Preparing for turkey season means you need to get the right setup for turkey hunting. Now turkeys are a challenging prey and the key to bringing one home is to check that your equipment list includes a good turkey choke for your Remington 870.
A turkey choke works by shaping the pellet spread into the most effective shot pattern to kill a turkey. In today’s review article, we will be exploring what exactly turkey chokes are and we will be reviewing some of the best Remington 870 turkey chokes on the market.
What is a Turkey Choke?
So what exactly is a turkey choke? For those who’ve not seen it before, a turkey choke is a cylindrical tube screwed into the muzzle of a shotgun. They’re generally interchangeable, allowing shooters to swap one for another. However, there are some guns that come with fixed chokes and cannot be removed.
The turkey choke has been designed such that they make the most effective shot for landing a turkey kill shot. It constructs the shot pellets as they leave the shotgun muzzle, also resulting in somewhat reduced shotgun recoil. With the right combination of ammo and choke, the pellet spread can be effective at various shooting ranges that a turkey hunter needs, leading to better accuracy and shot lethality.
By constricting the shot pellets, it makes the spread much denser and ensures a properly aimed shot to evenly hit the turkey’s head and neck for a quick and clean kill.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Rem 870 Turkey Chokes
The main goal to aim for when getting a new turkey choke for Remington 870 is to achieve better consistency, uniformity, and shot pattern density.
Range
You need to keep in mind the range at which you plan to shoot the turkey when shopping for a new turkey choke for Remington 870 as you’ll need to plan for the spread to be shaped accordingly at that range. While the specifics may vary across different types of chokes, you generally want to have a minimum of 12 pellets in the head/brain and spinal column of a turkey target. More is also better in this case.
To get the best fit for your requirements, you may need to do some experimentation and try out different combinations with your gun, turkey chokes, and ammo.
Ammunition
Other than the range, your choice of ammunition for turkey shooting will also impact the performance of your choke. We recommend going for a selection of 2.75-, 3-, and 3.5-inch shotgun shells in #5 and #6 lead shot for optimal results. The velocities for these loads range from 1,100 to 1,400 fps with shot charges from 1.5 to 2 ounces.
Some excellent ammo options for turkey hunting include non-toxic turkey loads like Hevi-Shot, Federal’s Heavyweight, and the Xtended Range from Winchester, which unfortunately has been discontinued.
These rounds use heavier shot than normal lead pellets, but they’re much pricier. You can also opt for specialized turkey shells like Winchester’s Long Beard XR and Federal’s 3rd Degree, which may also be a little on the expensive side but could be the right shells for you to bring a turkey back for dinner.
The Best Turkey Choke For Remington 870 in 2022
The following list is some of the best Remington 870 turkey chokes that we have shortlisted for you. As you go through each of them, do take note of all the unique characteristics and features so that you can find one that calls out to you most. Now, let’s dive straight into some of the best turkey choke choices for the Remington 870 shotgun.
1. Carlsons Long Beard Turkey Choke Tube – The Best Choke For Remington 870 Overall
The long beard turkey choke tube is best for those who want to stay a bit further away from the turkeys. A big reward for this is that you have a better chance at landing a kill shot. Not only will being able to hit your targets more effectively when you’re farther out impressive, but it’ll give you the option to try this choke tube out from various distances. No matter how far your target is, this choke tube has proven to be effective.
This choke tube also provides the best patterns when paired with Winchester’s Long Beard Turkey loads. By using Shot-Lok technology, they’re able to create the tightest patterns and longer downrange reach over any lead turkey load on the market.
Other than that, the turkey choke is also manufactured from 17-4 stainless steel with a blued, non-reflective finish. It’s also ported for reduced recoil and muzzle jump. Measuring at 4 x 0.8 x 0.8 inches and weighs 3.2 ounces, this turkey choke fits Remington 870 shotguns with a .660 constriction.
This turkey choke tube will be a great choice for those seeking a more affordable option that still delivers superior shooting and excellent durability in one package, making this quite a deal. If tighter shooting groups are what you want, then you should give the Carlson’s choke tube a closer look.
