Introduction
The gobble echoes through the crisp morning air, a sound that ignites the primal instincts within the dedicated turkey hunter. The thrill of the chase, the patience required, and the ultimate reward of a majestic tom turkey are all part of the allure. Success in this pursuit demands meticulous preparation, strategic thinking, and the right equipment. Among the most critical pieces of that equipment is the choke. A choke, seemingly a simple component of a shotgun, can make the difference between a successful hunt and a missed opportunity. This guide will navigate the complexities of selecting the “Best Choke For Turkey,” ensuring you are equipped to consistently bag your trophy. We’ll delve into understanding chokes, the factors to consider, specific recommendations, and the crucial step of patterning your shotgun, offering a comprehensive roadmap to turkey hunting excellence.
Understanding Chokes
The heart of a shotgun’s effectiveness lies in its ability to project a dense and effective pattern of shot. The choke is the key mechanism that controls this. It is a constricted section at the muzzle of a shotgun barrel, specifically designed to influence the spread of the shot as it exits the barrel. The primary purpose of a choke is to alter the size and density of the shot pattern at a given distance. Without a choke, the shot spreads out rapidly, limiting effective range. By constricting the shot, a choke concentrates the pellets, allowing hunters to engage targets at greater distances with improved accuracy.
Chokes come in various forms, each offering a different level of constriction. Understanding these different types is essential for choosing the “Best Choke For Turkey”.
Chokes can be fixed or interchangeable. A fixed choke is an integral part of the barrel, offering a permanent constriction. This type of choke is becoming less common, as it lacks the versatility of its interchangeable counterparts. While a fixed choke may be perfectly suitable for a specific load and hunting scenario, it limits the shooter’s ability to adapt to different situations.
Screw-in or interchangeable chokes, on the other hand, offer unparalleled versatility. They are threaded into the barrel, allowing the hunter to easily change chokes to match the ammunition being used and the anticipated range. This flexibility is invaluable for turkey hunting, where distances can vary dramatically.
Another option is an extended choke. These chokes extend beyond the end of the barrel, offering several potential advantages. They can improve shot pattern performance, reduce recoil, and provide a convenient surface for changing chokes. Some shooters find that the extended design also makes it easier to see and change chokes in the field.
Choke Constriction Explained
The term “constriction” refers to the degree to which a choke narrows the bore of the shotgun barrel. Different levels of constriction result in varying shot patterns at specific distances. The key to finding the “Best Choke For Turkey” often lies in understanding these constriction levels.
Full Choke: Offers the tightest pattern, generally around 70% of the shot within a 30-inch circle at forty yards. It’s often a good choice for turkey hunting at longer ranges, maximizing the pellet density on target.
Extra Full Choke: Provides an even tighter pattern than a Full choke, with typically 75% or more of the shot within a 30-inch circle at forty yards. This is a popular option for turkey hunters who want to extend their effective range. The extra constriction helps to keep the shot pellets concentrated, delivering a high pellet count to the target. This type of choke is often considered a strong contender for the “Best Choke For Turkey” title.
Turkey Choke (or Super Full): This is the tightest constriction available for most shotguns. These chokes are designed specifically for turkey hunting and may deliver 80% or more of the shot within a 30-inch circle at forty yards. They are often optimized for specific turkey loads and pellet sizes.
The impact of choke constriction can be seen by comparing patterns at the same distance. A Full choke will deliver a tighter, denser pattern than a Modified choke, and an Extra Full choke will produce an even tighter pattern. When choosing the “Best Choke For Turkey,” consider the anticipated shooting distances and the type of ammunition being used.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Turkey Choke
Selecting the “Best Choke For Turkey” involves more than simply choosing a choke with a high degree of constriction. Several factors play a crucial role in determining which choke will deliver the best results for your particular setup and hunting style.
One of the most fundamental considerations is the gauge of your shotgun. Shotguns come in various gauges, such as twelve gauge and twenty gauge. Generally, the larger the gauge, the greater the potential for a dense pattern, assuming similar choke constriction and ammunition. While a twelve gauge shotgun typically offers a wider selection of choke options and ammunition choices, a twenty gauge can still be a formidable turkey hunting weapon with the right choke and load combination.
Barrel length can also affect choke performance. Longer barrels can sometimes provide improved patterns, as they allow the shot column to stabilize before exiting the barrel. However, the choke itself has a greater influence on pattern density than the barrel length.
