Understanding the Core: The Role of a Turkey Choke
The thrill of the turkey hunt. It’s a blend of patient observation, stealthy maneuvering, and that heart-stopping moment when a magnificent tom struts into your sights. To maximize your chances of success, you need a shotgun that performs, and for many hunters, the Benelli Nova is the workhorse of choice. Known for its reliability, rugged construction, and ease of use, the Nova is a favorite for various hunting applications, including the demanding pursuit of wild turkeys. However, even the best shotgun is only as effective as its weakest link. That link, when turkey hunting, is often the choke tube. A proper turkey choke is paramount. It’s the key to turning your Nova into a true turkey-slaying machine. This article will guide you on how to select the best turkey choke for Benelli Nova, ensuring you’re prepared for a successful spring season.
Delving into the Details: Choke Construction and Characteristics
Chokes aren’t all created equal. The material and construction of a choke tube play a significant role in its performance.
One factor to consider is the material. Common materials include steel and stainless steel. Stainless steel, widely favored, is prized for its resistance to corrosion, ensuring a longer lifespan, especially when dealing with the often damp conditions of a turkey hunt. This durability translates to consistent performance shot after shot.
Thread compatibility is critically important. Your Benelli Nova uses a specific thread pattern, so the choke tube you select *must* be compatible with your shotgun. Ensure the choke tube explicitly states its compatibility with the Benelli Nova; otherwise, you risk damaging your barrel or, at the very least, a poorly performing pattern.
The degree of constriction within the choke determines the pattern size and density. This is commonly described as “choke constriction” and is usually indicated with terms like Full, Extra Full, and Super Full, with Full being the least restrictive and Super Full the most restrictive. A turkey choke, by its nature, typically falls into the Extra Full or Super Full range.
A Full choke offers a tighter pattern than a Modified choke but is not ideal for turkey hunting at the distances most hunters engage turkeys. A Full Choke might be used for general purpose upland hunting.
Extra Full chokes, also often marketed as turkey chokes, are the workhorse for turkey hunting. They are designed to deliver a very dense and concentrated pattern at ranges out to around forty yards. Many are a great all-around choice, balancing effective range with reasonable pattern sizes.
Super Full chokes, sometimes called Ultimate Turkey chokes, are the most restrictive. These deliver the tightest patterns and are ideal for maximum range. You might want to consider them if you frequently shoot at longer distances, but you’ll want to carefully pattern your shotgun with different ammunition to see if this type of choke is best.
Another design consideration to weigh is whether the choke is ported or non-ported. Ported chokes feature small vents along the side, typically designed to reduce recoil and muzzle rise. While this might improve your follow-up shots, they can sometimes slightly disrupt the shot pattern. Non-ported chokes, in contrast, offer a cleaner pattern and are often the preferred choice for turkey hunting due to the emphasis on precise shot placement. Ultimately, the choice is a personal one, and the best way to decide is to pattern different chokes to see what works best with your Benelli Nova and your chosen ammunition.
Making the Right Choice: Key Factors for Benelli Nova Hunters
Choosing the best turkey choke for Benelli Nova isn’t about blindly grabbing the most expensive option. It’s about understanding your hunting style, your typical shooting distances, and the ammunition you intend to use.
Your hunting style and shooting range should be your primary considerations. If you primarily hunt in wooded areas and expect shots under thirty yards, an Extra Full choke might be perfectly suitable. However, if you often find yourself in open fields where longer shots are necessary, a Super Full choke may be a better option. Assessing the terrain and the typical range of your shots will help you narrow your choices.
The ammunition you choose is just as critical as the choke itself. Different shell loads, including the shot size, pellet material and velocity, will perform differently. You’ll need to experiment to find the perfect combination of choke and load for your Nova.
Shot size significantly impacts pattern density and penetration. #4, #5, and #6 shot sizes are all common choices for turkey hunting. Smaller shot sizes, like #6, generally offer a denser pattern, increasing the chances of multiple pellet strikes, but can lack the penetration of larger shot. Conversely, larger shot sizes, like #4, deliver greater penetration and knock-down power but may result in a slightly less dense pattern.
The material of the pellets also makes a difference. Lead has long been the standard, but many hunters are now using alternatives such as tungsten. Tungsten offers higher density, resulting in improved penetration and greater downrange energy, often allowing for effective shots at further distances.
The velocity of the load is crucial. High-velocity loads generally give you a flatter trajectory and more downrange energy, but they also require careful patterning. You must choose a load that your Nova’s barrel can handle safely and effectively.
The single most important step in finding the best combination of choke and ammo is patterning your shotgun. More on this in a moment, but patterning ensures that you understand exactly how your chosen combination of choke, shell, and shotgun performs at various distances.
