The question of which shotgun choke is best for hunting a large, slow bird, such as a turkey, may be equivalent to rocket science for the fresh hunters.
As a rule, you need to choose your weapon in accordance with the prey that you’re going to hunt. Choosing the right kind of weapon will be easier for you if you plan exactly what to hunt in advance.
Today, we’re going to answer the question: Which shotgun choke is best for hunting a large, slow bird, such as a turkey?
In essence, we want to teach you how to match your choke to your carry, so that you can easily pick the best shotgun choke right off the bat.
But before we do the matching, let’s first answer the query:
Which shotgun choke is best for hunting a large, slow bird like a turkey?
Answer
The best shotgun choke for hunting large, slow birds is the full choke.
Explanation
When hunting slower birds, it’s best to use a shotgun choke that directs the pellets in the right direction. Opting for the full shotgun choke is the only way to achieve that goal.
As the turkey will be slow and at a far distance, a full choked gun will ensure the bullet goes in the right direction and hits the turkey.
A full choke gives you more precision when hunting and you’ll be able to get the prey in a single shot. With increased accuracy, you’ll not have to fire multiple shots.
In hunting situations involving slower birds, the sound of the bullet often tips the bird off. In such a case, it’ll try to move away albeit at a slower pace.
However, with the help of the full choke, directing the bullet accurately is a piece of cake. Being able to direct the bullet precisely allows you to hit your target – without fail!
Matching Your Choke to Your Quarry
Not every gun is ideal for all hunting situations. To decide on the best choke for a specific hunting purpose, look at the nature of the prey you intend to hunt.
An Improved Cylinder or Modified choke will be fine for hunting a smaller, faster, and closer bird. The two chokes create a wide shot pattern that spreads lightning fast at close ranges.
On the other hand, if you plan on hunting a larger, less mobile bird that’s farther away like a turkey, a full choke is the seamless choice. This choke confines the shot in a smaller surface area. The size of pellet also varies depending on the size of game.
Here is a chart showing the best choke for a variety of game. Use this chart only as a guide because the choice of choke is affected by various factors, such as hunting conditions, target distance, and ammunition.
| Quarry | Recommended Choke (Based on typical distance from quarry) |
| Turkey | Full or Extra Full |
| Goose | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Quail | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Goose | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Woodcock, rail, or snipe | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Dove | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Pheasant | Improved Cylinder, Modified, or Full |
| Rabbit | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
| Squirrel | Modified or Full |
| Duck | Improved Cylinder or Modified |
Best Shotgun Choke Tubes for Hunting a Large, Slow Bird Like a Turkey
Now that you know which shotgun choke is the best for hunting large, slow birds, we can go ahead and explore some of the best shotgun choke tubes for turkey hunting.
While there are several interchangeable choke tubes in the market, don’t be fooled into thinking that all chokes are interchangeable. Most options are only compatible with their gun make or model.
For instance, a Mossberg choke is not compatible with a Remington shotgun. Anyways, there are a few exceptions where some chokes are interchangeable between some shotguns. It’s best to check with the manufacturer if in doubt.
Let’s cut to the chase and review two of the best shotgun chokes for turkey hunting in 2020.
REMINGTON Rem Choke 12 GA. Extended Bundle (Improved Cylinder, Modified, Full) Steel or Lead
Remington’s 12 GA Rem Choke is a system of interchangeable pattern choke tubes and extended chokes facilitating quick and easy changing of your shotgun choke to match your hunting conditions.
This heavy-duty predator extended/ported choke tube is compatible with all Remington shotguns. The 12-gauge choke is offered in extra full .670 constriction for optimal pattern performance in the field.
Designed for use with lead or steel shots, the choke is easy to install or remove from the gun in seconds. The tube is knurled at its front to provide a good grip, and stretches out approximately one inch beyond end of the barrel.
This 12-Gauge unit provides tighter patterns and denser pellet concentrations at longer ranges. When used with Premier® Magnum Turkey Loads, it delivers more than 85% patterns at 40 yards. It also puts 80% of the pellets within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards.
Pros
- Easy to install and remove from the gun
- Interchangeable between Remington shotguns
- Well built and heavy duty
- Comes with 3 chokes as standard
- Can be used with lead or steel shots
Cons
- Choke plastic cases are lacking (tube only)
Hunters 06712 Undertaker XT Tube
The Undertaker 06712 High Density XT Moss 500 tube is a deluxe ported 12 GA choke that comes with a knurled end for effortless hand installation or removal without using a wrench.
This ported choke tube is engineered, designed and manufactured to offer the best-in-class performance. It’s compatible with today’s High Density Hevi-Shot, tungsten and bismuth loads in 12-gauge shotguns.
The item has a blued finish and a 3-inch long tube that’s made to fit all 2 3/4″, 3″ and 3 1/2″ 12 guns. You are advised to use it in Maverick 91 as well as Mossberg 835 and 935 12-gauge shotguns only.
This product produces supper full choke patterns. It places 90% of the shot within a 30-inch radius at 40 yards away. The Hunters Undertaker XT tube is not only heat treated but also features chrome-moly and aircraft quality alloy to withstand the toughest loads.
Thanks to the additional porting, the choke tube reduces recoil and muzzle jump. In a nutshell, this innovative gear aims at improving your efficiency and success during hunting.
Pros
- Knurled end for easy installation or removal using your bare hand
- Compatible with all 2 3/4″, 3″ and 3 1/2″ 12-gauge guns
- Produces super full choke patterns with 90% shot placement within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards
- Chrome-moly, aircraft quality allow and heat treatment help withstand tough loads
- Well ported to reduce recoil and muzzle jump
Cons
- No complaints reported thus far
Final Verdict
Up to this point, we believe you now understand everything there is to know about the best shotgun chokes for different hunting situations. Always pick the right shotgun choke for your specific hunting needs. Actually, this makes a whole lot of difference when it comes to hunting a variety of birds, both big and small.