Turkey Chokes

[Grizzly Johnson]

I have read that no two guns will shoot the exact pattern even using the same choke and loads. My question to you guys shooting an 870 is: What choke tube have you used that gives you the best pattern between 40-50 yards? I know you should try to get them in close but I am just curious.....ALL of my shots this past spring were well within 30 yards but if the time comes for a long shot I don't want to question if I can make a clean kill. I'm looking at others experience before I were buy another choke tube.

 

[kdxdude]

My buddy has an 870 and he uses a Comp-n-Choke. Very good pattern at 40yds.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

I use a Gobblin Thunder .665 right now and it is awesome at 40 yards but at 45-50 it starts to get scraggly.

 

[chrmayo]

I would check into a Rhino tube. A buddy of mine uses one in his encore and it is just plain awesome. Everyone on the net says the same. A little pricey at about 100 bux but if you want the pattern its worth it. I am using an Indian Creek in my 835 and it does pretty good. I have been thinking about swapping to the 870 though and if I do I will be getting the rhino as well.

 

[AROD]

witch ever choke you get try diff. shot sizes to get your best pattern

 

[TiminTN]

I shoot an 870 SM and a Rhino .660" with #6 Winchester hi velocity Supreme 2 oz.

I found that Fiocci nickle plated #6 is awesome and inexpensive.

I have a .653" Rhino for it too that shoots the snot out of the Nitro shells, but I bought the triplex loads, and too many #7 1/2`s for my liking.

I like Comp-N-Choke better than Gobblin Thunder tubes, and would like to try an Indian Creek, but just don`t feel like I need one.

 

[jackscreek]

Hastings .640 / Winchester Supreme #4

Remember, the MMEDP (Maximum Manditory Ethical Distance Police) will flog you for shooting at one over X yards! :grin:

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Well I like them in close, but just in case...... only reason I'm asking....

 

[jackscreek]

Well I like them in close, but just in case...

I hear you! I like them in close too, just not too close. But, there is no reason not to make a long distance dial up if you have the right combination to put him down! :grin:

 

[wiles]

Rhino chokes are awesome, but if you really want to extend your range and/or pattern density, check out Nitro Ammunition's website. This combo is an expensive investment, but has devestating results! I use their hevi shot 4x5x7 in 3" out of my 11-87 paired with a rhino choke and wouldn't even think of trying another shell or choke.

 

[SALECREEKHUNTER]

Primos tightwad choke tube using #4 Hevi Shot awesome at 40 yards.

 

[duckhunter]

comp-n-choke xxf with number 6 winchester supreme elite turkey loads... great pattern up to about 65 yards!!

 

[Huntaholic]

Im in the 360 range with a .660 Rhino and Nitro 4x5x7 hevi shot in my 870 super mag. Like a few others here, Ive spent a small fortune in loads and choke combos and this is by far the deadliest Ive ever shot!

 

[holstonangler]

I sold my friend a factory Remington Super full choke after patterning his gun (Rem 870) at the range with it. It had an excellant pattarn at 50 yards with Winchester #6 Sup. Elite loads.

 

[4onaside]

I never pattern my gun at 40 yards, I shoot at 25 yards which is where a turkey has to be before I lay him down. Tight patterns at 40 can be wayyyyy too tight for 25 and closer. What is more concerning is the 10 yard shot with a 50 yard pattern.

I don't think they can be too tight at any range, assuming of course, that there is at least some spread from the muzzle diameter. If you put it on his neck or head, you should kill him dead as a hammer, and no matter if you mangle the head or neck. Much better than too open a pattern which puts shot into the body, which for those of us who like turkey breasts without lead is a no-no.

 

[4onaside]

If I knew that every one that I encountered would be killed at 10 or 15 yards, then modified would be the way to go, because at those ranges the pattern hasn't opened enough to become a " bird" pattern. I'm with you on the distances. My longest has been at 35 yards, and most have been between 25 and 30. And, even with a .665 choke and at 25 yards or so, every now and then a flier will hit the upper breast. I have ordered a .680 choke because I wanted a flush mounted one to shorten the barrel and that's the tightest that I could find in a flush mount.

 

[holstonangler]

I shot this one at about 10 yards and could fit a tennis ball through his neck, so you can go overboard on tight chokes, however there's always those few that hang up at 40-50 yards.

