Choosing the right choke for turkey hunting is one of the most important decisions a hunter can make. The goal is to find a choke that provides consistent, dense patterns that will take down a turkey at common hunting ranges. There are many factors to consider when selecting a turkey choke, including shotgun gauge, barrel length, shot size, choke constriction, and personal preference. While there is no universally agreed upon “best” turkey choke, most experts recommend a constriction between .565″ to .695″ for lead shot and .580″ to .690″ for tungsten shot. In this article, we’ll break down how choke constriction works, optimal constrictions for different setups, and additional considerations when choosing a turkey choke. Equipped with this information, you’ll be able to confidently select the right choke tube to turn your shotgun into a reliable gobbler dropper.
How Does Choke Constriction Work?
A choke is a constriction at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel that controls the spread of the shot pattern. As shot leaves the barrel, it begins to spread out or disperse. The choke’s narrowing forces the pellets closer together, resulting in a more dense pattern at longer distances compared to an open or cylinder bore shotgun. The amount of constriction is referred to as the “choke constriction” and is measured in inches or millimeters. The tighter the constriction, the denser the pattern will be. However, if the constriction is too tight for a given load, the pattern density will actually decrease.
Choke Constriction Measurements
There are several ways choke constriction is expressed:
Gauge Markings – This is a series of notches that indicate the amount of constriction. Common markings include Full, Improved Modified (IM), Modified (M), Improved Cylinder (IC) and Cylinder. Full chokes have the tightest constriction, followed by IM, M, IC and Cylinder with the widest bore.
Star Ratings – Some choke tubes are rated with a number of stars, with more stars indicating a tighter constriction. For example, a ***** tube has the maximum constriction.
Decimal Measurements – The choke’s constriction is expressed as a decimal portion of an inch or millimeter. For example, .665″ refers to a .665 inch constriction. Larger numbers indicate more constriction.
Percentage Measurements – The choke’s bore reduction is expressed as a percentage. For example, a Full choke has a 40-60% reduction compared to the nominal bore diameter.
No measurement system is standardized across all choke manufacturers, so it’s important to understand how each company rates their products.
Optimal Constrictions for Turkey Hunting
While experienced turkey hunters may experiment with a wide range of chokes, most agree on ideal constrictions based on shotgun gauge and ammo selection:
12 Gauge
Lead #4, #5 Shot
– .665″-.670″ Mod/Full
– .675″-.685″ Full
Lead #6 Shot
– .625″-.650″ Light Mod
– .655″-.670″ Mod
Tungsten #5, #6, #7 Shot
– .600″-.675″ IM to Full
Tungsten #9 Shot
– .550″-.600″ IC to Light Mod
20 Gauge
Lead #4, #5 Shot
– .580″-.600″ IC to Mod
– .610″-.630″ Mod to Full
Lead #6 Shot
– .560″-.580″ IC
– .590″-.600″ Light Mod
Tungsten #6, #7 Shot
– .550″-.600″ IC to Light Mod
Tungsten #9 Shot
– .510″-.550″ Skeet to IC
Heavier lead shot and larger gauges typically perform better with tighter constrictions, while smaller pellets and tungsten shot patterns will optimized with more open chokes. Testing your particular shotgun’s patterning will refine the optimal constriction.
Additional Considerations for Turkey Chokes
While constriction is key, there are some other factors that impact performance:
Shotgun Gauge – The most popular gauges for turkeys are 12, 20 and 28. You can go tighter with constriction on a 12 gauge than a 20 or 28 gauge.
Barrel Length – Longer barrels allow for tighter constrictions. Short barrels require more open chokes.
Shot Size – Larger shot sizes can handle more constriction than smaller pellets.
Shot Material – Tungsten allows for more open chokes than equivalent sized lead shot.
Turkey Loads – Be sure to match your choke constriction to the load you’ll be using.
Pattern Testing – The only way to be 100% confident in your choke’s performance is to pattern test it with your specific shotgun and ammunition.
Shot Strings – Consider if you want a dense core that concentrates the pattern or a longer shot string that provides leeway for less-than-perfect shot placement.
Top Turkey Choke Recommendations
While there are countless turkey choke tubes on the market, here are some excellent and popular options to consider:
Choke & Brand | Constriction | Best For |
---|---|---|
Primos TightWad | .653″/.669″ | Lead shot in 12 gauge |
Truglo Gobble-Stopper Xtreme | .665″/.689″ | Long beard XR 12 gauge shells |
Indian Creek Brawler | .665″ | Heavy shot loads in 10 gauge |
Carlson Extended Range | .670″-.693″ | Tungsten Super Shot in 12 gauge |
Sumtoy Turkey Choke | .580″-.600″ | Lead and tungsten 20 gauge loads |
Be sure to verify the choke constriction measurements directly with the manufacturer.
Conclusion
Selecting the optimum choke constriction for your turkey hunting setup requires carefully balancing your specific shotgun and ammunition combination. While constrictions between .565″-.695″ for lead loads and .580″-.690″ for tungsten are ideal starting points, patterning your gun is the best way to zero in on the right choke tube. With an effective choke constriction matched to your hunting conditions and shooting style, you’ll gain the confidence to fill your turkey tag this season.