When embarking on a turkey hunting expedition, one of the critical decisions a hunter must make concerns the choice of shotgun choke. This decision significantly impacts the effectiveness and ethical considerations of the hunt.

Among the various types of shotgun chokes available, the question arises: Which is the best shotgun choke for hunting a large, slow bird such as a turkey? The answer, favored by seasoned hunters and experts alike, leans towards the full choke for its superior performance in the unique context of turkey hunting.

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Understanding Shotgun Chokes

A shotgun choke is a constriction at the end of a shotgun barrel that shapes the spread of the shot. Chokes are designed to control the shot pattern, and different chokes are used depending on the type of game being hunted and the hunting conditions. The main types of chokes are:

1. Cylinder Choke:

• Constriction: None (0.00 inches)
• Effective Range: Up to 20-25 yards

2. Improved Cylinder Choke:

• Constriction: Slight (approximately 0.010 inches)
• Effective Range: 20-30 yards

3. Modified Choke:

• Constriction: Medium (around 0.020 inches)
• Effective Range: 30-40 yards

4. Full Choke:

• Constriction: Tight (about 0.030 to 0.040 inches)
• Effective Range: 40-50 yards, ideal for turkey hunting

5. Extra Full Choke:

• Constriction: Tighter than full (often 0.040 inches or more)
• Effective Range: 40 yards and beyond, specialized for turkey hunting

Why Extra-Full Choke for Turkey Hunting?

1. Tight Shot Pattern

The full choke offers a tight constriction (about 0.030 to 0.040 inches), essential for maintaining a dense shot pattern over longer distances. This tight pattern is crucial for hitting the small vital areas of a turkey – primarily the head and neck.

2. Effective Range:

A full choke extends the effective range to 40-50 yards, aligning well with typical turkey shooting distances. This extended range is important as turkeys are often wary and difficult to approach closely.

3. Ethical Considerations:

Ensuring a dense shot pattern at a longer range helps in making a clean, ethical shot that is more likely to result in a quick and humane

Fact Check:

• According to the “National Wild Turkey Federation”, proper shot placement is vital, and the dense pattern of Full choke aid in this.
• A study published in the “Journal of Wildlife Management” found that the use of tighter chokes resulted in higher hunter success rates in turkey hunting.

List of 7 Best Turkey Chokes for Shotgun

1. CARLSON’S Choke Tubes Remington

2. TRUGLO Head Banger Long Range Turkey Choke

3. TRUGLO Gobble-Stopper Xtreme Shotgun Choke Tube

4. Primos Tight WAD Turkey Choke Tube

5. Hunters Specialties Strut Undertaker XT

Additional Factors to Consider

• Pattern Testing: Different shotguns and ammo combinations can vary in performance. Hunters should test their specific setup to find the most effective combination.
• Shooting Skills and Limitations: Knowing and respecting one’s effective range is crucial for ethical hunting.
• Technological Advancements in Chokes: Some modern full chokes feature enhancements like porting, which can reduce recoil and further improve pattern performance.
• Shot Size Selection: The choice of shot size (commonly No. 4, 5, or 6) is also a critical factor in turkey hunting, with preferences varying among hunters.
• Legal Compliance: Compliance with local hunting regulations, especially regarding shot materials, is essential.

Conclusion

The full choke emerges as the best choice for turkey hunting due to its ability to maintain a tight shot pattern over longer distances, crucial for the challenging task of targeting a turkey’s vital areas. While the extra-full choke can also be effective, the full choke strikes a balance between range, pattern density, and versatility, making it the go-to choice for many experienced turkey hunters.

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References:

• “National Wild Turkey Federation“
• “Journal of Wildlife Management“