Choke questions

[Djfan]

I have a youth 20 gauge that I want to shoot TSS out of for turkey (of course). All I want to know is what choke works best. I don't want to buy lots of boxed from many different manufacturers up front. I want some guidance first.

So, If I use TSS should I start with a full choke, Modified...? I can't seem to find out what the ammo manufacturers recommend. Simple question. One source said use .650 - .666, but what the heck is that? Full? More tight than full? Do I need to get a special choke for this ammo?

Any help would be cool. Even if you have to talk like I am a kid, I don't care. I just want to know the initial guide line here, and start there with the different manufacturers ammo options.

Thanks. Sorry I'm a bit frustrated. This seems like a simple question to help a guy start the process.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I would say start with the choke you have and see how it patterns?

Normally the default I've seen is modified, but every manufacturer defines the choke size differently so there's no industry standard for actual measurements....



What are you planning to hunt and what distance? That will make a difference too. Turkey you'll likely want the tightest pattern available but ducks over decoys you'll likely want a fairly open choke




No special choke required, but some may perform better than others but the same is true for all ammo not just TSS

 

[Djfan]

I would say start with the choke you have and see how it patterns?

Normally the default I've seen is modified, but every manufacturer defines the choke size differently so there's no industry standard for actual measurements....



What are you planning to hunt and what distance? That will make a difference too. Turkey you'll likely want the tightest pattern available but ducks over decoys you'll likely want a fairly open choke




No special choke required, but some may perform better than others but the same is true for all ammo not just TSS

I get this, and of course there will be some patterning, experimenting, etc. But, due to the cost of the ammo, I want to start with as much basic info as possible.

I don't see any TSS manufacturer website with recommendations anywhere.

 

[Djfan]

What I'm hoping for is someone to say "I shoot my 20 Gauge with TSS Federal (or whatever rand) with a full choke and love it" or something like that. At least that would be a start.

 

[brushcreek]

for turkeys I would start with full choke and see how it patterns

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I get this, and of course there will be some patterning, experimenting, etc. But, due to the cost of the ammo, I want to start with as much basic info as possible.

I don't see any TSS manufacturer website with recommendations anywhere.

Well what animal and what distance do you think you'll use it for?

Or an all around gun?

 

[Djfan]

Well what animal and what distance do you think you'll use it for?

Or an all around gun?

Turkey primarily. I'm open to other game as well. Water fowl makes a lot of sense. I can't stand the way steel spreads out.

 

[El Jason]

Turkey primarily. I'm open to other game as well. Water fowl makes a lot of sense. I can't stand the way steel spreads out.

Waterfowl over decoys or jump shooting?

For turkeys, I’d look at full or extra full. Depends on how far you want to shoot.

For ducks I typically shoot I/C over decoys. Late season I’ll push it to modified or improved modified. This is using steel, so the equivalent choke for TSS would be a little tighter.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Turkey primarily. I'm open to other game as well. Water fowl makes a lot of sense. I can't stand the way steel spreads out.

I'd start with full to cover turkey. Good base point and can work for waterfowl if you're a crack shot.

But if money is an issue to get two chokes I would default to modified as that works ok for everything

 

[Djfan]

I'd start with full to cover turkey. Good base point and can work for waterfowl if you're a crack shot.

But if money is an issue to get two chokes I would default to modified as that works ok for everything

If I don't want to buy another choke, is that 20 gauge in full ok? If not, I have a 410 in full as well.

 

[Djfan]

Waterfowl over decoys or jump shooting?

For turkeys, I’d look at full or extra full. Depends on how far you want to shoot.

For ducks I typically shoot I/C over decoys. Late season I’ll push it to modified or improved modified. This is using steel, so the equivalent choke for TSS would be a little tighter.

What steel do you use for waterfowl that you like? I hate it all. Everyone I have tried has been a bust. It spreads too quickly, IMO. I'm shooting 12 gauge.

 

[El Jason]

What steel do you use for waterfowl that you like? I hate it all. Everyone I have tried has been a bust. It spreads too quickly, IMO. I'm shooting 12 gauge.

I’ve always used Federal blue box. Usually number 2 shot. It kills ducks just fine.

 

[Djfan]

I’ve always used Federal blue box. Usually number 2 shot. It kills ducks just fine.

I/C choke 12 gauge?

 

[El Jason]

I/C choke 12 gauge?

Yes

 

[Mudranger1]

I'm not paying the price for TSS but a simple google search started here. And there are so many YouTube videos on this it's crazy. Have you tried searching the interwebs? Sorry for the reply but it's the truth

 

[Steelsearchin]

Don't overthink it. TSS shells are pricier than choke tubes. Apparently that stuff will kill turkeys at crazy distance, if you're into that.

My kid has killed six toms with 20 gauges, and I've never bought TSS or a 20 gauge turkey choke. Started him with 1 ounce lead pheasant loads and regular full, now he shoots hevi, and is good to 40 yards with a regular full choke.

As for the 12 gauge and I/C and steel, could be a gun fit issue. We pile up snows at distance with that combo, and they aren't much bigger than a mallard. Experts, blue box Federal, cheap Rios, doesn't really matter, just gotta hit em. 2s, 1s, Bs all work. Hevishot and bismuth are great, but not always needed.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

.666,

Anything but that one.

Jokes aside, you don't want to choke it down too much. Tss shoots tight as it is. I have a trulock .590 in my Mossberg and it gives me a volleyball sized (anything but the metric system, right?) pattern at 25 yards, which is in my opinion a little on the tighter side.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

Also practice with regular bird shot. Idk if anybody said it but shoot a big piece of poster board at 10 and then 25 before you even put the tss in

 

[Djfan]

Also practice with regular bird shot. Idk if anybody said it but shoot a big piece of poster board at 10 and then 25 before you even put the tss in

I did that again at the beginning of the season. Always a good idea.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

If I don't want to buy another choke, is that 20 gauge in full ok? If not, I have a 410 in full as well.

Full would be fine, just means you need to be more accurate as you'll have less wiggle room