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Turkey Guns & Shooting => 20 Gauge Turkey Guns => Topic started by: VanHelden Game Calls on February 28, 2014, 09:55:10 AM

Title: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: VanHelden Game Calls on February 28, 2014, 09:55:10 AM
Alright guys I just picked up a 870 youth gun for my 10yr old.  Now to decide what choke to get, I have different thoughts depending on the day :z-dizzy:

option 1 get a turkey choke....
option 2 use a full choke .....

I am leaning on option 2 as I have been involved with LTH and we try to get the birds into slam dunk range.  But the patterns are so tight the kids miss.  It was brought up to use full chokes to open the patterns a bit.

Thoughts?
And does anyone have a choke they are looking to unload?  Willing to try anything at this point as we are on the ground floor.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: gophert on February 28, 2014, 10:34:06 AM
My daughter killed her first turkey at age 10 with the 870 youth 21" with the 2 3/4 Federal Heavyweight #7 and a SSX .550.  The turkey was about 23 yards.  I think the key is to get them to shoot at tin cans on sticks at your distance with bird shot until they are real comfortable.  I would simulate hunting situations and have her shoot the cans.  It was fun all the while she was learning how to shoot.  The full would definitely give the more open pattern, but you don't want it to be too open.  All you can do is shoot it and see.

Here is the SSX .550/Fed 2 3/4 #7 pattern.  Out to 30 yards, it is dangerous.  These loads are pretty low recoil as well.

(http://i1031.photobucket.com/albums/y372/Gophert/Gun%20Patterns/FedHW275SSX40.jpg) (http://s1031.photobucket.com/user/Gophert/media/Gun%20Patterns/FedHW275SSX40.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: mossyoakpro on February 28, 2014, 10:49:33 AM
I have a Primos Tightwad you are welcome to...and maybe a Carlson's, I will know after today when I pattern again.

The Primos is yours for sure....just shoot me an address to send it to.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: VanHelden Game Calls on February 28, 2014, 12:38:04 PM
Thanks guys and keep it coming. 

I know testing is needed to fine tune, but the LTH is in 4 weeks and its still single digits here with - wind chills. Testing to perfection will have to wait ;D
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: timberjack86 on February 28, 2014, 06:15:42 PM
My Mossberg 500 loves federal heavyweight 6's and undertaker choke.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: sonofabuck on February 28, 2014, 06:56:17 PM
Quote from: timberjack86 on February 28, 2014, 06:15:42 PM
My Mossberg 500 loves federal heavyweight 6's and undertaker choke.
Just curious do you have the Undertaker that IS approved for that shot or lead only?  I have a lead only and was just wondering. 
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: surehuntsalot on February 28, 2014, 09:00:14 PM
I run a .570 Tightwad,a .570 Hastings,a .575 Carlson and a .565 GSX in my 870 youth model
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: aimhard on February 28, 2014, 10:24:48 PM
I would closely consider a full or even modified, to make it more forgiving for the kids .
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: mightyjoeyoung on March 01, 2014, 08:53:01 AM
Quote from: sonofabuck on February 28, 2014, 06:56:17 PM
Quote from: timberjack86 on February 28, 2014, 06:15:42 PM
My Mossberg 500 loves federal heavyweight 6's and undertaker choke.
Just curious do you have the Undertaker that IS approved for that shot or lead only?  I have a lead only and was just wondering.

I'm shooting an unported undertaker in my 20 ga. Encore with HW 7's and get great patterns and have had zero issues with the choke swelling.  FWIW, the chokes (HTL AND pb chokes) are both made from the same exact steel.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: timberjack86 on March 01, 2014, 09:10:03 PM
Quote from: mightyjoeyoung on March 01, 2014, 08:53:01 AM
Quote from: sonofabuck on February 28, 2014, 06:56:17 PM
Quote from: timberjack86 on February 28, 2014, 06:15:42 PM
My Mossberg 500 loves federal heavyweight 6's and undertaker choke.
Just curious do you have the Undertaker that IS approved for that shot or lead only?  I have a lead only and was just wondering.

I'm shooting an unported undertaker in my 20 ga. Encore with HW 7's and get great patterns and have had zero issues with the choke swelling.  FWIW, the chokes (HTL AND pb chokes) are both made from the same exact steel.
My choke is made for HTL loads.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: dipitydo2003 on March 02, 2014, 10:26:47 AM
Go with an Indian Creek .555 thats what i got in my 870 21" and no trouble out to 50 yards with Hevi"s  #6"s.
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: VanHelden Game Calls on March 03, 2014, 12:16:00 PM
Thanks guys,  I have a choke coming thatks to a generous member here :camohat:

I will run the tests to se if I go with the turk choke or open it up, being 10 and inexperienced I want the shots close.
:gobble:
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: mightyjoeyoung on March 05, 2014, 08:11:45 PM
Let me know how it works.  i have a number of Remmy 20 gauge chokes laying around and I might be able to send one your way to try out. 
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: mossyoakpro on March 05, 2014, 10:21:32 PM
I put something extra in the box with the choke....did you get it yet?
Title: Re: What choke for a 21" barrel on a youth gun?
Post by: VanHelden Game Calls on March 06, 2014, 08:23:37 AM
YES!!  He received it Yesterday, THANK YOU! 

The first time I truly saw the fire in his eyes when it comes to hunting.  This is his first time "hunting" and up to this point I was not sure if I was pushing hi with fathers pride or if it was real initiative on his part.  It was answered last night after a 2 hr gun safety, how it works, turkey hunt lesson part 1.


Not sure who is happier at this point :z-flirtysmile3: