Tru Glo by Bansner choke?

[Borden811]

I picked up a browning gold stalker 3.5 today. When I bought it, I came with a box that had a bunch of shells, etc in it. I didn't pay much attention to it. I dug through it when I got home and found a tube labeled "turkey choke". All it says on it is "TruGlo by Bansner" and under that "156". I did a google search and didn't turn up much other than it was made in pa by the Mark Bansner, and it's supposedly a .665 constriction. What little info I found led me to believe this was a decent choke back in the day. So, should I try it? Do they have a good reputation? Would it be safe with HTL shot? Or should I just chuck it and start fresh?

[Philippe]

I have a few of them, they shoot ok, nothing to write home about. Cool to have for a collection though.

[chipper]

They are a good choke, I have killed many turkeys with a Banner choke in a 835 and a 870 and it shot one of the best patterned with Hevi 7's ive ever shot.

[Borden811]

I guess I better try it before I send it on down the line!

[allaboutshooting]

I picked up a browning gold stalker 3.5 today. When I bought it, I came with a box that had a bunch of shells, etc in it. I didn't pay much attention to it. I dug through it when I got home and found a tube labeled "turkey choke". All it says on it is "TruGlo by Bansner" and under that "156". I did a google search and didn't turn up much other than it was made in pa by the Mark Bansner, and it's supposedly a .665 constriction. What little info I found led me to believe this was a decent choke back in the day. So, should I try it? Do they have a good reputation? Would it be safe with HTL shot? Or should I just chuck it and start fresh?

You made a find. Mark Bansner is now a premier rifle builder but that choke has quite a following.

They are pretty hard to find and most who have them don't part with them or at least want a premium price for them.

I would certainly give it a try in your gun. You'll probably be pleased with what you see.

Thanks,
Clark

[chipper]

Thinking more about this choke from my earlier post, it put up the best patterns with lead that I ever shot out of my 870 including shooting against Kicks , comp n choke and ballistic specialties  chokes that gun loved the old federal premium and Winchester xx  2.25 once # 6 about equally out of the Bansner .665 in my 870 sps-t, it also shot the old whites from Hevi awesome , I shot a few of the Hevi #7 out of it but it shot like a 315 or so at 40 in the 10 ,it was one of my better patterns with that load, I bet it will shoot lights out with Winchester New Longbeard load.

[mikejd]

Great Find on a great choke. Definetly my favorite choke. I have a few of them.

[Borden811]

Mikejd, what loads are you shooting out of it?

[KYStalker]

I just picked up a new in the package Bansner for my 835 a few weeks ago.  Can't wait to try it when it gets warmer.

[mikejd]

Mikejd, what loads are you shooting out of it?

Actually I have a Truglo Mark Banser for my Winchester 1300, Mossberg 835 and a browning gold.
The best thing about the choke is how even and perfect a pattern I get. This holds true with all three guns. I have shot everything from #4 lead through them to Hevi #7's. The consistancy holds true for all of the rounds. I usually run Hevi 13 "6's. Give it a go I promise you will not be disappointed.

[Borden811]

The more you guys tell me, the more excited I'm getting to shot this gun/choke. I'm thinking I might pick up some long beards to run through it, and make it my lead shooter. If it patterns well, I might gave to get it dipped. Anyone have a recommendation for some adjustable iron sights?

[Gold Spur]

Congrats on your new Browning! Let us know how she patterns.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Back in the late 80's and early 90's that choke was a .690 for the Moss 835.  Now it was believed way back then and even Hastings chokes thought that optimum patterns in the Moss 835 were obtained with a .690 choke.  Even Moss when they made the Ulti-Full turkey choke they made it at .695.  Now at the time Hastings was one of the few choke makers along with Kick's and Comp-n-Choke made chokes all the way down to .670 and .680 offerings.  Hastings offered from .675 to .690 for their turkey listed chokes.  I think they made one at .705, too.  Later on most folks realized that optimum patterns with most turkey loads were had from chokes in the .670 to .680 range for the Moss 835.  So with that the Bansner chokes in their day were good chokes.  But they won't compete with the Star Dot .676, TruGlo SSX .670, Indian Creek .675 BDS or Pure Gold .670 chokes. 

[allaboutshooting]

So much depends on the "internal geometry" of the choke tube and what the designer put into his choke. That's why the exit diameter, that most of us like to use to describe a choke tube, is not the most important part.

Mark and other designers understand that it's all about how they design the choke that counts. There are subtle differences in the angles and other internals that can make a major difference in how a choke patterns.

The most interesting thing to me is that an excellent design holds up over the years, regardless of the shot type or shell type. A good design is a good design, witness the Mark Bansner chokes of over a decade ago.

Thanks,
Clark

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

I agree with what you said totally on the internals of any choke, Clark.  But I also believe that you got to be in the ballpark for what a barrel from a particular gun likes for exit diameters.  I for the life of me can't see any .690 choke out shooting a good .670 to .680 choke in the Moss 835's.  That's the range that I have seen optimum patterns with most loads unless you want to shoot lead #4 loads.