Texas Hunting Forum

Choosing a turkey choke.

Posted By: Booner1

Choosing a turkey choke. - 07/17/15 06:18 PM

Can anyone give me some insight on a tried and tested turkey choke. I have a Mosberg 935 3 1/2" and a Remington 870 3" and also a Charles Daly 20 ga. 3" that has the Remington threads on the choke tubes. I would like to hunt with my 20 ga. next spring season and see if I can get a bird with it. I bought the Truglo gobbler stopper for my 935 and I didn't like it at all, I think it was to constrictive as the shot just blew out of the barrel with a 3 1/2" load and didn't put much on the target at 30 yds. A full choke with the same load did much better but I would like some improvement. It doesn't really matter which gun I use if you have suggestions on a choke and shot combo. Thanks for you input.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 07/19/15 01:24 AM

Guess it's to early for anyone to be thinking about spring turkey hunting? I already have several different types of ammo, guess I'll buy several different choke tubes and try them out.
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 07/19/15 02:57 AM

What shells have you tried in the Mossberg? What is the constriction on the Gobbler Stopper? What size paper were you shooting at at 30yds and how many hits were inside a 10" circle?
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 07/19/15 03:07 AM

Here is the best place to learn about patterning turkey guns. If you're really serious start reloading tungsten shot. I can put 400+ in a 10" circle at 40 yds with a 2 oz load. But it cost $60/lb last time I ordered any and a 5# minimum. The problem with commercial shells is every time you find a good shell the mfg changes something, they are not available, etc, etc. For me the shell is the cheapest part of the hunt after driving 6 hrs one way.

http://www.gobblernation.com/phpBB3/index.php
Posted By: nasreen

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 08/09/15 12:29 PM

nice post it helps me alot cornish hen recipe
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 08/10/15 02:22 AM

I'll narrow the search down a little for you

http://www.gobblernation.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=13

or you could join and ask a few questions.
Posted By: John Humbert

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 08/17/15 04:30 AM

Funny story. I have a Yildez 12ga O/U I bought for turkey hunting. Got the extra full and turkey chokes, because my expected shots were going to be 40-50 yards. Well, you guessed it - turkey hunting this past spring had gobblers sneak in behind me and set up not 10 yards from where I was sitting and wouldn't move. Took a shot a gobbler and it was DOT - and when I went to clean it - the freaking wad was buried deep into one breast.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/04/15 09:15 PM

I'm going to experiment with different chokes and shot for both the 20 and the 12 ga. I'll post the results after I am done.
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/07/15 12:18 PM

Originally Posted By: John Humbert
Funny story. I have a Yildez 12ga O/U I bought for turkey hunting. Got the extra full and turkey chokes, because my expected shots were going to be 40-50 yards. Well, you guessed it - turkey hunting this past spring had gobblers sneak in behind me and set up not 10 yards from where I was sitting and wouldn't move. Took a shot a gobbler and it was DOT - and when I went to clean it - the freaking wad was buried deep into one breast.


LOL...I think you need to aim a tad higher.

Gman
Posted By: thedoveshooter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/10/15 12:49 PM

Trial and error using multiple chokes and shells is about the only way to truly know. Also, a tighter choke does not always mean a tighter pattern, especially with the newer turkey loads' new shotshell wads. For example, my Beretta hates the extra full choke but loves a regular full with Federal tightwad shells. And with older Federal shells without that wad it likes the extra full.
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/11/15 12:06 PM

Originally Posted By: thedoveshooter
Trial and error using multiple chokes and shells is about the only way to truly know. Also, a tighter choke does not always mean a tighter pattern, especially with the newer turkey loads' new shotshell wads. For example, my Beretta hates the extra full choke but loves a regular full with Federal tightwad shells. And with older Federal shells without that wad it likes the extra full.


Good point!

I never thought I would find a choke and load better then my Nitro's and a Jellyhead choke, but I tried the Federal Mag Heavyweight and a TruLock choke made specifically for the Federal wad. That Mag shot from Federal is like hitting them with Thors hammer.

Gman
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/13/15 01:44 PM

I spoke with the good folks from Carlson chokes for a good bit on the subject of choke and load combinations and they have a world of knowledge on the subject. It would seem that all I need to do is choose the load and they can custom taylor a choke tube with the proper constriction for my gun to achieve maximum performance. going to order 1 choke for each gun and see how it performs.
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/16/15 09:34 PM

They are one of the best! Good luck.
Posted By: dawaba

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/16/15 11:30 PM

Originally Posted By: thedoveshooter
Trial and error using multiple chokes and shells is about the only way to truly know. Also, a tighter choke does not always mean a tighter pattern, especially with the newer turkey loads' new shotshell wads. For example, my Beretta hates the extra full choke but loves a regular full with Federal tightwad shells. And with older Federal shells without that wad it likes the extra full.


This is true regarding chokes. I own a Savage 24 O/U with the .223 over a 3" 12 ga. Some 20 years ago, I started experimenting with several aftermarket chokes that worked well in other shotguns. My favorite turkey load was 2 oz of copper-plated fives, and the specialized turkey chokes scattered the pellets all over the place from the Savage. The Full choke from the Savage did a little better, but the factory Modified choke put 70% of the pellets in a pattern you could cover with a coffee-cup saucer. It was apparent that this gun was an oddball in that the Full and specialized chokes were over-constricting the shot column.

