Building a turkey gun

How to Choose the Right Turkey Ammo and Choke Combination

When it comes to turkey hunting, selecting the right ammo and choke combination can be overwhelming. With an array of options when it comes to building the perfect turkey gun—shot size, gauge, velocity, and choke constriction—where do you start? The good news is, it doesn’t need to be overly complicated.

A skilled turkey hunter isn't typically taking 60-yard shots. If you're good at what you do and hunting the right way, most of your shots will be within 30 yards. Despite what ammo marketers might tell you, a turkey at 20 yards will drop just as effectively from a 2 ¾” #6 shot as it will from #9 tungsten. However, as an ethical hunter, your responsibility isn't just to prepare for the easy shots. You need to be ready for those less-than-ideal situations. But that doesn’t mean preparing for 70-yard shots with extreme turkey chokes and 3 ½” shells. Instead, focus on being effective and ethical within 40 yards.

The Dangers of Extremes

On one extreme, a gun with an extra-full choke that patterns tightly at 60 yards might shoot a softball-sized pattern at 25 yards. If the turkey’s head moves even slightly, you could miss entirely. Unfortunately, we see this happen all too often. Many hunters miss turkeys standing still inside of 30 yards, even when the bird is right next to a decoy. If you’ve never missed a turkey, you probably haven’t been hunting long enough! We’re not overly superstitious, but we’ve definitely noticed a correlation between a newly arrived hunter at our Texas or Michigan camps saying “I’ve never missed,” and a clean miss at a turkey the following morning.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a gun with a very open choke might perform well inside of 20 yards. Imagine that perfect sunshine-filled day when the gobbler of your dreams strolls through the hardwoods, searching for that lonely hen it's been hearing. At 20 yards, your more open choke might be perfect. But if that gobbler hangs up at 30 yards, your pattern density could be too low for a clean, ethical shot.

Finding the Right Balance

This is why we recommend avoiding extreme turkey chokes and opting for a more moderate compromise. A basketball-sized pattern at 40 yards is more than sufficient. High-density, high-quality TSS loads are ideal, and we particularly recommend Apex ammunition in shot sizes between 8 and 9. This setup ensures you maintain pattern density at slightly longer distances while still being effective at close range. Once you've found and tested the right combination, stick with it. the bird that hung up 60 yards off the treeline is not a target for you to lob a wall of bbs at and hope for a stroke of luck. Not only is it completely unethical... did you really win if you killed him at 70?

Gauge Considerations

Shotgun gauge is less critical than you might think. Advances in shotshell technology over the past decade mean that a .410 gauge can be just as deadly as a 12 gauge. We offer several sub-gauge rental guns for our hunters and have full faith in them. However, the most ethical choice is still to shoot the largest shell you can comfortably and safely handle.

Red Dot Sights: A Game Changer

One of our biggest recommendations is to add a red dot sight to your turkey gun. It can be a massive aid, especially in high-pressure situations where things happen quickly. A red dot can help ensure accuracy, even if you're not in the most comfortable shooting position. It mitigates the risk of making slight mistakes with a simple bead sight.

Practice Makes Perfect

Finally, and most importantly, practice and pattern your gun. Just because your turkey gun worked well last spring doesn't mean it will this season. It may have been knocked around during the off-season, or those new shells might pattern differently. Take the time to ensure you're properly prepared for turkey season—for the sake of the turkey, for your own sake, and for your guide’s sake if you're joining us at our Texas or Michigan turkey camps.

By following these guidelines, you'll be better equipped to make ethical and effective shots, ensuring a successful and responsible turkey hunting experience.