Understanding Chokes & Shotgun Patterns
The spring woods awaken. The air crackles with anticipation. The gobble of a mature tom turkey echoes through the trees, a siren song for hunters. Success in turkey hunting demands skill, patience, and the right equipment. At the heart of this equipment is your shotgun and, crucially, the choke. Choosing the right choke can significantly impact your chances of a clean and ethical harvest. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of the extra full turkey choke, its benefits, considerations, and how you can use it to maximize your success in the turkey woods.
Understanding the critical role of a choke starts with grasping how shotguns function. Unlike rifles, shotguns don’t fire a single projectile. Instead, they launch a cloud of small pellets, known as shot. The choke is a constriction at the muzzle end of the shotgun barrel. It’s a carefully designed narrowing that affects how the shot column spreads out after it leaves the barrel. This constriction fundamentally shapes the pattern – the distribution of those pellets – at a given distance. A tighter pattern, with more pellets concentrated within a smaller area, increases your chances of a clean kill. Conversely, a wider pattern, with fewer pellets in a less concentrated area, can lead to wounded birds and missed opportunities.
What is an Extra Full Turkey Choke?
What exactly is an extra full turkey choke? It’s a specialized type of choke designed to produce the tightest possible pattern, maximizing the number of pellets that strike a target at extended ranges. The term “extra full” signifies a higher degree of constriction compared to a standard “full” choke. This tighter constriction squeezes the shot column more dramatically as it exits the barrel, causing the pellets to stay together longer before spreading. The degree of constriction varies slightly between manufacturers, but the ultimate goal is to concentrate the shot pattern as much as possible.
Benefits of Using an Extra Full Turkey Choke
The benefits of employing an extra full turkey choke are substantial. The primary advantage is the delivery of exceptionally tight patterns. This means more pellets will impact the turkey, increasing the likelihood of a vital hit. This concentrated pattern also extends the effective range of your shotgun, allowing you to ethically take shots at birds farther away. Many hunters find they can comfortably and ethically engage turkeys that are further than they could with a more open choke. Ultimately, this increased effective range translates to more opportunities and, hopefully, more successful hunts. The tight pattern also helps ensure a more effective head and neck shot, which is the most ethical and humane shot placement when hunting turkeys.
Considerations and Limitations
However, with the power of an extra full turkey choke, you must consider its limitations. While these chokes extend your effective range, they don’t magically make your shotgun capable of shooting unlimited distances. It’s critical to pattern your shotgun with the specific ammunition you plan to use (more on this later) to determine your maximum effective range. Shooting beyond this range can lead to crippling injuries and unrecoverable birds, which is unethical and against the principles of responsible hunting.
Ammunition selection is another vital consideration. Not all ammunition performs equally well with extra full turkey chokes. The best results typically come from specialized turkey loads, often featuring heavier payloads and harder shot materials like copper-plated lead, nickel-plated lead, or even tungsten. These harder shot materials resist deformation as they pass through the tight choke constriction, allowing for more consistent patterns at longer ranges. Also, be certain your choke is rated for the type of shot you are using. Using steel shot, for example, in a choke not rated for it can result in damaged equipment and unsafe practices.
Be aware of the potential for damage. While extra full turkey chokes are generally robust, they are precision instruments. Over-tightening or using the wrong types of ammunition can damage the choke and potentially the barrel of your shotgun. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and maintenance. Regular cleaning is also essential. The build-up of plastic wad residue and lead fouling can degrade performance and potentially damage the choke over time.
The world of shot sizes can be daunting, but understanding the basics is important. Commonly used shot sizes for turkey hunting range from #4 to #6. Larger shot sizes, like #4, typically contain fewer pellets but offer greater individual pellet energy. Smaller shot sizes, like #6, have more pellets per shell, potentially increasing your chance of a good hit at moderate ranges. The ideal shot size depends on the range you intend to shoot and the performance of your shotgun/choke combination. Experimentation is key.
