Help me decide........choke and load

[czecheiko]

Gun -  Mossberg 835 "Turkey Thug" - 20" barrel

After much research, I've narrowed it down to the following two chokes:
1.  TruGlo SSX - .670
2.  Primos JH - .690

Loads:
1.  Hevi - 3" or 3.5"  #6, #7  or Magblends  
Im looking for a nice, even, dense, hunting pattern.

This will be my first "go round" with hevi shot

Thoughts?

[Philippe]

I would shoot the ssx with either the 3 or 3 1/2 hevi's, i just dont care for the blends.

[Onpoint]

I don't have a 835 but my grandad has a 24" and my uncle has a 20" 835. They both shoot Indian creek tubes. My uncle shoots 3.5 Winchester XX #6's and my grandad shoots 3" hevi 6's. Both will easily kill a turkey farther than we're allowed to talk about on this forum.. But between your choice of the JH and SSX. I'd go SSX hands down in the 835.

[ledhead]

I would call William at SumToy Customs! He makes a MEAN 20 GAUGE CHOKE!!

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

Well I have a 835 but with a 28" barrel.  I have shot both of those chokes.  I can tell you without a doubt in my mind whatsoever that the SSX is the way to go.  I would strongly recommend shooting Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7's.   

[czecheiko]

Sounds like Im gonna give the SSX a try first.  I've shot 3" shells out of an 870 and a CZ 712 for the past 14 years.  Do the 3.5" hevi produce better patterns consistently than the 3"?   I think I've narrowed it down to the straight 6 or 7's.  The patterns I've seen with the 7's on here are amazing.......   Wish I could get that little voice out my head telling me I need bigger shot.

I know I may have to spend some time with different combos, but Im looking at a good starting point.... Sheesh, those loads are pricey

[Tom Foolery]

  Wish I could get that little voice out my head telling me I need bigger shot.

That little voice has not shot hevi 7's.  Same voice talked to me too until I tried them.  After seeing how they treat turkeys the little voice is now mute and looking to shoot hevi 7's also. 

[allaboutshooting]

Gun -  Mossberg 835 "Turkey Thug" - 20" barrel

After much research, I've narrowed it down to the following two chokes:
1.  TruGlo SSX - .670
2.  Primos JH - .690

Loads:
1.  Hevi - 3" or 3.5"  #6, #7  or Magblends  
Im looking for a nice, even, dense, hunting pattern.

This will be my first "go round" with hevi shot

Thoughts?

I'd agree with the majority of the recommendations you've received and go with the SSX. I shoot that choke in both the 835 and the 935 and mainly use 3" Hevi-13 with 2 oz. of #6 shot, just because I shoot so much of that in still target competition and know what it does at various ranges. I would not however, hesitate to shoot the #7 shot load.

If you prefer the 3.5" shells, I'd go with the #6 or #7 shot, with those same shells. Either size shot will do the job very well.

Lastly, I would recommend that you "deep clean" the bore of that gun. It can really help more than you might imagine.

Good luck this spring.

Thanks,
Clark

[R AJ]

I vote for the SSX and 3" 2oz. #7 shot. Recoil is less on your shoulder and all the whammy needed for a turkey noggin'. If it were left up to the turkeys I believe they would outlaw that combination as just not fair to the poor ol' bird.

[longhorn]

TruGlo SSX with hvy 3.5" #7. There is big difference in pellets in a 10" circle at 40 yards with 3" and 3.5". I'm 63 with a rotator cuff problem and I've have never felt the recoil from the 3.5" while shooting at a turkey. You won't know the difference but the turkey will.

[chipper]

SSX .670 or Pure Gold .670 and a Hevi 13 # 7's all day!

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

This thread is useless without pictures. So give me about 5 min and I will show you since I am from the Show-Me-State wy I would pick the SSX.  But the Jelly Head still throws a mean overall pattern. 

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

40yds tape measured shooting Hevi-13 3.5" 2.25oz #7's

Jelly Head .690 temp was probably around 65 degrees or so



TruGlo SSX temp was 45 degrees



Now that I have had time to think about the TruGlo SSX choke I had, I did get to shoot it to see how it would do on like a 70 degree day since my Star Dot shoot so well at this temp.  Here's what it did at 40yds.  I remeber now it wouldn't beat my Star Dot.  But it still shot one heck of a pattern.



And here was the Star Dot from that day.