Also, a consideration is the barrel length and condition. While most Benelli Nova shotguns are designed for turkey hunting, longer barrels may help enhance the performance. A barrel in good condition can greatly help the performance of any choke. However, barrel length and bore condition can be less critical than other factors in the grand scheme.
Top Turkey Choke Recommendations for Your Benelli Nova
Here are a few top-rated turkey chokes that are often praised for their performance with the Benelli Nova. Remember, these are recommendations, and you *must* pattern your shotgun with your chosen ammunition to achieve optimal results.
Patternmaster Code Black Turkey Choke
Known for exceptional patterning, the Code Black Turkey choke often delivers tight, even patterns at extended ranges. It’s often considered a premium choke and known for its wad-stripping design, which can improve pattern consistency. It comes in various constrictions and is often a great all-around choice. The Code Black is typically made from high-grade stainless steel. Users generally praise its consistent patterns, making it a solid choice for maximizing the effective range of your Nova.
Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke
This choke is specifically designed for use with Federal Premium Long Beard XR ammunition. If this is your ammo of choice, this choke is a good option. Carlson’s makes quality chokes that are designed to give excellent patterns at ranges up to forty yards. Typically constructed from stainless steel. Users often commend its ability to produce dense patterns with Long Beard XR shells.
Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike Choke
The Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike choke is built to deliver tight, consistent patterns, especially at longer distances. It is made from high-quality steel and is known for its durable construction and excellent performance. Known for its wad-stripping design, designed to give a consistent pattern with all the latest high-performance turkey loads. It is one of the more expensive chokes but delivers impressive results. Many hunters appreciate the tight patterns and effective range they achieve with this choke.
Trulock Precision Hunter Choke
Trulock is a reputable name in choke tubes, and the Precision Hunter is a versatile option for turkey hunting. Available in various constrictions, the Precision Hunter is constructed from stainless steel and is known for its accuracy and durability. Trulock makes a good balance of high-performance and a reasonable price point. This choke is suitable for a wide variety of turkey loads.
The best choke for you will depend on the particular combination of choke, shell, and range.
The Art of Patterning: Achieving Optimal Performance
Patterning your shotgun is the single most important step in finding the best turkey choke for Benelli Nova and achieving consistent success. It’s the process of shooting your shotgun at a target at a measured distance and analyzing the resulting pattern to assess its density and distribution.
Start by choosing a safe shooting location. This should be a range or a cleared area where you can safely fire your shotgun.
Select a large paper target; a dedicated turkey target is best, but a large piece of paper will suffice. Mark the center of the target clearly.
Establish a consistent shooting distance. A good starting point is forty yards.
Next, carefully mount your Benelli Nova as you would in the field.
Load your chosen ammunition into the Nova and aim at the center of the target. Be sure to follow all safe gun handling practices.
Fire a single shot at the target.
Examine the pattern on the target. Ideally, you want a dense pattern with the majority of pellets concentrated within a 10-inch circle, centered around the aiming point. Count the number of pellets within the 10-inch circle, and compare this number to the recommended pellet count for a clean kill with the size of shot you’re using.
Repeat the process several times with the same choke and ammunition. This will give you a more reliable assessment of the pattern.
Then, repeat the whole process with each choke tube and ammunition combination that you’re considering. Document the results, taking notes on the choke used, the ammunition type, the distance, and the number of pellets within the 10-inch circle. Note the position of the point of impact of the shot pattern compared to the aiming point.
Analyze your results. Choose the combination of choke and ammunition that produces the densest and most evenly distributed pattern, placing the most pellets in the vital areas of a turkey, the head and neck.
Caring for Your Investment: Choke Maintenance
Proper care of your turkey choke is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. After each shooting session, clean your choke tube thoroughly. Use a choke tube cleaner, brush, and solvent to remove any residue, plastic wad material, or debris that may have accumulated. Pay attention to the threads, making sure they are clean and free of obstructions. Wipe down the choke tube with a clean cloth, and ensure it is dry before storing it.
Store your choke tubes in a clean, dry place when not in use. Consider using a choke tube case or organizer to protect them from damage.
Regularly inspect your choke tube for wear and tear. Check for any cracks, dents, or damage to the threads. If you notice any damage, replace the choke tube immediately.
Regular inspection and maintenance ensure that your choke tube continues to perform at its best, shot after shot.
In Conclusion
Choosing the best turkey choke for Benelli Nova requires a careful assessment of your hunting style, the distances you typically shoot, and the ammunition you plan to use. By understanding the role of a choke, the different construction methods, and by patterning your shotgun with various choke and ammunition combinations, you can unlock the full potential of your Benelli Nova and significantly increase your chances of a successful turkey hunt. Consider the suggestions in this article, but never forget that the real “best” choice will be the one that consistently delivers the most effective patterns for *you*. Now, get out there, pattern your gun, and enjoy the spring turkey season!
