What Turkey Choke?

I hunt Turkey's with a 20 gauge.

I use a Primos Tightwad (available from many places on-line). With Hornady 3" 20 gauge Mag #5 Turkey loads it has put 218 out of 220 pellets in a 12"X12" target.

Depending how far you want/need to shoot a Turkey choke may be totally un-necessary.

I already got both my Turkey's this year, 22 lb'er on opening day @ 19 yards. Jake yesterday (14 lbs 2 oz) @ 28 yards.

I could have taken the closer one with a modified choke without issue. My pattern was starting to spread and ended up with half a dozen pellets in the breast on the 28 yards shot - so in the second case the extra-full choke no doubt saved further damage.

Using the tightwad can be a detriment if they get really close because you CAN miss with a shotgun at close range and an uber-tight choke.

Match the choke to the probable distance you will be shooting.
 
I've shot birds at 8 yards, 15 yards and 38 yards. I currently use a Primos Tightwad in an 870 with Winchester grey box 3" #5's.

I am looking for a choke/ammo combo that will let me shoot towards 50 yards if needed.

I ordered a Patternmaster Anaconda Striker Turkey Choke and will likely sample some HeviShot #6's and some Winchester Longbeard.

I'm looking to have some fun with it, a new toy I guess...
 
For the 870, the best turkey choke was the Remington extra full turkey choke. Pair that with the X-Tended range Winchester ammo (it's expensive, I know) but you'll be surprised by the distance - if you do your part, 50 yards is not out of the question. Remember, pattern your gun!
 
The only turkey choke I own is for my 20 gauge SX3 or Citori (Invector+). It's a Carlson's extended turkey choke and .585 diameter. Seems to me it was the only one you could get from them for 20 gauge but I see there have .585, .575 and .565 now. I believe 20 gauge Invector+ barrels are backbored to .630 diameter which gives 45 mils constriction with my choke. I use the Kent Diamond shot turkey loads in #6 and they do well.

In my 12 gauge SxS, I use the 2-3/4" Federal Flite-control shells. The load is 1-1/2 oz of #6 which does well out to 40+ yards with the left barrel (29 mils constriction) and 35 yards with the right barrel (17 mils constriction).
 
Squadron303 said:
Carlson's Long Beard for Crio barrels and Winchester Long Beard ammo
I've seen them at Bass Pro
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I own and tried a lot of chokes ( pure gold, indian creek, comp n, rem, jelly etc etc) as did most of the guys I hunt with. Best choke so far without doing anything else to barrel is Carlson long beard choke and ammo.
 
Mount Sweetness said:
I've shot birds at 8 yards, 15 yards and 38 yards. I currently use a Primos Tightwad in an 870 with Winchester grey box 3" #5's.

I am looking for a choke/ammo combo that will let me shoot towards 50 yards if needed.

I ordered a Patternmaster Anaconda Striker Turkey Choke and will likely sample some HeviShot #6's and some Winchester Longbeard.

I'm looking to have some fun with it, a new toy I guess...
Click to expand...

Don't bother with the Hevi, grab some Winchester Longbeard XR magnum and be prepared to be amazed by the awesome patterns. The 3" #6's with Jellyhead choke produce tighter patterns at 50 yards than any 3 1/2" shell/choke combination I have tried at 40 yards.
 
Squadron303 said:
For the 870, the best turkey choke was the Remington extra full turkey choke. Pair that with the X-Tended range Winchester ammo (it's expensive, I know) but you'll be surprised by the distance - if you do your part, 50 yards is not out of the question. Remember, pattern your gun!
Click to expand...

I am using the Remington extra fill turkey choke as well with winchester long beard #5. Very happy with this combo. Three birds last year and two do far this year for this gun and choke combo.
 
When it comes to chokes the constriction and ammo are the two most important in the combo. I have tested turkey guns so much over the years I have it almost down to any constriction for a gun. just the other day I got asked about a 12 ga choke so I went and had a look. I counted 13 different 20 ga chokes for a Benelli that I have tested. If I knew what you where shooting I could advise to start.
 
canadian hunter312 said:
Don't bother with the Hevi, grab some Winchester Longbeard XR magnum and be prepared to be amazed by the awesome patterns. The 3" #6's with Jellyhead choke produce tighter patterns at 50 yards than any 3 1/2" shell/choke combination I have tried at 40 yards.
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My Benelli did not shoot well with the Primos jelly head, sold it and bought a Carlson's instead.

It totally makes sense how Carlson's and Winchester long beard paired up. I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't done this. Some chokes are obviously designed for a specific ammo, why wouldn't the choke manufacturers recommend the best ammo for their choke.
 
