swd":31sdcklc said:
I have a Mossberg 535 12 gauge. I am planning to try my hand at turkey hunting for the first time this spring.
Is the full choke I already have good enough, or do I need to get something else?
IMO, and especially among less experienced turkey hunters,
more turkeys are missed because of too much choke rather than a more open choke.
If you are not using optical sights, no way would I recommend a tighter choke than your current full.
Realize you cannot plan and be perfect for every possible circumstance,
but most turkeys that provide a good opportunity, will provide that opportunity under 40 yards, maybe even under 30 if you're not too impatient.
You might actually fare better (go home with more birds) using a more open choke.
I've called up & killed a lot of turkeys over several decades.
Average range has been about 24 yards.
And it's tremendously more fun to have them up close when you pull the trigger.
Spend your choke money on #9 TSS loads.
These will give you the extra range of a little tighter choke,
without sacrificing the larger pattern you currently have,
which helps insure you don't miss a bird that's under 30 yards.