Unveiling the Essence of a Turkey Choke
What is a Choke Tube?
The crisp morning air carries the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The woods are alive, buzzing with anticipation. You’re in pursuit of the elusive gobbler, a creature of cunning and power. Your Mossberg 935, a reliable partner in this quest, is ready. But before you step into the realm of turkey hunting success, there’s a critical component you must address: the choke tube. Choosing the best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 is not just a matter of preference; it’s a cornerstone of maximizing your shotgun’s performance and increasing your chances of a clean, ethical harvest.
Understanding the subtleties of the Mossberg 935’s capabilities, and pairing it with the perfect choke, can transform a good day in the field into a triumphant one. This guide aims to navigate you through the crucial selection process, leading you to the ideal choke tube that will help you bring home the trophy.
A turkey choke tube, at its core, is a precisely engineered constriction at the muzzle of your shotgun. Its fundamental function is to shape and control the shot pattern as it exits the barrel. This is achieved by narrowing the bore diameter, thereby squeezing the shot column. This constriction, measured in thousandths of an inch, determines the degree of choke. The tighter the constriction, the more concentrated the pattern will be at a given range. A turkey choke is typically designed with an extra-full or super-full constriction, providing the tightest possible patterns for turkey hunting.
Selecting the correct choke goes beyond simply buying the most expensive one. The choice directly influences how the pellets spread. A choke that’s too open may result in a pattern that’s too dispersed, leading to a miss or wounding the bird. Conversely, a choke that’s excessively tight can create a pattern that’s too concentrated, with the potential for the shot string to clump together, reducing effective range and lethality. Understanding the relationship between constriction, pattern density, and range is essential for informed decision-making.
Beyond Pattern: The Importance of Choke Selection
The best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 influences your hunting effectiveness. Let’s delve deeper into the significance of a well-chosen choke:
Pattern Density
The primary function of a choke is to create a pattern that is dense enough to deliver a lethal payload within a reasonable range. This means the pellets are tightly grouped at the distance you anticipate taking your shot. The goal is to achieve a pattern that places a sufficient number of pellets into the vital areas of a turkey (the head and neck), ensuring a clean and humane kill.
Range
The range at which you can effectively harvest a turkey is dramatically influenced by the choke. A tighter choke, such as a turkey choke, extends your effective range. By concentrating the shot, it maintains a dense pattern at a longer distance than a more open choke would. Therefore, the optimal choke selection allows you to engage birds at distances where other options might be ineffective.
Terminal Ballistics
Beyond pattern density and range, the best turkey choke also affects terminal ballistics. A tighter choke configuration optimizes the pellet energy, ensuring maximum penetration and tissue disruption on impact. The tighter the constriction, the more energy the pellets retain as they travel through the air, which ultimately improves their ability to penetrate and disable the turkey.
Essential Considerations Before You Buy
Before you invest in a new turkey choke, there are important factors to consider to ensure a perfect fit for your Mossberg 935 and hunting style:
Gauge and Chamber Length
The Mossberg 935 is a 12-gauge shotgun with a 3.5-inch chamber. Verify the compatibility of any choke tube you consider, ensuring it is specifically designed for 12-gauge and 3.5-inch shells. Using the correct size is crucial for safety and optimum performance.
Shells Used
The selection of your ammunition plays a significant role. Different shell types, shot sizes, and brands often perform differently with the same choke. It is essential to test different shell and choke combinations to find the sweet spot for your shotgun. Pay attention to the shot size and shell weight. Typically, sizes like #4, #5, or #6 are used for turkey hunting. Some modern choke tubes are designed to work with specific premium turkey loads, and the results are impressive.
Intended Hunting Range
Finally, the range at which you typically take your shots should guide your choke selection. If you primarily hunt in dense forests or brushy areas, you might opt for a slightly less restrictive choke. This approach helps maintain a more consistent pattern at shorter ranges. Conversely, if you hunt in open fields where shots can be longer, a tighter choke, like those found on some of the best turkey choke models, is essential for reaching the turkey at those ranges.
Top Contenders for Your Mossberg 935
Selecting the best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 is a personal journey, but here are some highly regarded options, based on their consistent performance in the field, durability, and positive feedback from experienced hunters. This compilation is derived from real-world results, testing, and reviews, designed to aid you in finding the perfect companion for your next hunt.
\[Choke Name 1]: Unleashing Precision
Overview: This choke tube is a well-regarded option, known for its ability to produce tight, uniform patterns with a variety of turkey loads. It is crafted from premium materials and engineered for maximum durability.
Features: Construction typically involves stainless steel for corrosion resistance and longevity. The design often features porting to reduce recoil and muzzle rise, and may have a matte finish to minimize glare.
