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Post by kabic on Feb 27, 2017 19:58:12 GMT -6
Making a slight upgrade in turkey hunting gear this year, but now I have choke question.
I didn't worry too much about it before because the shotgun I was using had a fixed choke, so what I had is what I had.
Looking at what the affordable options are, I see constrictions in the range of .650 to .670....I always thought .655 was the "standard" for turkey chokes but now wondering if there is a better choice.
I normally shoot #5 shot for turkey (3 inch Winchester supreme). Which end of the above spectrum is tighter? Is there any general accepted rules to go by, or is the old stand by of run a bunch of different shells through and see what works best?
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ace
Full Member
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Post by ace on Feb 27, 2017 20:13:52 GMT -6
I think the answer is to run a bunch of shells through it and match the gun/choke to the shell.
Personally I have always used only the stock chokes in my guns. There are some expensive shells that shoot like shit out of them, and some cheapos that shoot well. I've never once been in a situation that I wished I would have bought an aftermarket choke tube...but that's just me.
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Post by wiscwhip on Feb 27, 2017 22:00:27 GMT -6
Kabic, try to get in touch with Native Hunter. He pretty much does that shit for a full time hobby, pretty damn knowledgeable and more than willing to help. BTW, .650 is the tightest of those you mentioned and that isn't always the best choice.
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Post by Reagan on Feb 28, 2017 6:02:12 GMT -6
I've only used factory chokes for everything.
I don't shoot a lot of practice. I may buy a box of shells and shoot some paper once or twice and call it good. Since I may kill one or two turkeys a year, the box of shells will last.
I don't understand the fascination people have with shooting the tightest pattern possible for turkeys. I'd rather have a decently spread pattern that gives a factor of safety for my shooting ability and a moving turkey head. I also don't shoot turkeys 50 yards away. It has cost me some birds over the years but there are worse things than watching a gobbler do his thing just out of range. If he walks away, we can do it again another day.
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Post by biglakebass on Feb 28, 2017 9:51:07 GMT -6
I put in a turkey choke and shoot it with whatever shell I have around. Its a scattergun, and no matter what choke I use or shell I shoot its gonna scatter.  I am not sure if I have ever pattern checked my current hunting shotgun. It kills ducks, pheasants and turkeys just fine. |
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Post by kabic on Feb 28, 2017 16:46:57 GMT -6
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Post by kabic on Feb 28, 2017 16:50:57 GMT -6
Kabic, try to get in touch with Native Hunter. He pretty much does that shit for a full time hobby, pretty damn knowledgeable and more than willing to help. BTW, .650 is the tightest of those you mentioned and that isn't always the best choice. I'll try sending him a a PM at the other place...the one I'm not banned from |
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Post by kabic on Feb 28, 2017 18:31:34 GMT -6
Kabic, try to get in touch with Native Hunter. He pretty much does that shit for a full time hobby, pretty damn knowledgeable and more than willing to help. BTW, .650 is the tightest of those you mentioned and that isn't always the best choice. I'll try sending him a a PM at the other place...the one I'm not banned from Native Hunter gave some good advice. For lead he suggested something in the .650 to .665 range Said the shell I like to shoot likes a tight choke (closer to the .650) and is his 2nd choice in a lead shell. FYI in his opinion the best lead shell is the Winchester Longbeard XR, the shell I'm using is the Winchester Supreme which I think had been re branded the Winchester Double X. "If you want to shoot the heavier than lead shells, a good choice is the bronze colored Hevi-13 shells. This is 2 ounce in 3 inch and 2.25 ounce in 3.5 inch. Either is good, and the best choke will range from .665 up to .675." |
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Post by kabic on Mar 2, 2017 22:26:25 GMT -6
Still wavering on what choke to get, but that is ok because they haven't shipped the shotgun yet. Anyways I found this if you want to shoot Winchester shells patternboard.winchester.com/#/not sure how good it is, because I'm sure each gun is a little different |
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Post by kabic on Mar 7, 2017 14:30:50 GMT -6
went on the more open side of the range that Native Hunter gave me. I was a little afraid that he was coming too much from the competition perspective and not enough from the hunting perspective when he recommended the really tight choke. I.E that the tight choke would indeed put the most pellets in the circle at whatever range they compete at, but I was worried about missing closer birds because the pellet pattern was too tight. I went with the Bass Pro Black Out which is .665 constriction. Pretty sure this is made by Carlson. The patternboard app (linked above) shows still a pretty decent results at 50 yards  The shotgun I ordered will be in at Holmen by this weekend and I'll probably check out the seed place there that Whip mentioned also. The elusive prey |
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Post by wiscwhip on Mar 7, 2017 14:54:09 GMT -6
IIRC, they are only open until like 2 on Saturdays and they are closed Sundays.
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Post by kabic on Mar 14, 2017 10:16:55 GMT -6
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Post by kabic on Mar 18, 2017 19:14:34 GMT -6
Tested the combination today. Took first shoot kneeling at 30 paces. I put dot on the front sight right on the target turkeys head. Most of the pellets went high. I adjusted my sight picture on the next shots 45 paces to the "pumpkin on fence post" and did OK, but I think that would be the max distance with this ammo and I probably would try to get them closer. 30 pace shot  First 45 pace shot  Second 45 pace shot  |
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Post by Reagan on Mar 18, 2017 20:04:58 GMT -6
I'm not sure if you are a long time turkey hunter or not, so don't be offended. I always tell people to aim for where the skin meets the feathers instead of the head. It is very easy for a turkey to pull his head down at the shot to cause a miss. If you aim for the neck, misses are less likely.
You may already do that. I realize you were shooting at paper and checking your pattern. I just thought I should mention it.
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Post by kabic on Mar 18, 2017 20:22:29 GMT -6
I'll take any advice I can get when it comes to turkies. I have hunted them a few years now and I have shot exactly one. Of coarse I have only shot once. Maybe could have got one last year, but I thought he was too far for the gun I had.
I have heard shoot for the neck before. Since this is first time I have fired the new shotgun I wasn't sure if the point of impact would be compared to pont of aim.
I have a little better idea now.
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