The ammunition you use has a significant impact on the performance of any choke. Different types of shotgun shells are designed for different purposes, and some are better suited for turkey hunting than others. It’s crucial to match your choke to the specific ammunition you plan to use.
Turkey loads are specifically designed for maximum lethality at extended ranges. These loads often feature heavier shot weights and harder pellets, such as lead or tungsten. Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) has become a very popular choice for many turkey hunters, delivering incredible downrange energy and pattern density.
The size of the shot is also important. For turkey hunting, larger shot sizes (like four, five, or six) are often used because they have more energy and can effectively penetrate the tough hide of a turkey. Consult your ammunition packaging and consider the best patterns at various ranges.
Perhaps the most important consideration is the anticipated shooting distance. You should have a good idea of the distance at which you expect to take a shot. If you primarily hunt in areas where shots will be at closer ranges, a choke with less constriction might be appropriate. If you hunt in areas where shots will be longer, an Extra Full or Turkey choke may be needed.
Best Chokes for Turkey Hunting: Recommended Options
Now, let’s move into specific recommendations. Remember, the “Best Choke For Turkey” is subjective and depends on various factors. These recommendations offer starting points for choosing the right choke.
Twelve Gauge Options
Carlson’s Turkey Choke Tubes: Carlson’s is a well-respected name in the choke tube industry. Their turkey chokes are known for delivering excellent patterns and reliability.
Jebs Choke Tubes: Jebs is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality choke tubes, often using a distinctive porting design. Their chokes are known for their effectiveness, particularly with heavy loads.
Trulock Choke Tubes: Trulock offers a wide variety of choke tubes, including dedicated turkey chokes, providing excellent options for a variety of loads and gauges.
Twenty Gauge Options
Carlson’s Turkey Choke Tubes: Carlson’s offers exceptional choke tubes for the twenty gauge, as they do with the twelve gauge.
Jebs Choke Tubes: Jebs choke tubes are known for their consistency, offering excellent pattern densities.
Choosing a Choke for TSS
When using Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) ammunition, the choice of choke becomes even more critical. TSS pellets are denser than lead, allowing for tighter patterns and extended effective ranges. However, the high density can also place significant stress on the choke. Chokes specifically designed for TSS ammunition are built to withstand these pressures.
When hunting with TSS, consider choke tubes designed to handle the higher pressures and provide optimal patterns with TSS loads.
Specialized TSS Chokes: Seek out choke manufacturers who specifically state their chokes are designed and optimized for TSS loads.
Patterning Your Shotgun
The most crucial step in determining the “Best Choke For Turkey” is patterning your shotgun. Patterning involves shooting your shotgun at a target at a measured distance to evaluate the density and distribution of the shot pellets.
Safety First
Always prioritize safety. Wear appropriate eye and ear protection when shooting. Make sure your shotgun is pointed in a safe direction at all times.
Choosing a Target
Use a large paper target (a turkey target works well) that is large enough to catch the entire shot pattern.
Measuring Distance
Measure the distance from the muzzle of your shotgun to the target accurately. Forty yards is a standard distance for turkey hunting, although you may test at other distances to find the optimum configuration.
Shooting a Test Group
Fire at least three shots at the target with the chosen choke and load.
Analyzing the Pattern
Count the number of pellets within a ten-inch circle centered on the point of aim. A higher pellet count indicates a denser, more effective pattern.
Adjusting for Point of Impact
If your shot pattern is consistently high, low, or to the side, you may need to adjust your sights or the way you aim.
Tips for Turkey Hunting Success
Besides selecting the “Best Choke For Turkey,” several other factors contribute to success in the turkey woods.
Ammunition choice is a critical aspect of turkey hunting. Use turkey loads, and consider the pellet size.
Practice is essential for successful turkey hunting. Practice shooting at various distances to become familiar with the effective range of your chosen setup.
Conclusion
Finding the “Best Choke For Turkey” is a process that requires careful consideration, research, and experimentation. By understanding chokes, matching them to your shotgun and ammunition, and patterning your shotgun, you can significantly increase your chances of success in the turkey woods. Remember, the “Best Choke For Turkey” is the one that consistently delivers the most effective and dense pattern at the ranges you typically shoot. Armed with this knowledge and the right gear, you’ll be well-prepared to answer the call of the wild and bring home a trophy tom.