Selecting the Right Extra Full Turkey Choke
Barrel Threading and Compatibility
Choosing the perfect extra full turkey choke involves several factors, including the specifics of your shotgun, the type of hunting you typically do, and the ammunition you plan to use. Compatibility with your shotgun is the first and foremost consideration. Ensure the choke is designed to fit your barrel’s threading pattern. Check the manufacturer’s specifications on your firearm.
Brands and Models
The selection of available brands and models of extra full turkey chokes is vast. From premium, ported chokes designed to minimize recoil to more budget-friendly options, the market caters to various budgets and performance needs. Researching and reading reviews is highly recommended before making a purchase. Often, the difference in performance between a high-end and a more affordable choke can be negligible, especially with proper pattern testing.
Pattern Testing
Pattern testing is the most crucial step in the selection process. It is the only way to determine how well a specific choke and ammunition combination performs with your shotgun. The goal of pattern testing is to determine the pattern density at various distances and to observe how the pellets strike the target.
To pattern your shotgun, you’ll need:
* A safe range (preferably a dedicated shooting range).
* A large target (a turkey target works well).
* A stable shooting rest.
* The specific ammunition you plan to use.
Position your target at a measured distance – typically 40 yards is a good starting point, though you may want to test at various ranges. Fire a shot, carefully examining the pattern. Note the number of pellets within a defined circle around the point of aim. Count the number of pellets that hit the head and neck region of the target. Repeat this process multiple times to get an average pattern.
Pay attention to the pattern density. Does the pattern have a dense core, or is it more dispersed? Is the pattern centered, or does it favor one side? Compare the performance of different chokes and ammunition combinations. Your goal is to find the combination that provides the densest, most consistent pattern at your desired hunting distances.
Understanding where your shots strike is also crucial. Some shotguns might “shoot high” or “shoot low,” meaning the pattern isn’t aligned with your point of aim. Compensating for this is necessary to achieve accurate shot placement. Many chokes come with a specific point of impact designation, but patterning will ultimately reveal what works best for your setup.
Using an Extra Full Turkey Choke Effectively
Ammunition Selection
When it comes to effective use, the first step is ammunition selection. As mentioned, use high-quality turkey loads. These loads are engineered with harder shot, heavier payloads, and specialized wads for optimal performance through tight chokes. Experiment with different brands and shot sizes, as different combinations can yield vastly different results.
Effective Range Determination
Determining your effective range is paramount. Use your patterning results to determine the distance at which your shotgun delivers a dense and consistent pattern, sufficient for ethical kills. A good rule of thumb is to limit your shots to the distance at which your pattern places at least a certain number of pellets (e.g., 4-6) in the vital head and neck area of a turkey.
Shot Placement
Shot placement is critical. Aim for the turkey’s head and neck. This area is a relatively small target, making accurate shot placement essential. The tight pattern produced by your extra full turkey choke helps to concentrate the pellets, increasing your chances of a clean and ethical kill. Study turkey anatomy to gain a clear understanding of the vital areas.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Proper maintenance is crucial. Clean your choke tube after each shooting session. Remove any wad residue or lead fouling. Use a dedicated choke tube cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Well-maintained equipment is more likely to deliver consistent performance and will extend the life of the choke.
Safety Considerations
Safety must always come first when handling firearms. Always practice safe gun handling, including keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and treating every firearm as if it is loaded. Be absolutely certain of your target and what lies beyond it. Never take a shot at a turkey you can’t clearly see. Always wear eye and ear protection.
Conclusion
Turkey hunting, especially when employing an extra full turkey choke, offers a challenging and rewarding experience. By understanding the principles outlined in this article, you can make informed decisions, improve your shooting, and increase your chances of bringing home a magnificent tom. The right choke is more than just an accessory; it is a vital tool for effective and ethical turkey hunting. Invest the time and effort in understanding the nuances of your equipment and, most importantly, hunt responsibly. With careful preparation, you can enjoy the beautiful experience of spring turkey hunting.
The extra full turkey choke, when used correctly, is a powerful tool in the turkey hunter’s arsenal. By understanding the principles outlined in this article, you can make informed decisions, improve your shooting, and increase your chances of bringing home a magnificent tom. Good luck, and happy hunting!
