Choosing the right choke tube can significantly impact your turkey hunting success. While 12-gauge shotguns reign supreme in the turkey woods, the 20-gauge is gaining popularity, offering a lighter recoil and often increased maneuverability. This guide dives deep into selecting the optimal 20-gauge turkey choke for your specific needs and hunting style.
Understanding Choke Tubes and Their Impact on Shot Patterns
Before we delve into specific 20-gauge turkey choke recommendations, let's clarify the fundamentals. A choke tube constricts the barrel's opening, influencing shot pattern density and range. A tighter choke creates a tighter pattern, concentrating pellets within a smaller area, ideal for longer-range shots. Conversely, a more open choke spreads the shot, covering a wider area—beneficial for closer-range encounters.
Key Choke Tube Types for Turkey Hunting:
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Extra Full: This is the tightest choke, delivering the densest pattern at the longest range. It's best suited for shots beyond 40 yards where pellet concentration is paramount. However, it sacrifices shot spread, demanding extreme accuracy.
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Full: A slightly more open option than Extra Full, offering a balance between pattern density and range. It's a versatile choice for various shooting distances, proving effective within the 30-40 yard range.
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Modified: This choke provides a wider pattern than Full and Extra Full, suitable for shots within 30 yards where a larger kill zone is advantageous. It offers a good compromise between pattern density and spread.
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Improved Cylinder: This is the most open choke, creating the widest pattern and offering the shortest effective range. It's rarely used for turkey hunting due to its lack of pellet concentration.
Choosing the Right 20 Gauge Turkey Choke for You:
The ideal choke depends on several factors:
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Shooting Distance: Are you primarily taking shots within 30 yards, or do you often engage turkeys at longer distances? This significantly influences choke selection. Longer ranges demand tighter chokes.
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Hunting Style: Do you prefer to get close to your target, or do you favor longer-range shots? Your hunting style should dictate your choke choice. Close-range hunters can benefit from more open chokes.
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Shotgun Model and Barrel Length: Different shotguns perform differently with various choke tubes. Experimentation and pattern testing are crucial to determine the optimal choke for your specific firearm and barrel length.
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Ammunition Type: Shot size and type interact with choke constrictions. Larger shot sizes (like #4 or #5) generally benefit from tighter chokes compared to smaller sizes (#6 or #7). Always pattern your ammunition with your chosen choke to ensure optimal performance.
Practical Recommendations and Pattern Testing:
Instead of blindly following recommendations, invest time in pattern testing. This involves shooting your shotgun at various distances using different choke tubes and shot types to determine the best combination for your setup.
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Start with a Full choke: This is generally a solid starting point for 20-gauge turkey hunting, offering a good balance of range and pattern density.
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Experiment with Modified: If you consistently find yourself taking closer-range shots, consider experimenting with a Modified choke.
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Avoid Extra Full unless necessary: Reserve the Extra Full choke for extremely long-range shots, recognizing its potential to reduce your effective range due to the tight pattern.
Maintaining Your Choke Tubes:
Proper choke tube maintenance is vital for consistent performance. Clean your choke tubes thoroughly after each hunting trip to prevent buildup and ensure optimal shot patterns.
Conclusion:
Selecting the right 20-gauge turkey choke is a crucial element of successful turkey hunting. By understanding choke constrictions, considering your hunting style, and diligently conducting pattern testing, you can enhance your chances of bagging a gobbler. Remember, the best choke is the one that delivers the most consistent and effective patterns for your specific setup and hunting conditions.
