Finding the best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 is crucial for a successful hunt. The right choke tube significantly impacts your shot pattern, ensuring tight groupings for clean kills at longer ranges. This guide dives deep into selecting the optimal choke for your specific needs, considering factors like shot size, distance, and hunting style. We'll cover various choke types, brands, and provide recommendations to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Choke Tubes and Their Impact on Performance
A choke tube restricts the diameter of the barrel's muzzle, influencing the shot pattern. Different chokes create different patterns: A full choke produces a very tight pattern, ideal for long-range shots, while an improved cylinder offers a wider spread, better suited for close-range situations. Your Mossberg 935, known for its reliability and versatility, benefits greatly from using the correct choke for your hunting style and target range.
Types of Turkey Chokes:
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Full Choke: Provides the tightest pattern, maximizing range but reducing the effective kill zone. Best for shots beyond 40 yards where accuracy is paramount.
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Extra Full Choke: Even tighter than a full choke, offering the longest effective range but with the smallest shot spread. Use cautiously, as precise shot placement is critical.
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Turkey Choke (Modified or Improved Cylinder): These are popular all-around choices offering a balance between pattern density and shot spread. Effective for shots within 30-40 yards.
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Improved Cylinder: Offers a wide pattern, best for close-range shots where a wider spread is beneficial. Not ideal for longer-range hunting.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Choke for your Mossberg 935
Several factors should influence your choice of turkey choke:
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Shot Size: The size of your shot (e.g., #4, #5, #6) influences the pattern density. Larger shot sizes generally need tighter chokes for optimal performance at longer ranges.
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Hunting Distance: Your typical hunting distance directly impacts the choke selection. Closer shots (<30 yards) may benefit from a less restrictive choke, while longer shots require tighter constriction.
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Turkey Behavior: Understanding how turkeys behave in your hunting area is important. Are they typically found in open fields (longer shots) or dense woods (closer shots)? This influences your choke selection.
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Ammunition: The type of ammunition you use also plays a role. Some ammunition performs better with certain chokes. Experimentation is key to finding the best combination.
Top Choke Tube Brands for Mossberg 935
Several reputable brands manufacture high-quality choke tubes compatible with the Mossberg 935:
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Carlson's Chokes: Known for their precision engineering and consistent performance. They offer a wide range of turkey chokes, including their popular "Longbeard XR" series.
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Comp-N-Chokes: Offers durable and reliable chokes designed to deliver tight patterns. Their "Tru-Lock" system ensures a secure fit.
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Patternmaster: Famous for their innovative designs and focus on pattern density. Their "Improved Cylinder" is surprisingly effective at longer ranges due to its unique design.
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Factory Mossberg Chokes: While sometimes overlooked, the factory chokes are surprisingly reliable and can perform well. They offer a cost-effective option.
Case Study: Choosing a Choke for a Specific Hunting Scenario
Let's say you're hunting in a field with typical shots ranging from 30-40 yards. You're using #5 shot. In this scenario, a modified turkey choke from a reputable brand like Carlson's or Comp-N-Chokes would likely provide the best balance of pattern density and shot spread. You should still pattern your gun to verify this.
Testing and Pattern Your Gun
It's crucial to pattern your gun with various chokes and ammunition before heading out on the hunt. This allows you to determine the ideal choke for your specific setup and hunting style.
| Choke Type | Shot Size | Average Distance (Yards) | Pattern Density | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improved Cylinder | #4, #5, #6 | < 30 | Open | Close-range shots |
| Modified | #4, #5, #6 | 30-40 | Moderate | Medium range, versatile |
| Full | #4, #5 | > 40 | Tight | Long-range shots |
| Extra Full | #4 | > 40 | Very Tight | Extremely long-range shots (Advanced) |
Remember to always prioritize safety when handling firearms.
Conclusion
Selecting the best turkey choke for your Mossberg 935 requires careful consideration of various factors. By understanding the different choke types, reputable brands, and the importance of patterning your gun, you can significantly enhance your chances of a successful turkey hunt. Choose the choke that best matches your hunting style, typical shooting distance, and ammunition. Happy hunting!