question for you experts

[Nick_The_Tinkerer]

OK first off Im a total newbie so be kind and gentle like 

when you are choosing a choke for a gun, how do you go about selecting the right restriction, what is the theory behind it?

How does this change per change in ammo such as lead to hevi?

How does this change from shot size such as 5 to say 7 or a mix....

Which brands of shot shells are consistent performers in lead or hevi is there a set of guidelines for selecting?

[Neill_Prater]

I'm probably the least expert of any who will respond, but just noticed your post so thought I'd give you some kind of reply. Every gun is somewhat like people, an individual. However, there are  guys on here who shoot a lot of paper with multiple chokes, shells, and guns, so if you have a particular shotgun you want to rig up for turkey hunting, more than likely someone will be able to give you a good starting point as to what combo to use. It doesn't mean it will necessarily be the best in your gun, but it can save a lot of expensive trial and error, and, will in all likelihood immediately result in a combo perfectly capable of killing turkeys at any reasonable distance.

I realize this isn't exactly answering your question, but rather pointing out that as a newbie, it doesn't have to be as complicated as it seems, unless you want to make it that way. 

[dirt road ninja]

Like the previous post I'm no expert and different guns like different things.

Here are a few things I've found to be consistant.

The smaller the shot the tighter you can go with the choke.

Lead normally will perform better out of a more open choke then HTL of the same size.

If I were you I would decide on what load you wanted to shoot, then research what others have had success with.

[remmy1187]

Just read up alot on here with what works with similar guns and loads and give them a try.  Can be very expensive.  If you have some friends with the same "sickness"  you could try splitting the costs.  Maybe you will get lucky with the first combination of choke/load/gun.

[honker22]

Tell us your type of gun and any shells or chokes you may already have.  You will save a lot of time and money from all of us "experts" that have been the trial and error route.

[MOStrutter]

My advice is to go by a $25 turkey choke and some Winchester 5 or 6s and go hunting.  Pattern your gun to make sure it shoots where you aim it, and go.  Get to learn about how to kill turkeys, and then later, learn what is the best way to kill them.  If you spend the first few years learning how to get them within 35 yards then you will be better off for it in the long run.

[allaboutshooting]

OK first off Im a total newbie so be kind and gentle like 

when you are choosing a choke for a gun, how do you go about selecting the right restriction, what is the theory behind it?

How does this change per change in ammo such as lead to hevi?

How does this change from shot size such as 5 to say 7 or a mix....

Which brands of shot shells are consistent performers in lead or hevi is there a set of guidelines for selecting?

The only way that I have found to know what works is to shoot different chokes and guns with all of the shells that are available. That's all that I do and it's what I've done over the last 12 years since most of the tungsten-based shells have been introduced.

It was simpler prior to that time when there were just a few lead shot shells available for us but it's very interesting seeing just what works with what.

I own most of the popular priced guns made by Beretta, Benelli, Browning, Mossberg, Remington,Winchester and several of the lesser known brands from Europe and Asia, as well as several custom turkey guns. I have most of the barrel lengths available for each of those guns from 21", 24", 26", 28" and 30" with some odd length barrels in between.

I've purchased most if not all of the commercially available choke tubes in most if not all of the exit diameters offered as well as several custom chokes.

I've done that over a long period of time and watched as some choke brands and models have come and gone. Shotshells have also come and gone over the years and most if not all of them have changed during that time as well.

I'm fortunate in that I have a range that is 150 yards from my office that I use to evaluate all kinds of shooting products.

I can also compare the results that I see at my range with different combinations of guns, chokes and shells as I  travel the country to participate in still target shoots as well as other shooting events. I see actual results in competition at 40 yards. I take the time to look at the 10" patterns that are shot by other shooters because that tells me a lot about what works, especially with unaltered hunter class guns.

I record a lot of information from the various combinations that I shoot and keep track of the atmospheric conditions, so that I know how patterns are effected by temperature, etc.

I keep learning as the years go by and as I spend more and more time with guns, chokes and shotshells.

Lastly, even with all of that, I've found that there are differences in the performance of even very similar guns. The information that I glean is generally on target but performance will vary some from gun to gun.

Please forgive the long answer to your rather short question but it's the only way that I know how to really explain how to find out what works best in various guns.

If I can be of help, just let me know.

Thanks,
Clark

[st8tman]

Thanks for the answer Clark.......quite informative...and quite the Gentleman!

[Bamarich]

One of the first things I learned when Hevi-shot came out was that hevi-shot didn't shoot well through normal constricted chokes for guns.  Once I learned that a more open constriction was needed for them, my patterning improved greatly.  Also, look at forum posts for your particular gun... someone has probably covered ground you won't have to cover.

[Ctomp1974]

Just read up alot on here with what works with similar guns and loads and give them a try.  Can be very expensive.  If you have some friends with the same "sickness"  you could try splitting the costs.  Maybe you will get lucky with the first combination of choke/load/gun.

Good Advice!! I was in your shoes a few years back. Just ask about your particular gun and I'm sure you'll get many opinions, most will have pics. Use these opinions to get headed in the right direction. IMHO you get the most milage from finding the proper shell for your needs/wants than any other component. Then Choke, polishing/deep cleaning ect.


Clint

[Nick_The_Tinkerer]

WOW thanks for all the great info guys, but I was seeking understanding, and guidelines and after Clarks informative, detailed and extensive research I realised, I got a long way to go LOL.....

So perhaps I should begin with myself and my gun...

I have a jinx on Turkey, I have yet to kill one, always something strange happens...

Last episode, getting ticked off on my luck hired a guide and his brother who is a biologist came as well to film and call....two expert callers, all I had to do was learn, listen and shoot...riiiiiiight!

Bird is coming in, gobbling his head off, I dont care jake or 3 yr old bird Im going to break my jinx of 4 yrs...

out of no where COYOTE comes in and tries to catch the Turkey I look at my guide and he says he has been guiding for years and that has never happened to him before!

So I want to finally break this Jinx!!!!

I bought a Mossberg 835 24" ported barrel because all said it was just a killer gun for the money and easy to tune.

So tell me a shot that wont cost me arm and a leg, easily available, and the proper choke to use.....

I read about Clarks deep cleaning and another guy here explained about polishing so that will get done as well.

What is your recommendation for dedicated Turkey / Predator gun - scope or red dot?

Hows that for a long list of questions....

[Nick_The_Tinkerer]