Final answer:
Choke size affects the spread of shotgun shot, which can indirectly influence effective hitting range. Projectile physics shows that initial velocity and firing angle are key in determining a projectile's range, with muzzle velocity and air resistance affecting accuracy over distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between choke size and shot range in firearms is more nuanced than a direct correlation. In physics, particularly ballistics, choked barrels are used in shotguns to pattern the shot. 'Choke' refers to the constriction at the end of a shotgun barrel, affecting how the shot spreads when fired. The choke does not directly affect the range but rather the spread of the shot, which can indirectly influence the effective range for hitting a specific target size. Tighter chokes produce a narrower spread, maintaining a denser shot pattern over a longer distance. Consequently, this can increase the likelihood of hitting a target at a greater range since the shot column stays together longer.
Regarding projectile physics, the initial velocity and the firing angle are crucial factors affecting a projectile's range. For instance, a bullet fired from a gun sighted to hit targets at 100 m would fall below the aim point at 150 m due to gravity. A higher muzzle velocity would reduce the time the projectile is affected by gravity, potentially decreasing the bullet drop and therefore affecting the accuracy over different ranges. Additionally, air resistance influences the trajectory by slowing down the projectile, thus reducing range and increasing the bullet drop over distance.