Turkey Choke and Ammo

Carlson's turkey choke and Hal's TSS hand loads in my 20g

Every gun is different. Find someone you know that you can sucker into buying one too and yall each buy a couple combos. Google to find what other folks are using with that gun and barrel length.

I know it sounds like overkill but with a lot of the chokes on the market you will be stupid tight at 20 yards and will miss, you absolutely need to take the time/money to pattern it yourself even if you aren’t shooting flatbill ranges.

Assuming that one will come with an extended turkey choke in the box try it.
My M3500 did great with Federal TSS and the factory choke.

Im shooting a Trulock .585 thru my Franchi 20 gauge and I like that setup.

I don’t want a pattern super tight. I’m too concerned I’ll pull the shot out of pure adrenaline.

Blue collar outdoors on YT has many pattern videos, check em out.

ETA: if you’re just getting into turkey hunting, or only going with a friend a time or two, buy some TSS and use the factory full choke that comes with the gun. Pattern it so you know its limits, but save your money on a choke and spend it on tss. If you get hooked, then you can waste money that you don’t really need to on a choke bigger shot sizes should pattern tighter than smaller, but if I would start with a 7.5/9 or 8/9 blend if it was me.

Sometimes you can find some results on Facebook or other forums to get an idea, although you’ll want to pattern it yourself too.

I am a fan of tight chokes but I don’t want it too tight at 20 yards. Sometimes you’ve got to play with different loads and that can be expensive with TSS.

That being said, I have an Indian creek 555 in an 870 that is great. I was planning to get an Indian creek for the “kids” mossberg 500, but the patterns with the .584 factory choke looks great.

One thing to keep in mind is that going very tight might require sights or a red dot, as point of impact can be off. They can also help keep you from making a mistake.

I know 9 shot TSS is plenty adequate, but I tend to prefer a duplex, with 7.5/9. Either way, I’ve got an assortment from trying to find the “perfect” pattern, and they’re all going to kill turkeys.

Have a m3020 as well. I’ve got a jebs .575

Throws #8-10 TSS great

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28 gauge for the record ETA: it’s for my 8 year old. I only call them now. Be shoots them

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My boys (6 and 8) have a single shot .410, but I’ve been thinking of getting them the 28 gauge. What gun does your 8 year old shoot?

20ga Rem 870 shooting a Sumtoy choke and Apex TSS #8s, it's an impressive combo!

Apex TSS

Thanks for all the advice. Anyone know of any guided turkey hunts in Louisiana?

There are no guides that I know of.

Louisiana has a rather limited population of birds--although at one time our state had birds running all over. Lot has changed--farming practices, timber practices, burning practices, increased pressure, etc (i wont go into all of that here).

The best thing you can do--is 1) have land with turkeys on it that you can learn how to hunt (fun fact--you never stop learning) or 2) ask a friend to tag along with them to watch/learn.

If none of those options work, you can always hit the government woods--but like i said LA has a limited population and ever growing "population of new turkey hunters."

If you've never shot a bird--go on a guided hunt in South Texas/Kansas/Oklahoma. Get the itch out and see if you like it. Some people hate turkey hunting, some enjoy going once per year, and some are absolutely eat up with it (i fall into this category)--you need to figure out which one you will be.