Performance: This choke often excels with premium turkey loads, including those with heavy shot counts and specialized wad designs. Hunters can expect effective ranges up to or beyond 50 yards, depending on the shells used and the conditions.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Excellent pattern density, reducing recoil, made with premium materials.
- Cons: May be more expensive than other options, and not all shell types may pattern well.
Pricing and Availability: Available from major retailers, and the price is usually in the mid-range.
\[Choke Name 2]: Engineered for Maximum Impact
Overview: Known for its innovative design and rugged construction, this is often praised by hunters seeking high-performance from their Mossberg 935. It often boasts a unique porting system to enhance shot performance.
Features: Crafted from high-grade stainless steel and typically features an extended design for improved accuracy. The porting system helps to reduce recoil and muzzle jump. The finish may have a specialized coating to protect from the elements.
Performance: This model is designed to pattern a wide variety of turkey loads very effectively, and it performs very well. Hunters consistently report achieving tight patterns at extended ranges, making it a favorite among those who take longer shots.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Extended effective range, superior pattern density, and very good recoil reduction.
- Cons: Might be more expensive than other options, but the improved performance is worth the investment for some.
Pricing and Availability: Easily accessible through online retailers and sporting goods stores.
\[Choke Name 3]: A Consistent Performer
Overview: A reliable and dependable option that consistently delivers the performance you need in the turkey woods. It’s built for the rigors of the hunt and often provides excellent value.
Features: Typically made from robust, high-quality steel, providing durability and long-lasting performance. The design prioritizes pattern consistency with various turkey loads.
Performance: This choke usually provides solid performance across various turkey load brands and shot sizes. While the effective range may not be as long as other options, it still delivers patterns that are effective within a typical turkey hunting range.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Good pattern consistency, reliable performance, and often found at a more affordable price point.
- Cons: Might not be as effective at longer ranges.
Pricing and Availability: Widely available at various price points, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
The Art of Patterning Your Shotgun
Patterning is a non-negotiable step in the pursuit of turkey hunting success. It involves firing your shotgun at a target to assess the spread and density of the shot pattern with a specific choke and shell combination. This crucial procedure lets you know how well the chosen components work together to achieve optimal results in the field.
The Importance of Patterning
Simply put, patterning is an essential part of ethical hunting. By determining how your shotgun, choke tube, and ammunition work together, you can know your effective range and ensure a clean, quick kill. Without patterning, you’re shooting blind, and it’s almost impossible to know whether your setup is up to the challenge.
Steps for Patterning a Shotgun
- Safety First: Always practice safe gun handling. Ensure the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction before handling it. Always wear eye and ear protection.
- Equipment Needed: You’ll need a large paper target (ideally with a turkey head silhouette), a measuring tape, a marker, a stable shooting rest, and the ammunition you intend to use during your hunt.
- Distance: The standard distance for patterning is 40 yards. If you plan on taking shots at shorter ranges, you can also pattern at 20-30 yards.
- Target: Center your target. Use the marker to create a prominent aiming point.
- Shooting Procedure: Set up your target and take your stance. Use a stable rest to minimize human error. Carefully aim at the center of the target and fire at least three shots to get a representative pattern.
- Analyzing the Pattern: After shooting, count the number of pellet strikes within a 10-inch circle centered on the aiming point. Then, count the number of pellets in the turkey head. Analyze the distribution of the pellets. A good pattern will have dense, even coverage.
Beyond the Choke: Additional Considerations
Shell Selection: Choosing the right turkey loads goes hand-in-hand with choke selection. Consider shot size, weight, and the shell’s velocity. Heavier payloads (e.g., 2 ounces) and higher velocities can extend your effective range. Conduct the patterning process with different shell types to find the combination that provides the tightest pattern at your anticipated hunting distances.
Maintenance and Cleaning: Always clean your choke tube and shotgun barrel after each shooting session. Use a dedicated shotgun cleaning kit. This will remove any debris, powder residue, and lead buildup that can impact performance and the lifespan of your equipment.
Other Equipment: While the best turkey choke for Mossberg 935 is critical, remember the importance of other equipment. Use a quality riflescope or a red dot sight, especially if you expect longer shots. Consider wearing camouflage clothing and using a good quality decoy. A reliable rangefinder can help you accurately judge distances.
Final Thoughts and the Path Ahead
Selecting the best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 is a decision that significantly impacts your effectiveness and success in the turkey woods. Armed with the information in this guide, you are better equipped to make an informed choice. Remember to prioritize patterning your shotgun with different chokes and shell combinations to determine what works best.
We’ve covered the essentials – the fundamental characteristics of chokes, the key elements to consider, and some highly-regarded options. Now it’s time to put in the work. Experiment, find your optimal load, and head into the field with confidence.
The sport of turkey hunting provides many thrills. However, remember to practice ethical hunting and conservation practices at all times. Have fun, and good luck this season!