 

[4onaside]

My Carlson flush mounted choke came today and is now a part of my 870, the barrel now being an inch shorter.
I suppose that I have ample time to pattern it in the next 3 months! lol

 

[DBLAARCHERY]

I personaly shoot a Reminton 870 Express Magnum, Force-it-cone has been lengthened and I shoot a 660 Rhino choke...

I love this gun I have shot turkeys out to 60 yards easy...

As for loads I am not picky...I have never been the one to shoot just one shell type...I just put them in and let it fly...

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . . I shoot at 25 yards which is where a turkey has to be before I lay him down. Tight patterns at 40 can be wayyyyy too tight for 25 and closer. What is more concerning is the 10 yard shot with a 50 yard pattern.

I totally agree with you on that Captain, and have killed most of mine at 15 to 22 yards over the years, limiting my shots to no more than 35 yards. Most factory "Modified" and/or regular "Full" chokes are just right for these ranges.

IMO, most turkey hunters would actually bag more turkeys if they were NOT using the tightest of tight "turkey" chokes --- mainly because these tight chokes are a handicap at close range, and may encourage many hunters to take longer shots at ranges more difficult to assess, rather than call up or wait on a surer thing, up close and personal.

That said, a true expert and accomplished turkey hunter will sometimes benefit from a choke tighter than factory full, but the hunter needs to do his homework in knowning exactly where his pattern is centered and with which particular loads it works best. But I suspect most hunters are simply being duped out of their money when they think a tighter choke is the magic pill.

 

[DBLAARCHERY]

. . . . I shoot at 25 yards which is where a turkey has to be before I lay him down. Tight patterns at 40 can be wayyyyy too tight for 25 and closer. What is more concerning is the 10 yard shot with a 50 yard pattern.

I totally agree with you on that Captain, and have killed most of mine at 15 to 22 yards over the years, limiting my shots to no more than 35 yards. Most factory "Modified" and/or regular "Full" chokes are just right for these ranges.

IMO, most turkey hunters would actually bag more turkeys if they were NOT using the tightest of tight "turkey" chokes --- mainly because these tight chokes are a handicap at close range, and may encourage many hunters to take longer shots at ranges more difficult to assess, rather than call up or wait on a surer thing, up close and personal.

That said, a true expert and accomplished turkey hunter will sometimes benefit from a choke tighter than factory full, but the hunter needs to do his homework in knowning exactly where his pattern is centered and with which particular loads it works best. But I suspect most hunters are simply being duped out of their money when they think a tighter choke is the magic pill.

I agree with the last point you made...You have to educate yourself with your tools...I have shot my gun I don't know how many times...It doesn't matter if the bird is 10 feet or 60 yards its a dead bird...I guess thats the fruits of my labor...You have to shoot your gun to learn what it will do...Shoot...Shoot...Shoot...

 

[Anonymous]

I shoot a Mossberg 835 with a Nikon 2-7X33 scope with a Rhino choke and Nitro 4x5x7. I've killed turkeys as close at 8 yds. and on out from there. Each to his own but the handicaps are more with the person than the equipment. If you know what your equip. will do and develop a relationship with it when it comes crunch time everything else is second nature. The easiest part of killing a turkey is the shot.

 

[DBLAARCHERY]

( even those who shoot a 870 jk remi guys )

Easy on the 870...I wouldn't trade mine for anything...Well maybe a black eagle...To be honest I shoot one bird than i use the old stick and string...

 

[Anonymous]

I own a Mossberg 835, Benelli SBE, Remington 870 Supermag and a Browning Gold 3.5" and nothing will outpattern the Mossberg. Benelli is definitly a great gun and what I use duck hunting, dove hunting etc. Mossberg pattern is best with turkey loads with the Remington close then the Benelli and the Browning the last.

 

[TheLBLman]

I found that Fiocci nickle plated #6 is awesome and inexpensive.

Well, Tim, based on your recommendation, I just ordered about $100 worth of various Fiocci loads for testing.

 

[TiminTN]

You will like the nickle plated shells.

 

[Young Buck]

Rhino and Nitro 4x5x7 in my 835.Won't nothin else I've ever tried come close!62 longbeards

 

[square]

Does anyone shoot a Pattern Master choke?

 

[buckdead]

guess that was like 10 yds at the most.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

Does anyone shoot a Pattern Master choke?

I have one for ducks, it's ok..... you looking for one?