Turkey Hunting Success: 15 Best 20 Gauge Turkey Chokes

The 20 gauge cartridge has established itself as a versatile choice for turkey hunting, offering balanced performance and extended reliability. This article examines the most effective 20 gauge turkey chokes available today, comparing their patterns and suitability for different hunting scenarios.

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Reviews

20ga Turkey Choke

This 20-gauge turkey choke features JEBS' patented multi-staged interior bore design, which enhances shot and wad cup separation for tighter patterns at longer ranges. While it's suitable for both experienced hunters and newcomers, its primary strength lies in delivering consistent, dense patterns on target for improved turkey hunting success.

Browning Invector DS 20 Gauge Turkey Choke

Crafted from nickel chrome moly steel with a durable chrome silver finish, these Browning Invector-DS choke tubes combine premium construction with innovative features. The proprietary differential banded gas seal keeps your choke tubes clean and makes installation a breeze, while the extended design eliminates hassle during removal. The optimized percentage taper ensures consistent performance every time you pull the trigger.

Hammond 193D Filter Choke

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Primos Jellyhead TSS Mobile .410 Choke

These. 410 choke tubes fit the new Primos TSS load, giving you precise control over shot placement at longer ranges. The extended design helps prevent barrel binding during quick changes, while the mobil thread pattern ensures a secure connection. Each tube measures just over 7.75 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter, providing that crucial extra inch of extended choke needed for turkey hunting.

Iver Johnson Choke Tube

The Iver Johnson 20ga Skeet Mobil choke tube extends beyond standard designs with its specialized mobility threads, allowing for optimal pattern dispersion during skeet shooting. This choke tube is engineered specifically for 20ga shells, featuring a skeet-oriented constriction that helps manage shot spread at various ranges. The extended tube length couples with the mobil thread pattern to provide reliable performance in competitive or recreational skeet shooting scenarios.

Carlson Cremator Browning Invector Plus Choke

This precision-choked tube solves common skeet shooting problems with its clever design. The triple-shot technology gradually constricts the shot column, creating tighter patterns at longer ranges while reducing errant "flyer" pellets. The precision-engineered stainless steel construction—backed by durable black oxide coating—ensures consistent performance with every type of shot and speed, from small-clay targets to challenging goose hunts.

Carlsons Choke Tube Flush

Crafted from durable stainless steel, these full choke tubes deliver consistent shot patterns for both clay targets and small game. The. 590-inch diameter ensures reliable performance with steel shot throughout their range of compatibility. These chokes have earned high praise from shooters who appreciate their simple effectiveness.

Iver Johnson Choke Tube

This improved cylinder choke is made for 20-gauge shotguns with a mobil thread pattern. The extended stainless steel tube gives you extra length for consistent patterns at skeet shooting distances.

Primos Jelly Head Maximum 69410 Choke

The Primos Jelly Head Maximum 69410 has earned top ratings for its ability to deliver tight patterns at turkey hunting distances. This Remington VersaMax-compatible choke uses an extended taper and fluted ports to improve pattern density while reducing recoil. Hunters have praised its consistency across different barrel lengths and loads, with some reporting excellent results at 45 yards using #5 shot.

Primos 69407 Jelly Head Ben SBEII Choke

The Primos jelly head choke adds range and pattern density to your turkey gun, with an extended taper and fluted ports that reduce recoil and tighten patterns by 20%. The military-grade black-t coating protects against rust and corrosion in harsh hunting environments. Users report exceptional pattern density at 60 yards, though some may need to test different shell types to find the best performance.

Primos Jellyhead TSS Invector .410 Choke

This extended choke tube works great with TSS loads and keeps installation simple without needing tools. It's made for the. 410 gauge and has a sleek black design that won't add much bulk to your gun. Whether you're turkey hunting or shooting skeet, it helps deliver tight patterns with different shot types.

Primos Jelly Head Rem Choke

The Primos Jelly Head choke extends your turkey gun's range while maintaining tight patterns. Its military-grade coating protects against rust and corrosion. Users report impressive results, with patterns holding true to 50 yards using various shot sizes.

Primos Jelly Head 69403

The Primos Jelly Head Maximum delivers exceptional pattern density up to 69 inches, specifically engineered for 20-gauge turkey rifles. The extended taper and fluted ports reduce recoil while maintaining tight patterns, making it ideal for long-range turkey hunting. The durable black-t nitride coating prevents rust and corrosion, ensuring reliable performance shot after shot.

Primos 69411 .570 Turkey Choke Tube

This premium Benelli M2 choke tube combines an extended taper and fluted ports to deliver tight patterns while reducing recoil - perfect for long-range turkey hunting. The Black-T coating withstands harsh environments, while the. 570 constriction provides optimal performance with heavy loads.

