Fixed full vs coyote choke

Darren R

New member
I've got a NEF single shot that I'm putting a 28" 12 gauge barrel on and I'm wondering if I should get the barrel threaded and get a designated coyote tube or just use the fixed full. I also have a friend that is wondering how lead #5 or #2 turkey loads would work out of a turkey choke at 30 yards max.
 
You can't really say for sure unless you pattern the gun first. I would give it a good range session or two as is before spending money on it. If you aren't happy with the result then you have nothing to lose by having the barrel threaded for choke tubes.

Turkey loads can work at modest range but they aren't optimal. There are so many much better loads available I can't see any advantage to using them.
 
I don't have any experience with turkey chokes, what's the largest shot size that can safely be shot through a turkey choke? We're both going to try Hornady Heavy Magnum in both BB and 00 buck.
 
I'm sure someone out there does it, but I wouldn't use a turkey choke for large shot. Trying to force buckshot through that tight a choke MAY damage the choke or barrel when it tries to compress or, at the very least, I think you'll get a terrible or inconsistent pattern. I' d start out patterning with a mod choke and then try a full choke to compare patterns.
 
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There is NO problem shooting big shot in a choke tube that is very tight. IF the choke tube is rated for it, that all say on them the max size the type of shot and most have a speed rating too. The Hornadys stuff is VERY good but the 00 buck really limits the number of pellets. I reload and Prefer "F" lead. If you go to a heave shot there GREAT as well but pricy, On coyotes/turkeys you only shoot a few shots a day not like ducks, so price is not as bad as it sounds.
The old myth of running your gun with a tight choke is bunk, I use an extra full with BBB steel to, and slugs. IF you get the right choke for what your trying to shoot. ALL that said, even with the "Right" choke your gun may suck for pattern . You HAVE to try it to see, sorry, they ALL shoot a bit different .
 
Originally Posted By: jetman There is NO problem shooting big shot in a choke tube that is very tight. IF the choke tube is rated for it, that all say on them the max size the type of shot and most have a speed rating too. The Hornadys stuff is VERY good but the 00 buck really limits the number of pellets. I reload and Prefer "F" lead. If you go to a heave shot there GREAT as well but pricy, On coyotes/turkeys you only shoot a few shots a day not like ducks, so price is not as bad as it sounds.
The old myth of running your gun with a tight choke is bunk, I use an extra full with BBB steel to, and slugs. IF you get the right choke for what your trying to shoot. ALL that said, even with the "Right" choke your gun may suck for pattern . You HAVE to try it to see, sorry, they ALL shoot a bit different .

Out of a standard choke designed for lead it works good right up to the point when you notice the last inch or so of your barrel missing. I've seen it happen on a Remington 870. The guy had a full choke and was shooting #4 buck at geese back when it was still legal. It wasn't the guns first season doing this.

Modern barrels and chokes designed for steel are made to a different standard. I use a Dead Coyote choke with #4 buck all the time and shoot BBB's at geese with it.
 
That's why I said to use a choke that is RATED for the shot type your using. In my 870 I too use the dead coyote choke tube.
I have an old Marlin bolt 12 gauge goose gun. When we had to shift to steel the barrel bulged but still shoots fine just less choke...
 
Originally Posted By: jetman There is NO problem shooting big shot in a choke tube that is very tight. IF the choke tube is rated for it, that all say on them the max size the type of shot and most have a speed rating too. The Hornadys stuff is VERY good but the 00 buck really limits the number of pellets. I reload and Prefer "F" lead. If you go to a heave shot there GREAT as well but pricy, On coyotes/turkeys you only shoot a few shots a day not like ducks, so price is not as bad as it sounds.
The old myth of running your gun with a tight choke is bunk, I use an extra full with BBB steel to, and slugs. IF you get the right choke for what your trying to shoot. ALL that said, even with the "Right" choke your gun may suck for pattern . You HAVE to try it to see, sorry, they ALL shoot a bit different .
I've shot slugs through the full choke on my Model 12 with no issues. I just wasn't sure on the turkey choke.
 
Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: jetmanLEAD ?
Going to have to be close.
The run out of energy around 35/40 yards for coyotes

must be a shortage of big letters today?

