This guide to turkey chokes will help you gear up for the spring turkey season. Here, we discuss choke tube types, choke materials and features, compatibility and interchangeability, as well as testing and patterning your turkey shotgun.
What Is a Choke Tube?
A choke tube is a small, screw-in piece attached to the end of your shotgun barrel. It restricts the spread of shot pellets as they leave the muzzle, giving you either a wide or tight pattern depending on the constriction (or tightness) of the tube.
For turkey hunting, a tighter shot pattern is generally desired to strike the bird’s vital areas – head and neck.
Understanding Choke Types (general info)
Here are the main choke sizes you should know:
- Improved Cylinder: Short-range shots (10-20 yards). Provides minimal to no constriction, creates a wider spread.
- Modified Choke: Mid-range shots (20-30 yards). Provides a medium spread. Delivers a balance providing a good pattern for shots at medium range.
- Full Choke: Long-range shots (30-45 yards). Delivers a dense and precise shot pattern.
- Extra Full and Turkey Choke: Turkey hunting at 40+ yards. Offers extra-tight constriction to produce a super-dense pattern.
Fixed vs. Interchangeable Chokes
- Fixed Chokes: These are built into the barrel and cannot be changed without the help of a gunsmith.
- Interchangeable Chokes: These can be easily swapped out. “Screw-in” chokes fit inside the barrel, while “screw-on” chokes extend outward.
- Adjustable Chokes: This less common type allows you to adjust the constriction by twisting the choke mechanism.
For turkey hunting, interchangeable screw-in chokes are the most popular due to their versatility and ease of use.
Which Choke for Turkey Hunting
Turkey hunting calls for a full or extra-full choke designed to hold a tight pattern. The goal is to achieve a 70% pattern density within a 30-inch circle at the distance you expect to take your shot (usually around 40 yards). This means that 70% of your shot pellets should land in that circle.
- Full Choke (0.030 constriction): 70% pattern at 40 yards
- Extra Full Choke (0.040 constriction): 73%+ pattern at 40 yards
- Turkey Chokes (0.045+ constriction): Tight patterns even at long ranges
Tight isn’t always better, though. If turkeys come too close, an ultra-tight choke might cause you to miss because the pattern is so compact. Also, using a full choke at close range risks punching a hole through the turkey because of overly concentrated pellets.
Likewise, an improved cylinder at long range spreads the pellets too much, missing the mark.
Match Choke Size to Bore Diameter
Your shotgun’s bore size plays a huge role in how a choke performs. Here are some common recommendations:
- .690 first choice for .774 bore guns – #5/6 lead, #6 “heavier than lead”
- .670 first choice for .740 bore guns – #5/6 lead, #6 “heavier than lead”
- .665 first choice for .730 bore guns (standard bore size for most 12-gauge shotguns) – #5/6 lead, #6 “heavier than lead”
- .660 first choice for .725 bore guns – #5/6 lead, #6 “heavier than lead”
Keep in mind that different bore sizes often require different chokes, even if they have the same exit diameter. Always test your choke and shell combination.
Choose a Quality Shell
The shot shell matters as much as the choke. To achieve a tight, dense pattern, use premium turkey loads with either lead shot or heavier-than-lead alternatives. Some proven performers include:
- Hevi-Shot
- Federal Premium Mag Shok Heavyweight
- Winchester Long Beard XR (known for their solid buffer system for tighter patterns)
Heavy shot loads often pattern tighter than standard lead, but always test them with your choke to confirm performance.
* Prices accurate at time of writing
Choke Materials
- Stainless Steel chokes: Durable, resistant to rust, best performance for the money. Handles rough conditions. All-rounder.
- Titanium chokes: Lightweight yet incredibly strong. Great performance without adding weight to your setup. Tend to provide a tighter pattern than SS chokes.
- Ceramic-Coated chokes: Ceramic coating reduces fouling reducing the chance of the build-up affecting your pattern.
Choke Compatibility and Interchangeability
Not all choke tubes are made to fit every shotgun, even within the same brand. It’s due to different threading systems, like WinChoke (Winchester), AccuChoke (Mossberg), RemChoke (Remington), and so on. For example, Beretta’s Optima system isn’t compatible with its Optima Plus system. So before buying a choke, check your shotgun’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to make sure you’re getting a tube that fits your gun.
Choke Interchange Chart (Gun Model + Choke Interchange):
- EAA Akkar: Remington Rem Choke (not Pro-Bore)
- Benelli Mobile: Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Benelli Crio Plus: Crio Plus
- Beretta Mobile: Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Beretta Optima Plus: Optima Plus
- Beretta Optima HP: Optima HP
- Browning Invector: Browning Invector
- Browning Invector Plus: Browning Invector Plus
- Browning Invector DS: Browning Invector DS
- Charles Daly O/U Made in Italy: Browning Invector standard threads
- Charles Daly O/U Made in Turkey: Remington Standard Threads (not Pro-Bore)
- CZ 12 Gauge (including 912 & 712 models): Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- CZ 20 Gauge: NA
- Franchi Affinity 12 & 20 Gauge (post-1998): Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Franchi I-12 New Sporting Model: Crio Plus
- Mossberg 500, 535, 930, 9200, Maverick: Browning Invector
- Mossberg 835/935: Mossberg 835/935 Series Threads
- Mossberg H 512 Maverick, SA-20, Silver Reserve 12 Gauge, Onyx 12 Gauge: Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Mossberg Silver Reserve 20 Gauge, Onyx 20 Gauge:
- Remington 870, 887, 11-87, 1100: Remington Rem Choke (not Pro-Bore)
- Remington 105CTI, Pro Bore Models (e.g., Versa Max, 870 Bone Collector): Remington Pro Bore
- Remington Spartan: NA
- Stoeger M3000, M3500, 2000, P-350: Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Stoeger Condor (O/U), STF 3000 (O/U): Browning Invector
- Stoeger Luger (O/U): NA
- TriStar Cobra (12 ga), Hunter (12 & 20 ga), Raptor (12 & 20 ga), Viper G2 (12 ga), Setter (12 & 20 ga), Phantom Field, Model 380D, Silver Series (serial #4687037 or larger): Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- TriStar Phantom 411, Phantom TR11, Phantom HP: NA
- TriStar TSA 3-1/2″ Semi Auto (serial # lower than 11/16240): Crio Plus
- TriStar TSA 3-1/2″ Semi Auto (serial # higher than 11/16240): Optima Plus
- Weatherby SA 20, SA & PA 08 (threads at top), PA, SA 459 Home Defense: Beretta/Benelli Mobile
- Weatherby SA & PA 08 (threads at bottom): Browning Invector
- Winchester 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, Ranger: Browning Invector
- Winchester Select Energy, Supreme: Browning Invector Plus
- Winchester Model 59: NA
Premium Chokes – Worth It?
