12GA BARREL LENGTH & CHOKE QUESTION???

[My-AK47]

Guys~

I am going to buy a 12ga mossberg 835 Ultimag and it comes with two different barrels. One is 24" and the other 28" so my question is when I go Turkey/Duck hunting which barrel/choke shall I use and why??? I have not hunted since 24 years ago when I was young. Your advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance for your input

[TERRYGER]

i own one of these beasts

24 for turkey and 28 for ducks/geese is their plan. not necessary as the 28 has killed many of both for me. the 24 is still new.

yhe nice thing about the 835 is a 10 ga barrel on a 12ga frame. porting too.

not a pretty gun but one of the killingest i have ever owned

be sure to pattern it as they are not equal with all rounds. mine does not like heavy shot and throws the rest low and right but i know where it shoots and it is not a problem.

[BigDogatPlay]

And a full choke for ducks / geese unless you are decoying them in close. I've known some guys to use extra full for pass shooting on geese with good results.

For turkey, an extra full or turkey choke is your best bet.

As above... the 24 inch would be good to go for turkey. I'd actually probably use it on ducks as well, but that's just me as I prefer a shorter barrel. Birds on the wing, generally a longer barrel is better so I'd go with the 28 for the waterfowl if I am you.

[My-AK47]

Great and thanks for the info... But are certain chokes used depending on how many yards away you are from the kill?

[BigDogatPlay]

Tighter the choke, the farther the gun shoots effectively is one way to look at it. So to answer your question, pretty much yes.

In the case of a turkey, you're delivering a load of fairly large shot at sometimes a good distance and to a relatively small target. Need a very tight pattern to reach out 30 or 40 yards. Same general idea with pass shooting geese... tight pattern of fairly large shot and has to have enough oomph to fold the bird a ways out there.

Here's an article that will explain in more detail.

[My-AK47]

WOW!!! Great, this is what I was hoping for... I knew you guys could answer my questions