Adrian,
Here is what I have to work with:
12ga 3" chamber, Remington 870 Express, 28" barrel

Primos Tightwad Choke .665
Patternmaster Anaconda Striker Turkey Choke .670

- Winchester "grey box" #5's, 3", 1210 fps, 1 7/8oz, copperplated lead
- Winchester Longbeard XR #4's, 3", 1200 fps, 1 3/4oz
- Hevi Shot Magnum Blend, 3", (#5,6,7 Blend)
- Hevi Shot Hevi-13, 3", #6

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
 
I find a slower load will pattern much better in a extra full choke. Try some longbeard.or federal flight controll wads shells
 
For late season birds that don't want to decoy I use a mossberg 535 with an ati collapsible stock and anti jam forend topped with a 4x32 Redfield. The choke I use is a Wilson precision custom extended ported choke designed for 1-1/4 oz #4 as that's what I used to reload. The constriction comes out at .650 and it's about 3" long. I maintain a killing pattern over 70 yards with my reloads

Nowadays I use only 7/8 oz #6 copper plated reloads at 1350 fps.

Whether I use my turkey rig or any of my sxs guns with fixed full chokes I've never failed to kill a turkey within 40 yards with a single shot

Rarely do I use factory loads but when I do its 2-3/4" #5 Rio mini mags or Winchester Grey box the 10 count one with the turkey on it
Years ago I stocked up on every brand that was available locally to test. Those patterned best in my sxs guns

I think it's an overrated subject personally. I've killed toms at 20 yards with short cylinder barreled guns with only a pellet or two in the meat. I've also missed a toms head at 10 yards because the bead was bigger than his head. The expression on his face was so priceless I let him run off after he checked out my super tight pattern on the tree beside his head

Just think how many ppl shoot 16 yard trap with a mod choke and less than an ounce oz shot. That's nearly a 30 yard shot by the Time most pull the trigger and I know I've run more than 50 straight several times. That's pretty good odds of hitting a turkey head and neck

I'm not saying it isn't fun testing loads and chokes but be careful not to become the guy that's afraid of his gun because of it

Best of luck
 
Mount Sweetness said:
Adrian,
Here is what I have to work with:
12ga 3" chamber, Remington 870 Express, 28" barrel

Primos Tightwad Choke .665
Patternmaster Anaconda Striker Turkey Choke .670

- Winchester "grey box" #5's, 3", 1210 fps, 1 7/8oz, copperplated lead
- Winchester Longbeard XR #4's, 3", 1200 fps, 1 3/4oz
- Hevi Shot Magnum Blend, 3", (#5,6,7 Blend)
- Hevi Shot Hevi-13, 3", #6

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the PatternMaster but they are suppose to be good and its the proper constriction. You want a .670 Ever choke has different tapers and this tends to be some issue with good patterns. Hevi 13 #6 should produce a great pattern, you should get about 190-200 at 40 yards with that combo. Clean the heck out of your barrel. I use white scotebrite on a cleaning rod and electric drill. Now I also know Winchester Longbeard in #6 -3in shoot good too. I would not use any other shot size other then #6 as most of the new shells have way more energy then one needs at 50 yards. Any Copper loads will work best with tighter Constrictions.

Hope that helps.
 
brybenn said:
For late season birds that don't want to decoy I use a mossberg 535 with an ati collapsible stock and anti jam forend topped with a 4x32 Redfield. The choke I use is a Wilson precision custom extended ported choke designed for 1-1/4 oz #4 as that's what I used to reload. The constriction comes out at .650 and it's about 3" long. I maintain a killing pattern over 70 yards with my reloads

Nowadays I use only 7/8 oz #6 copper plated reloads at 1350 fps.

Whether I use my turkey rig or any of my sxs guns with fixed full chokes I've never failed to kill a turkey within 40 yards with a single shot

Rarely do I use factory loads but when I do its 2-3/4" #5 Rio mini mags or Winchester Grey box the 10 count one with the turkey on it
Years ago I stocked up on every brand that was available locally to test. Those patterned best in my sxs guns

I think it's an overrated subject personally. I've killed toms at 20 yards with short cylinder barreled guns with only a pellet or two in the meat. I've also missed a toms head at 10 yards because the bead was bigger than his head. The expression on his face was so priceless I let him run off after he checked out my super tight pattern on the tree beside his head

Just think how many ppl shoot 16 yard trap with a mod choke and less than an ounce oz shot. That's nearly a 30 yard shot by the Time most pull the trigger and I know I've run more than 50 straight several times. That's pretty good odds of hitting a turkey head and neck

I'm not saying it isn't fun testing loads and chokes but be careful not to become the guy that's afraid of his gun because of it

Best of luck
Click to expand...

Have any pictures of those 70 yard patterns?

With clays you only need a pellet or two to count as a hit where as a pellet or two in a turkey will result in a lost bird most times. The goal is a dense and even pattern and with every gun/choke/ammo combination throwing different patterns it's imperative to find what your gun likes. Therefore, it's definitely not an overrated subject, at least for those looking to drop the hammer on Mr Tom.
 
I know you were not asking me CH , but thought maybe some would find these interesting. Its not 70 yds but being it a 20 ga -50yds

N6mlAJ.jpg
 
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