Turkey Chokes and Full Chokes

[chango17]

I was just looking into chokes, as I am looking into getting a 20 ga. I have a 12 with plenty chokes, including a Extra Full Turkey and was looking into getting one for the 20 also, but i noticed it said not for use with steel shot...LEAD SHOT ONLY.

I remember shooting one, maybe two rounds, of steel shot through my 12 ga. turkey choke a few weeks back to test some magnum loads I acquired and I'm hoping I didn't ruin one of my favorite chokes (I like my groups tight ).

I was just curious as to why this is and what effect does it have on the choke if steel shot is used?

Also What is the difference in constriction between Full, TrapFull, ExtraFull, and SuperFull and what groups to expect at given ranges?

Thanks Fellas

[chango17]

anyone?

[AAShooter]

Those chokes are too restrictive for steel shot. Steel is not malleable like lead shot. It is hard to tell if you did any damage. Chokes respond differently for lead and steel so any time you are shooting steel you want to understand what that choke is for steel. If it is not explicitly marked on the choke or packaging material, you have to assume the marking is for lead only. Older guns with fixed choked barrels are generally marked for lead shot.

As far as Full, TrapFull, ExtraFull, and SuperFull . . . you need to get past the marketing terms and look at the actual measurements of the chokes. Realize the chokes will pattern based on the combination of the gun, ammo, and choke. So the pattern will depend on those variables.

[AAShooter]

Here is one take on choke sizes . . .

[chango17]

Thanks AAShooter .. that gave me a pretty good answer to my questions. I guess ill just have to stick to my full choke when hunting since I live in the lead free hunting zone. I tried to look for the measure of cconstriction for the trapfull as ive never heard of it until recently.. im just a curious one trying to expand my knowledge on shotguns .. ive always been more of a rifle person but ive really been enjoying my shotgun lately

[wweigle]

AAShooter has it correct. Typically, steel patterns are approximately one choke tighter than Lead. Many removable chokes are labeled for both. My Browning Invector chokes state on the side. Lead-Modified, Steel-full. The general consensus is that a true modified choke constriction is as tight as you want to shoot with steel, which in theory will throw a full choke pattern. In your situation I would shoot a true modified chock constriction with steel, for a full choke pattern at Turkeys. A full choke pattern should be plenty tight for any Turkey within reasonable range. I have never needed a pattern any tighter than full, and frankly viewed the extra full, turkey specials as another marketing gimmick to get your money. Not to say that they don't increase your range, I have just never felt like It was necessary. Good luck with the Turkeys.

[AAShooter]

Thanks AAShooter .. that gave me a pretty good answer to my questions. I guess ill just have to stick to my full choke when hunting since I live in the lead free hunting zone. I tried to look for the measure of cconstriction for the trapfull as ive never heard of it until recently.. im just a curious one trying to expand my knowledge on shotguns .. ive always been more of a rifle person but ive really been enjoying my shotgun lately

Glad it helped. Here is one choke gauge that many people use.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shotgun-tools/choke-adapters-gauges/key-ring-choke-gauge-prod6683.aspx

Funny you mention being a rifle guy. I am more a shotgun guy trying to expand my knowledge on rifles.

[NapalmCheese]

Where are you that you need to use non-lead for turkeys?

At any rate, I typically shoot an extended Mod choke for ducks. My patterns with steel shot range from 80% at 40 yards (1-1/8 oz Federal Speed Shok #3 @ 1425 fps or so) to ~70% (Federal black cloud #2, Winchester Xperts #2 @1500ish, Kent #3 @1500ish). I'll take the first load for pass shooting ducks out to 45 yards or so and either switch to my IC choke or choose a different shell for shots inside of 40 yards. I don't know what this choke patterns like with lead as I only use it for waterfowl.

Pattern your intended shell and choke combos and find the one that gives you what you want. An 80% pattern at 40 yards is really full, super full, extra full, or just fuller than full.

[chango17]

AAShooter has it correct. Typically, steel patterns are approximately one choke tighter than Lead. Many removable chokes are labeled for both. My Browning Invector chokes state on the side. Lead-Modified, Steel-full. The general consensus is that a true modified choke constriction is as tight as you want to shoot with steel, which in theory will throw a full choke pattern. In your situation I would shoot a true modified chock constriction with steel, for a full choke pattern at Turkeys. A full choke pattern should be plenty tight for any Turkey within reasonable range.

On my Rem chokes it just says what shot they are compatible with. My my full choke measures at .695 and accepts steel shot so would that mean that with steel It would pattern somewere between the lines of extra full and superfull. and with lead it would perform like a full?

[chango17]

Where are you that you need to use non-lead for turkeys?.

Pattern your intended shell and choke combos and find the one that gives you what you want. An 80% pattern at 40 yards is really full, super full, extra full, or just fuller than full.

I hunt in the central coast in Los Padres National Forest .. its part of the California Condor Preservation area so only Non-Lead ammo can be used to hunt.

And when you give a percentage pattern at 40 yards how big is your target? I would imagine about 36"?

[chango17]

Funny you mention being a rifle guy. I am more a shotgun guy trying to expand my knowledge on rifles.

Yea I got my shotgun in October and i was loving it when ammo was available. me and my buddies started shooting alot of clays because it was fun and cheap. $23 for 100rd value pack and $9 for 90 clays ... also it expanded my hunting to upland game and boy do I miss dove and quail.. I remember going out to relative's land with my pellet gun as a kid. we'd be out all day and only come back with a couple of em. now I can get more than a few in a lot less time. Im hoping to find a chance to go out for some turkey before the season ends.

[NapalmCheese]

I hunt in the central coast in Los Padres National Forest .. its part of the California Condor Preservation area so only Non-Lead ammo can be used to hunt.

And when you give a percentage pattern at 40 yards how big is your target? I would imagine about 36"?

IANAL, double check me, I'm not your advisor, etc...

The condor range lead ammo ban only affects large game and non-game species. The turkey is an upland game animal and therefore not covered by the lead ban. There is a federal ban on using lead for waterfowl.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/docs/LeadInformation.pdf

Pattern percentage is number of pellets inside of a 30 inch circle at 40 yards.

That being said, the last time I shot a turkey with a shotgun I used 3 inch Federal #4 turkey loads. 1-7/8 oz I think with Flite Control. I never patterned that load but put more than a few pellets into the head and neck at 20ish yards on a surprise shot.

[NapalmCheese]

Also, DO NOT carry any shotgun ammo with shot bigger than #2 while hunting turkeys. Slugs are apparently a no no as well. Basically, no combo pig/turkey hunts during the spring. You're either hunting pigs with non-lead or hunting turkeys with <#2 shot. Don't shoot a coyote, skunk, opossum, starlings, or ground squirrels (or any other non-game species) with lead shot either.

Lastly, check out the hunting forum.

[Jn316]

Here check this out http://allaboutshooting.com/product_...products_id=64
I bought one a couple years ago for my 20ga have yet to try it out

[chango17]

Napalm thanks for the info .. I didn't know that the non lead only applied to certain game ... I am new to hunting and ive been going out with some older buddies that have been hunting for a few years now .. I guess ill have to enlighten them about the whole non lead thing since they were the ones who told me lead was a no no... thanks again pal.