patterns with highly uniform pellet distribution, ensuring your target receives a well-distributed payload.
• Reduced Fliers: "Fliers" are individual pellets that stray significantly from the main shot pattern, often due to deformation or erratic trajectory. The gentle constriction of the Invector-Plus system drastically reduces the occurrence of fliers, contributing to tighter, more predictable patterns.
• Enhanced Performance with Various Loads: While the specific choke (613050) is approved for lead shot only, the Invector-Plus system as a whole is designed to perform optimally across a wide range of lead loads, delivering reliable results whether you're using light target loads or heavy hunting loads.

Eliminating Gas Blow-By: Protecting Your Investment

One of the most significant advantages of the Invector-Plus design is its ability to eliminate gas slipping between the choke tube and the barrel. In some traditional choke systems, especially after repeated use, hot, high-pressure gases can escape through minute gaps between the choke tube threads and the barrel threads. This phenomenon, known as "gas blow-by," can lead to several detrimental effects:

• Damage to the Choke Tube: Repeated gas erosion can pit and corrode the choke tube, compromising its integrity and performance.
• Damage to the Barrel: More critically, gas blow-by can cause erosion and pitting in the barrel threads, potentially leading to irreversible damage to your firearm's most crucial component.
• Difficulty in Removal: Over time, gas blow-by can cause the choke tube to seize or become excessively difficult to remove, requiring specialized tools or even gunsmith intervention.

The Invector-Plus system's precise machining and design create a tight, secure seal that effectively prevents this gas leakage. This protects both your valuable choke tube and, more importantly, the barrel of your Winchester or Browning shotgun, ensuring a longer lifespan and consistent performance.

Deep Dive: The Extra Full Constriction (613050 / UPC 048702186066)

The Winchester Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube (model 613050, UPC 048702186066) represents the tightest level of constriction commonly available for shotguns. With a specified constriction diameter of .040 inches and recommended for targets at 45+ yards, this choke is engineered for maximum pattern retention over long distances.

When to Choose an Extra Full Choke:

An Extra Full choke is not a general-purpose choke; its specialized nature makes it ideal for specific applications where extreme range and dense patterns are paramount.

Common Scenarios for Using an Extra Full Choke:

1. Turkey Hunting: This is arguably the most common and critical application for an Extra Full choke. Turkey hunting often requires precise shot placement at varying and sometimes extended distances. The dense, focused pattern of an Extra Full choke ensures maximum pellet count in the turkey's head and neck area, crucial for a clean, ethical kill. Many dedicated turkey hunters even opt for super-full or gobbler-specific chokes that are even tighter than a standard Extra Full.
2. Waterfowl Hunting (Long Range): For pass-shooting large waterfowl like geese or long-range ducks, an Extra Full choke can provide the necessary pattern density to cleanly bring down birds at extended ranges (e.g., 45-60+ yards). However, remember this specific choke is Approved for Lead Only. If hunting with steel shot or other non-toxic shot materials, a different choke rated for those materials would be required. Always verify your choke's compatibility with your chosen ammunition type.
3. Specific Clay Target Disciplines (Specialty Shots): While Modified or Light Modified chokes are common for trap and skeet, some competitive shooters might use an Extra Full for specific long-range targets in sporting clays or specialized long-range trap events where targets are presented at extreme distances. This requires exceptional precision and consistency from the shooter.
4. Predator Hunting: For varmints like coyotes or foxes, an Extra Full choke can provide the necessary pattern density to ensure a decisive hit at longer ranges with appropriate lead shot.

Understanding the "Lead Only" Restriction:

It is absolutely crucial to note that the Winchester Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube, model 613050 (UPC 048702186066), is explicitly Approved: Lead Only. This means it is designed and rated for use solely with lead shot ammunition. Attempting to use steel shot or other harder, non-toxic shot materials (such as bismuth, tungsten-matrix, or ITM) through this choke can lead to severe damage to the choke tube itself and potentially the shotgun barrel. Steel shot, being much harder than lead, does not deform as readily and can exert excessive pressure on the choke's constriction point, leading to bulging, cracking, or even catastrophic failure of the choke and barrel. Always adhere to manufacturer guidelines regarding ammunition compatibility.

The Material Advantage: 17-4 Stainless Steel

The choice of material for a choke tube is not arbitrary; it directly impacts its durability, corrosion resistance, and performance characteristics. The Winchester Invector-Plus 613050 choke is constructed from 17-4 Stainless Steel.

Why 17-4 Stainless Steel?