Carlsons 14412 Browning Inv Flush Mount Choke

Made from durable 17-4 heat-treated stainless steel, these chokes are designed for Browning Invector Plus shotguns. The 7.85-inch-long tubes work well with steel, lead, and Hevi-Shot ammunition except when specific size and speed limits apply. While some users praise their cleanability and resistance to corrosion, others have noted issues with difficult-to-read markings and compatibility with certain tools.

Buyer's Guide

The 20 gauge turkey choke represents a popular compromise between 12 gauge power and 20 gauge versatility for wild turkey hunting. Understanding the characteristics of different turkey chokes helps hunters select the right spread pattern and performance for their shooting style and hunting conditions.

Choke Types and Patterns

Standard turkey chokes typically produce an effective pattern of 1,200 to 1,500 shot at 40 yards. Improved cylinder and modified chokes offer slightly tighter patterns, while extra full chokes create the tightest spreads for close-range shots. The optimal choke depends on the hunter's shooting distance and personal preference.

Shot Size Considerations

For 20 gauge hunting, nickel plated 8s or 7x shot are standard choices that balance penetrative power and pattern integrity. Some hunters prefer heavier 6.5 shot for longer ranges, while experienced shooters might use 7x in modified chokes for improved pattern control. The selected shot size impacts both pattern density and penetration depth.

Choke Installation and Maintenance

Most turkey chokes attach via screw-in or slip-fit mechanisms, with screw-in chokes requiring regular torque checks to maintain proper installation. Proper installation ensures consistent shot patterns and prevents costly malfunctions during hunting. Regular inspection and cleaning maintain choke functionality and extend barrel lifespan.

Testing and Calibration

Before turkey season, hunters should test their choke and load combination at various ranges to establish an effective pattern. This process helps determine the optimal choke setting and load configuration for consistent hits at common turkey distances. Field testing under realistic conditions ensures reliable performance during hunts.

FAQ

What is a 20 gauge turkey choke?

A 20 gauge turkey choke is specialized shotgun barrel configuration designed to improve pattern density and shot dispersion at closer ranges. These chokes reduce the bore diameter to effectively pattern fewer but larger pellets, ideal for patterning and shooting clay targets or turkey gizzards.

The typical 20 gauge turkey choke constrains the shot pattern to approximately 30 inches in diameter at 40 yards, compared to a standard 20 gauge barrel's 36-inch pattern. This tighter pattern helps maintain pellet concentration on the target, particularly important when shooting at close to medium ranges.

What makes a choke effective for turkey hunting?

Effective turkey chokes balance shot spread and penetration. A choke that's too tight can cause excessive drop and reduced pattern size, while one that's too loose may not provide sufficient pattern density to reliably take down a moving target.

Optimal turkey chokes typically constrict the barrel by 1/8 to 3/16 inch, resulting in a 30-inch pattern at 40 yards. This pattern size helps ensure that a turkey-sized target is hit by several pellets, increasing the chances of a clean, ethical kill.

Can a turkey choke be used with any 20 gauge shotgun?

Not all 20 gauge shotguns are compatible with turkey chokes. These specialized chokes are shorter than standard choke tubes and require a specific chamber designation, typically marked "IC" (Improved Cylinder) or "S. " Always check your shotgun's chamber before installing a turkey choked barrel or tube.

If your shotgun's chamber isn't compatible, you can use turkey choke tubes as replacement tubes rather than complete barrels. These tubes attach to the existing barrel via a screw-on design.

How do I measure shot pattern with a turkey choke?

To measure shot pattern with a turkey choke, use a pattern board at a consistent distance and shoot several rounds from the same standing position. Standard measurement distances are 40 yards for benchrest shooting and 30 yards for field shooting.

At the measurement distance, the shot pattern should cover approximately 30 inches in diameter for effective turkey hunting. Measure the pattern's maximum diameter, ensuring it's not more than 36 inches to maintain adequate pellet concentration.

Do I need different choke levels for different shooting disciplines?

For competitive shooting disciplines, multiple choke levels may be appropriate. For field shooting or hunting, a single choke level typically serves all scenarios effectively.

Improved Cylinder (IC) or Skeet chokes (SL) are popular for their balance between pattern density and shot velocity. These work well for both practice and most hunting situations. For longer ranges or tougher targets, a Modified (M) choke may be preferred.

What should I consider when choosing between turkey choke barrels and tubes?

Barrel options offer more consistent performance and easier cleaning but are more expensive and require more maintenance. Tube options are less expensive and can be customized, but may not match the barrel's performance or accuracy.

Consider your shooting discipline and frequency. Competitive shooters often prefer barrels for their consistency, while casual shooters might opt for tubes due to their lower initial cost and ease of replacement.

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