If you’ve been eyeing premium models like Indian Creek or Carlson’s chokes, you may wonder if they’re worth the price tag. Well, tests revealed that aftermarket chokes often enhance the uniformity of the shot pattern. So if you want to feel confident about your turkey hunting setup, it might be worth getting a premium choke from Indian Creek Choke, Carlson’s Chokes, Patternmaster, and Kicks.
However, if you’re working with a budget, factory chokes included with your shotgun—like Remington Wingmaster—still get the job done. The choice ultimately comes down to how much you value the added consistency.
CARLSONS Extended Turkey Choke Tube
$52.49
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Browning Invector, Mossberg 500, Winchester Shotguns
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .675
- Porting: Non-Ported
- Material: 17-4 Heat Treated Stainless Steel
CARLSONS Long Beard XR Turkey Choke Tube
$65.49
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Beretta/Benelli Mobil
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .650
- Porting: Ported
- Material: 17-4 Stainless Steel
CARLSONS TSS Turkey Choke Tube
$54.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Beretta/Benelli Mobil 12Ga Choke Systems
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .640
- Porting: Non-Ported
PRIMOS Jelly Head Maximum Turkey Choke Tube
$52.15
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Beretta/Benelli Mobil
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .655
- Porting: Non-Ported
- Material: Chrome Alloy Steel
PATTERNMASTER Anaconda Striker Turkey Choke Tube
$67.49
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Beretta/Benelli Mobil
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .670
- Porting: Non-Ported
- Material: 17-4 Stainless Steel
PATTERNMASTER Code Black Turkey Choke Tube
$89.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Fits: Mossberg 500/535/930
- Gauge: 12 ga
- Constriction: .665
- Porting: Ported
- Material: 17-4 Stainless Steel
Choke Features to Keep in Mind
- Porting: Some chokes reduce recoil with ports, making for easier follow-up shots.
- Extension Length: A longer tube may impact your swing, so find one that feels comfortable for your hunting style.
- Load Versatility: Some chokes work best with specific ammo types (like lead vs. hybrid loads). Read the specs before buying.
Testing and Patterning Your Turkey Shotgun
Pattern your shotgun with different choke and shell combinations before hitting the field. No two guns, chokes, or loads perform the same—testing is the only way to find the perfect match for your specific setup.
Why Patterning is Important
Simply put, different shotguns, ammo, and chokes produce different patterns. Your goal is to find the right combination that delivers a consistently tight and effective pattern at the range you intend to hunt. A well-patterned shotgun ensures that your shot delivers enough pellets to the turkey’s head and neck resulting in a humane kill.
Proper patterning also allows you to identify if your setup has any weak areas, such as inconsistent spreads or gaps in the pattern that could cause you to miss your mark.
How to Set Up Your Patterning Test
- Bring a sharpie or pen to mark hits and track patterns as well as a rangefinder to measure target distance accurately. Safety gear goes without saying.
- Use targets designed for turkey hunting with clearly marked head and neck zones.
- Set your targets at various distances, start from 20 yards and move out to 30, 40, and 50 yards.
- Fire multiple loads (e.g., #6, #7 shot, or TSS) using your choke and evaluate the patterns. Federal TSS paired with Kick’s chokes, for instance, has gained massive popularity among hunters for its ability to create tight, even patterns. On the other hand, affordable loads like the Long Beard XR shells offer respectable performance without breaking the bank.
- Look for density and uniformity—aim for around 100 pellets within a 10-inch circle at 40 yards.
- If your pattern is too wide, inconsistent, or not centered, you may need to make adjustments. This could involve:
- Trying a different choke tube
- Testing different types of ammo
- Adjusting your shotgun’s optics
Cleaning and Maintaining Chokes
Dirty or rusted chokes can ruin your hunt. Here’s how to keep them in top shape:
- Frequent Cleaning: Remove the choke after every hunt to clean away powder residue, plastic fouling, and moisture. Use a toothbrush with solvent designed for chokes to clean the threads.
- Oil Before Storage: Apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust, especially if you hunt in damp environments or for waterfowl.
- Tighten Properly: Always use a wrench to lightly tighten the choke—not just finger-tight. A loose choke can cause major damage to your barrel.
What to Do If a Choke Gets Stuck
A frozen choke is frustrating, but patience and proper care can help. Here’s what to do:
- Submerge in Penetrating Oil: Remove the barrel, soak the muzzle in penetrating oil for several days, and then work the choke back and forth gently with a proper choke wrench.
- Apply Gentle Heat: Warm the barrel just enough to expand the threads without overheating it (you should still be able to touch the barrel).
- Call a Gunsmith: If the choke refuses to budge, seek help from a professional.
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