 
Originally Posted By: Darren RI don't have any experience with turkey chokes, what's the largest shot size that can safely be shot through a turkey choke? We're both going to try Hornady Heavy Magnum in both BB and 00 buck.

The Hornady uses a flight control wad.......Um I mean "Versatite" wad. Anyways the shells will pattern best with less to no constriction. Quite the opposite of any turkey choke. What happens is that the constriction will distort the wad and not release the pellets properly. I have personally seen a fox take three direct hits with the Hornady/coyote choke combination.......the wads were stuck into the foxes fur, but not many pellets had made contact once we skinned it out. However; when using a modified choke on the same size fox at the same distances. The foxes have all dropped instantly and had close to 20 pellet hits while the wad is always found about halfway between the fox and the shooter.

I've also dropped bobcats and coyotes on a regular basis using the Hornady/Modified combination. Honestly; 30 yards or less seems to be the hot ticket for a one shot kill. I have gone out farther, but a follow up shot is usually required.
 
Originally Posted By: Darren RWhat do you guys think about lead #2s? I was just given a box of them I've done it but it's far from ideal. 3" lead #2's. Took 3 shots at 40-ish yards running away. First shot broke the back legs and tumbled over but got up. Next two shots finished it off as it stumbled down hill.

Would have been more effective on a head on shot or a clear broadside shot to get pellets in the head. Coyote fur stopped a lot of the pellets that far away.

Killed another coyote at 7 yards with #2's, worked well.

I've smoked both foxes and coyotes just past 50 yards (lasered) with the same load. It's my favorite load for foxes.
 
Originally Posted By: Arizona BushmanOriginally Posted By: Darren RI don't have any experience with turkey chokes, what's the largest shot size that can safely be shot through a turkey choke? We're both going to try Hornady Heavy Magnum in both BB and 00 buck.

The Hornady uses a flight control wad.......Um I mean "Versatite" wad. Anyways the shells will pattern best with less to no constriction. Quite the opposite of any turkey choke. What happens is that the constriction will distort the wad and not release the pellets properly. I have personally seen a fox take three direct hits with the Hornady/coyote choke combination.......the wads were stuck into the foxes fur, but not many pellets had made contact once we skinned it out. However; when using a modified choke on the same size fox at the same distances. The foxes have all dropped instantly and had close to 20 pellet hits while the wad is always found about halfway between the fox and the shooter.

I've also dropped bobcats and coyotes on a regular basis using the Hornady/Modified combination. Honestly; 30 yards or less seems to be the hot ticket for a one shot kill. I have gone out farther, but a follow up shot is usually required.



Careful, balanced and precise. All hallmarks of good observations. This is good information that you can take to the bank. At least as much as you can with a shotgun. You should read the post that Bushman had on the forum here about his testing with the Hornady loads.
 
Originally Posted By: SnowmanMoOriginally Posted By: Arizona BushmanOriginally Posted By: Darren RI don't have any experience with turkey chokes, what's the largest shot size that can safely be shot through a turkey choke? We're both going to try Hornady Heavy Magnum in both BB and 00 buck.

The Hornady uses a flight control wad.......Um I mean "Versatite" wad. Anyways the shells will pattern best with less to no constriction. Quite the opposite of any turkey choke. What happens is that the constriction will distort the wad and not release the pellets properly. I have personally seen a fox take three direct hits with the Hornady/coyote choke combination.......the wads were stuck into the foxes fur, but not many pellets had made contact once we skinned it out. However; when using a modified choke on the same size fox at the same distances. The foxes have all dropped instantly and had close to 20 pellet hits while the wad is always found about halfway between the fox and the shooter.

I've also dropped bobcats and coyotes on a regular basis using the Hornady/Modified combination. Honestly; 30 yards or less seems to be the hot ticket for a one shot kill. I have gone out farther, but a follow up shot is usually required.



Careful, balanced and precise. All hallmarks of good observations. This is good information that you can take to the bank. At least as much as you can with a shotgun. You should read the post that Bushman had on the forum here about his testing with the Hornady loads.
I'll look into those
 


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