So, the moral of this story is...keep an open mind and don't be hide-bound by the "Full" stamped on the choke.
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/19/15 04:03 AM

I've got a Anthony Zoli that will do that also, with 4's, 5's, or 6's, at 10 yds. bs
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/21/15 05:27 PM



Federal Heavyweight Mag Shot #7 thru a TruLock custom choke at 40yds.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/21/15 06:19 PM

Originally Posted By: Gamblinman


Federal Heavyweight Mag Shot #7 thru a TruLock custom choke at 40yds.


What gun? Was it a 3" shell. I have yet to get anything remotely close to that at 30 yards. I do know that I will be trying 2 3/4" and 3" to pattern this time around. With the 3 1/2" shell they are being over constricted.
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/21/15 08:39 PM

Booner1 did you check out or join Gobbler Nation that I linked to earlier. There is a ton of information there on guns, chokes, shell, etc.

Some of us with our own handloads routinely get over 400 in a 10" circle at 40yds, with tungsten loads. They're not cheap, but the tungsten is 18g/cc. It is the densest shot you can buy, last I bought was $60/lb.

Good luck.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/24/15 01:56 AM

Originally Posted By: customcutter
Booner1 did you check out or join Gobbler Nation that I linked to earlier. There is a ton of information there on guns, chokes, shell, etc.

Some of us with our own handloads routinely get over 400 in a 10" circle at 40yds, with tungsten loads. They're not cheap, but the tungsten is 18g/cc. It is the densest shot you can buy, last I bought was $60/lb.

Good luck.


I did sign up, that site is very confusing to me so far to find the threads where they talk about guns, chokes and shot.
Posted By: customcutter

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/25/15 02:13 AM

http://www.gobblernation.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=13

The Link above is just the gun section of the forum.

You will find information on patterning and chokes for the 12 gauges in the big bore section.

Information on your 20 gauge will be in the small bore section.

If you are interested in reloading it will be in the reloading section.

Hope this helps.
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/25/15 09:20 AM

Originally Posted By: Booner1
Originally Posted By: Gamblinman


Federal Heavyweight Mag Shot #7 thru a TruLock custom choke at 40yds.


What gun? Was it a 3" shell. I have yet to get anything remotely close to that at 30 yards. I do know that I will be trying 2 3/4" and 3" to pattern this time around. With the 3 1/2" shell they are being over constricted.


Remington 870 Super Mag. Those were 3.5" shells.

Also, try here to find the information you are looking for:

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php

Gman
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/25/15 04:45 PM

Gman, where did you get the turkey splattering targets? Very informative info on the website you posted. I'm going to order a couple of Trulock and a couple of Carlson chokes and see what my monster will eat.
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 09/27/15 02:32 AM

Originally Posted By: Booner1
Gman, where did you get the turkey splattering targets?



http://www.amazon.com/BWC-35403-PreGame-Turkey-12x18/dp/B00AU6DRMM
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/25/15 02:03 PM

Okay, after doing some extensive research regarding turkey loads and chokes, I have finally decided and went ahead and ordered a Trulock Federal Heavyweight #7 choke for my 20 gauge, I wanted a Long Beard XR also but Winchester doesn't make that ammo in 20 ga. I also ordered that same choke for my 870 and the Trulock Long Beard XR #6 choke. Trulock has been patterning and doing development on the Long Beard XR for the Mossberg 835/935 and the #5 shot and the #6 shot chokes are going into production and will be ready in about a week and a half and I will be waiting for that to arrive also. At this time they are not going to make the Heavyweight #7 for the Mossberg but if enough request are made they will do so. I will begin patterning all of my choke as soon as they arrive and will post the results. Kinda crazy I know, that I am thinking about spring turkey season when the general season for deer hasn't even begun yet.
Posted By: scalebuster

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/25/15 02:33 PM

If you want to shoot turkey that far why don't you just take a 22.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/25/15 03:33 PM

Hunting on USFS lands and no rifles of any kind are allowed but with that being said there is nothing more exciting than calling in and decoying a tom and taking him with a shotgun.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/28/15 01:50 AM

New chokes are here and will be shooting tomorrow after work for round one of patterning the Long Beard XR shot and choke and then the Federal Heavyweight #7 choke and shot. I will try to post pics afterwards.
Posted By: Gamblinman

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/28/15 02:02 PM

I sure hope the TruLock choke and Federal Heavyweight loads work for you. They replaced the Nitro Ammo loads I have used for years. They hit like Thor's hammer.

George at TruLock cut me a choke for my SP-10 so I can use my 10 gauge Federal Heavyweight loads. The pattern looks really good and can't wait till spring to try it out on some gobblers.
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/28/15 02:46 PM

I may have to shoot another day with the wind howling like it is. I am very excited to try my new Trulocks!!!!!
Posted By: Booner1

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 10/29/15 02:16 AM

Wind was really high this afternoon and at about 6 bucks per shot for the Heavyweight 7's I want to wait for a more optimal time to shoot them.
Posted By: jhprice2

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 11/02/15 07:52 PM

dont blame you for that those heavyweights add up fast!
Posted By: ronlhodges

Re: Choosing a turkey choke. - 11/05/15 04:58 PM

Just incase your interested Remington makes a replacement Turkey Barrel for the 870 . A little expensive but I've heard it's well worth the money if you do a lot of Turkey hunting or even grouse or pheasant hunting . Check it out : Rem 870 Turkey Barrel
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