I need help with choke tube

[Jim K]

I just bought a Franchi Affinity3 in 20 gauge. I want to shoot tss 7's out of it. I would go with 9's but not all states allow them yet.

I shot some patterns at 40&20 with full choke tube that came with the gun. The pattern at 40 was real good but at 20 was waaaay to tight for my taste. Kinda like a grapefruit.

I tried a shot at 40 with the modified choke but it was not good at all.

My full choke is .590 and mod is .609.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to shoot past 40 yds and most birds I shoot are well under that. Thanks for any help. Jim

[Happy]

Sounds like maybe you should try an improved modified.

[skimerhorn]

Gonna be really hard to get a good pattern at 20 and 40. May need to settle on the good pattern and use a red dot to help with the shot at 20?

[dirt road ninja]

If your not looking to stretch out, go back to HTL 7's.  They tend to open up more than TSS.

[Yoder409]

I'm guessing try something .595" - .600" AND get a red dot.


A call to William at SumToy wouldn't hurt, either............nice fellow to talk to and knows his crap.

[fountain2]

I'd like to see your pattern at 40 with the 7s
Most 20 chokes are in the 555-565 range which is a good bit tighter than your factory full.  You may be better served with going to a red dot sight.  My 20 wjths 9s has a fairly forgiving pattern at 20 with a fairly tight core at 40.  The 20s seem to be a bit more forgiving up close compared to a 12

[nyhunter]

grapefruit size pattern at 20 isn't really all that tight in my opinion. I'd stick with the full and go hunting.

[Jim K]

I really don't want to go with a red dot if I don't have to. If I shoot a bird at 20 yds with this choke dead center, the head will be gone. I appreciate the advise guys. I'll have to think this over a bit. I believe I'll call Trulock and talk to them. Thanks again, Jim

[Greg Massey]

I'm shooting Trulock 565 out of my 20 gauge shooting Federal HW 7 and it's a great pattern 0-40 ... If your gun is shooting a grapefruit size hole at 20 yards , i see nothing wrong with that pattern , it just means most all shot will be in the head of the turkey , less shot in the rest of the turkey .. Don't worry if it takes the turkey head off , but you will be surprised the turkey head is pretty hard to take off ... good luck .. but i think your over thinking little to much....

[fountain2]

I'm shooting Trulock 565 out of my 20 gauge shooting Federal HW 7 and it's a great pattern 0-40 ... If your gun is shooting a grapefruit size hole at 20 yards , i see nothing wrong with that pattern , it just means most all shot will be in the head of the turkey , less shot in the rest of the turkey .. Don't worry if it takes the turkey head off , but you will be surprised the turkey head is pretty hard to take off ... good luck .. but i think your over thinking little to much....

Last sentence is dead on.  I'm not saying it cant be done, but taking a head off with a 20 isnt as easily done as with a 12.  The pattern you have now sounds very nice.  Most any choke manufacturer you contact will reccomend and 555 on up to 580 depending upon the shot you decide to shoot.  The 20 fmyard patterns will remain about the same.  The 40 yard core will tighten up. 
I've shot one the thickness of a hay bale and didnt take his head off.   It blew a hole through him, but not off.   

[Jim K]

I talked to the owner of Trulock chokes today. He said shooting tss, I'll never get what I want with any choke. He suggested Longbeard 6's and a choke tube of .575. So I'm going to try that combo.

He said I can return the choke in 60 days and swap it for another or get a refund. Very nice man and you can't beat that offer.

He also said I'm 1 out of 200. Most calls he gets are people wanting to know how far they can kill them with a certain choke. Lol

[Gobble!]

I talked to the owner of Trulock chokes today. He said shooting tss, I'll never get what I want with any choke.

Yeah TSS #7s are going to be tight at 20 yards no matter what your shooting. If you could shoot #9s it would be different.

[chipper]

Carlson .585 to .575.