Shotgun chokes

[Rooster52]

I was told by my gunsmith buddy that with todays ammo with the shot cups of today it is no longer nessaccery to use an extra full turke choke tube to maintain good tight patterns out to 40 yards.What do you say ?

 

[Coyotes-R-Us]

Hevi-shot... NO.
Steel Maybe not
Lead YES!!!

I use an extended extra full dead coyote .669 choke with every thing but 7 1/2 dove shells.:hump:

 

[Speeddmn]

So what choke would be best for the 7 1/2 lead? It is what I use on base to shoot birds. our ammo isnt very good either but i'd like the best pattern as possiable. I have the regular mod chockes and 1 full.

 

[Coyotes-R-Us]

On doves here I use a mod in my 870 super express 12 gauge . If I use small shot for grouse I'll use my factory full. ALL the rest I'm back to my supper full..
Just me. I don't hunt with dogs . When a bird goes down I want it DEAD and still have feathers falling so I can find it....
I'd rather miss then to hit it and can't find it.

 

[Rooster52]

What about HEVY SHOT for Turkeys?

 

[Gr8bawana]

You should probably take your shotgun out and pattern it to see how your choke actually works with
your ammo.

 

[blue devil]

By no means am I a turkey expert, but I use my regular full choke, no extra full choke tube, 3" 2's or 3's. I never use heavy shot or steel. ALWAYS LEAD Shot to get a lot of BB's out there. I've killed a turkey every year for the last 6 years. some close range, so out to 50 yards

 

[gwhunter]

You should probably take your shotgun out and pattern it to see how your choke actually works with
your ammo.

It's amazing how many people will jump in and give recommendations, with good intentions, without doing the basics.

 

[MKotur325]

You should probably take your shotgun out and pattern it to see how your choke actually works with
your ammo.

That! I have two upland loads that I run through my double with Improved modified as the second shot, they perform quite well on upland birds out to 40yds. Others have been somewhat sporatic. Also, I wouldn't limit yourself to "Turkey" loads specifically. If you want to try a few different types of ammo, look at Kent's Fast Lead or Fiocchi's Golden Pheasant. They are two less expensive options that still pack a heck of a wallop. I've not shot a turkey with either, but I have shot porcupines and Coos with Fiocchi's Golden pheasant load, and they didn't really enjoy the experience.

 

[Rooster52]

My wife and I always pattern our guns every spring before our hunt just to refresh our selves with gun and the ammo but always have used a extra full turkey choke tube.This year we will both be shooting new O/U shotguns will try and see how they pattern with standard full chokes compared to extra full turkey tubes.Will see if my gunsmith friend thoughts hold true for our guns.

 

[Epfd217]

Last year I dropped two birds using Black Cloud #4 shot. It met the rules for non-toxic shot on some public lands and I it patterned well for me. The biggest surprise was how well it stone-cold dropped those birds. I will be using them again for sure.

Pay attention the the rules in your state or where you plan to hunt. You are only allowed 4 shot and smaller in MN. So, the guy from SoDak who said he uses 2's and 3's would not be legal here.

 

[1_pointer]

I've read some reports of folks getting amazing results out to unreal distances with Federal Heavyweight turkey shells. The shot is heavier than lead and heavier than Hevi-Shot. They are using smaller than 'normal' shot as they fly better and penetrate farther for size. Many are using 6s or even 7s out of 12 and 20 gauges.

That said, it won't do you a hill of beans good if it doesn't pattern...