Newbie question about chokes

[indybeard]

Greetings! I'm failry new to turkey hunting & recently recieved a Mossy 535 with the xx full choke. From what I've read,I know the 535 isn't "the best" out there,but it's what I've got.My question is...do I stick with the factory choke,or look for an aftermarket choke.Also, what shot in the 3" would compliment the choke recommended? I know I'm beating a dead horse about chokes & ammo but haven't read anything regarding the 535's.Thanks!

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

You need a choke in the .660 to .670 range would be my guess.  There are a lot of good turkey chokes out there.  You may try a Jelly Head and save some money over the more expensive choices.  But Pure Gold, Indian Creek seem to shoot very well in most guns.  You may check gunbroker and check out some of the MAD chokes on there.  They seem to shoot very well from what I have seen from the one I have for my 835.  Hevi-13 3" 2oz #7's or 6's ought to give you very dense patterns out of a good choke that I mentioned with these exit diameters.  And you may even get good results out of a .655.  But I would say .665 ought to be about the norm for best results. 

[Todd1700]

First there is nothing wrong with a Mossberg 535. Yeah it's not a Benelli but you don't need a 1200 dollar gun to kill turkeys. I owned one that threw good patterns and I killed a lot of turkeys with it.

As for chokes and shells I wish I could tell you for certain to get this choke and that type of shell and you would be good to go. But I'm afraid that every gun is an entity unto itself. What choke/shell combo one Mossberg 535 patterns well with is by no means a certainty to perform well in a second 535.

You also must decide how much am I looking to spend and how good of a pattern am I going to be satisfied with. The standard rule of thumb around here is that at least 100 pellets evenly spread inside a 10 inch circle is a good killing pattern. The farthest distance your rig will maintain that level is your maximum range. Most people would like to achieve that mark out to at least 40 yards.

I personally am a denser than lead hardcore convert. It typically out patterns lead by a wide margin and penetrates so well that it allows you to shoot 6's or even 7's (if legal in your area) out to 40 yards with confidence.

So, if I were you, knowing what I know now, I would start out with a Primos Jelly Head choke and some Hevi 13 Mag Blends (a duplex load), or Hevi 13 Straight 6's or Straight 7's. Winchester Extended range 6's are also a good shell. If you are unlucky and the Jelly Head doesn't cut it then I'd try an Indian Creek choke. But I'd lose good money betting that a Jelly Head and one of those four types of shells will get you a decent pattern at 40 yards.

[chatterbox]

I had a 535 and got my best results from a .660 JH and 3-2-6 Hevi-13.

[mightyjoeyoung]

I had a 535 and got my best results from a .660 JH and 3-2-6 Hevi-13.

Same as most 500's too!   

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

What worked in a Moss 500 may not necessarily work in a 535 since it is chambered for 3.5".  But I would say the bore should still be probably the same dimensions of around .729 or so.  So I would say a .660 if that is what the 500 boys liked that it may be a good place to start like others have said. 

[ncturkey]

There have been some good info. for ya. I one add one thing. If you do decide to buy a Indian Creek or Pure Gold Choke I would call either company and find out what they would recommend for your Mossy 535. Both companies are great to work with.

[njdevilsb]

Here's a pattern from my 535 with an Indian Creek .660 shooting Hevi-13 3.5" #7's at 40 yards.  I realize you said you were looking in the 3" range, but this could give you a start.  The 535 is a very good gun in my opinion.  I have shot quite a few birds with mine over the last 3 or 4 years, and 2 of them were with the factory choke and Winchester HV 3.5" #6's.  Depending on what you are looking for as far as maximum range, how much testing you want to do, and how much you want to spend, you may be satisfied sticking with what you have and shooting lead.

[chatterbox]

My patterns weren't quite as good as njdevilsb, but these were out of my 535.
Gives you an idea of the patterns that are possible with a hevi-13 3-2-6 shell.

[indybeard]

Thanks for all the input fellas! That gives me a good starting place.