17-4 PH (Precipitation Hardening) Stainless Steel is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant alloy widely favored in demanding applications, including aerospace, medical, and firearms components. Its key properties include:

• Exceptional Strength and Hardness: 17-4 Stainless Steel can achieve very high strength and hardness levels through heat treatment, making it incredibly resistant to wear, deformation, and the stresses exerted by hundreds or thousands of shotgun shells passing through it.
• Superior Corrosion Resistance: As a stainless steel, it offers excellent resistance to rust and corrosion, even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions, moisture, and the byproducts of gunpowder combustion. This is vital for a component that directly interfaces with propellants and external elements.
• Good Machinability: Despite its hardness, 17-4 stainless steel can be precisely machined, allowing Winchester to create the exact dimensions and the critical long taper required for optimal Invector-Plus performance.
• Heat Resistance: It maintains its properties even under the localized heat generated by rapid firing, contributing to consistent performance and longevity.

This robust material ensures that your Winchester Invector-Plus choke tube will withstand the rigors of extensive use, providing reliable service for years to come.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and routine maintenance are essential for maximizing the lifespan and performance of your choke tube and shotgun.

Installation:

1. Ensure Firearm is Unloaded: Always, always verify your shotgun is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before handling or modifying it.
2. Clean Barrel Threads: Before installing a new choke tube, thoroughly clean the internal threads of your shotgun barrel and the external threads of the choke tube. Remove any carbon residue, old grease, or debris.
3. Apply Choke Tube Grease: Apply a thin layer of high-quality choke tube grease (anti-seize compound) to the threads of the choke tube. This prevents galling, reduces friction during installation, and makes removal easier.
4. Insert and Hand-Tighten: Insert the choke tube into the barrel and hand-tighten it until it seats firmly.
5. Use Choke Wrench: Use the appropriate choke tube wrench to fully tighten the choke tube. Do not overtighten, but ensure it is snug to prevent it from loosening during firing. The Winchester Invector-Plus 613050 is a "Flush" style choke, meaning it sits flush with the end of the barrel when properly installed.

Maintenance:

• Regular Cleaning: After each shooting session, remove the choke tube and thoroughly clean both the choke and the barrel threads. Carbon and plastic wad residue can build up, leading to a seized choke if not regularly cleaned.
• Reapply Grease: Reapply choke tube grease before reinstalling the choke tube.
• Inspect for Damage: Periodically inspect your choke tube for any signs of pitting, cracking, or bulging, especially if you're a high-volume shooter. While 17-4 stainless steel is durable, extreme conditions or improper use can still cause damage.

Why Choose Winchester Invector-Plus?

When faced with a multitude of choke tube options, why should the Winchester Invector-Plus system, and specifically the 12 Gauge Extra Full 613050, be your top choice for compatible firearms?

• Engineered for Performance: This system isn't an afterthought; it's an integral part of how Winchester and Browning shotguns achieve their renowned accuracy and consistency. The symbiotic relationship with back-bored barrels truly sets it apart.
• Proven Reliability: Winchester's reputation in the firearms industry is built on decades of reliable, high-performance products. The Invector-Plus system continues this tradition, offering a trusted solution for shooters worldwide.
• Damage Prevention: The elimination of gas blow-by is a critical feature that protects your valuable firearm investment from internal erosion and wear, ensuring its longevity and resale value.
• Optimized for Specific Needs: The Extra Full constriction provides the focused pattern density necessary for specialized applications like turkey hunting or long-range waterfowl, giving you a distinct advantage in the field.
• High-Quality Materials: The use of 17-4 Stainless Steel ensures that this choke tube is not just a consumable item but a durable component designed for years of consistent use.

Whether you're patterning your shotgun for the upcoming turkey season, preparing for a challenging sporting clays event, or simply striving for the tightest possible groups at extended ranges, the Winchester Repeating Arms Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube (model 613050, UPC 048702186066) is an intelligent upgrade that delivers tangible performance improvements. It's more than just a piece of metal; it's a precision instrument designed to help you achieve your shooting goals with confidence and consistency.

Key Specifications: Winchester Invector-Plus 12 Gauge Extra Full Choke Tube

Feature	Specification
Brand	Winchester Repeating Arms
Model	Invector Plus
Gauge	12 Gauge
Material	17-4 Stainless Steel
Constriction	Extra Full
Diameter	.040
Recommended Range	45+ yds
Approved	Lead Only
Configuration	Invector-Plus
Style	Flush
Weight	3.20 oz
Chokes Included	One Choke
Manufacturer Part #	613050
UPC	048702186066
SKU	43158