Many new buyers have reported being very satisfied with this choke tube as they used it with their Remington 870 12 gauge shotguns and managed to knock down turkeys anywhere between 30 to 50 yards out. One user even noticed that his shooting groups got closer together the farther he shoots.
The bottom line is that the Carlson’s Choke Tube will easily be a favorite among budget shooters, especially if you want something that performs better without burning a hole in your pocket. Rest assured, just because it’s reasonably priced doesn’t mean it’s cheap in quality.
You would like this if:
- You want a shotgun turkey choke that’s easy to install and fits really well with most 12-gauge shotguns.
- You want a choke that features a solid construction made from durable materials.
- You want a choke that reduces pellet deformation and can hold tight patterns for at least 40 yards.
You might not like this if:
- You own a 20-gauge shotgun as you might need to check the fitment on your shotgun first.
- You don’t want to have to tighten choke tubes up with a tool.
2. Primos TightWad Turkey Choke – The Runner-Up
If tighter shooting groups is what you’re after, then there’s almost a guarantee that you will achieve exactly that with this shotgun choke tube. Not only can this go a pretty good distance, but it can deliver consistently tight shots to make a kill shot easier. Aside from that, we are also genuinely surprised to find something that’s excellent in quality and gives you a lot more value for something that is affordable for most budgets.
The TightWad Turkey Choke from Primos is a compact and durable addition for your Remington 870 shotgun. Featuring a chrome alloy steel construction, this turkey choke is durable enough to resist shocks and maintain consistent pressure of exploding gases. You’ll also find some rounded ports on most of its end part to compensate recoil to some extent.
With its ability to produce tight shooting groups for precise shots around 45 yards plus, this turkey choke will make your hunting sessions even easier as you can now shoot turkeys from longer distances. You ought to know that turkeys are attentive birds, so having a choke will greatly improve your chances of success from a long distance away.
On top of that, this product even features a knurled finish on its end for easy removal with your bare hands. This means you won’t need to use any wrench or tools to install or uninstall it. It also has variants available for a 20-gauge and other shotgun brands.
Most budget shoppers looking for something durable and easy to install were very happy with this product. The choke tube fit their needs and did not disappoint them when they tested it out. They managed to shoot turkeys ranging from 25 to 46 yards with tighter shooting groups with this turkey choke.
The bottom line is that the Primos TightWad Choke Tube lives up to its name to give you tighter shooting groups at any given range. For the price it’s going for, you’ll be quite happy that this affordable turkey choke tube will give you a lot more value than what you paid for.
You would like this if:
- You want the best turkey choke that’s easy to install and remove with a knurled end for easy installation without tools.
- You want well-built turkey chokes that can fit Remington 870 shotguns perfectly and are really durable.
- You want tight shooting groups across various distances and up to 45+ yards shooting range.
You might not like this if:
- You want turkey chokes with a better finish and won’t wear out easily with time.
3. Primos 69405 Jelly Head Mag Lure – The Best for the Money
This Remington 870 choke tube has the ability to tighten shot groups as the distance increases, which is a good thing for those who want to knock down targets from farther away. So, if you want to hit a turkey from 50 yards out, then you might want to consider getting this choke tube for your own hunting applications with the Remington 870.
The Primos 69405 Jelly Head Mag is a 12-gauge choke tube that utilizes extended taper and fluted ports to help you tighten patterns to up to 20 percent and will even help you reduce recoil on your Remington 870. Additionally, the black-T coating helps prevent rust and corrosion, even when used in the harshest environments.
The Primos turkey chokes will increase the range and pattern density of your shotgun while ensuring a great pattern to take out your target. It measures 8 x 4 x 1 inches and weighs 3.52 ounces. While this choke tube does live up to its promise of tighter patterns and reduced recoil, it, unfortunately, does not have the flexibility of other turkey chokes for accepting loads with different shot sizes.
This turkey choke will be an excellent choice for hunters who want long-range hunting of anywhere between 40 to 60 yards out. If you want to convert your Remington 870 shotgun into the perfect hunting equipment for turkeys, then this accessory might just be what you’re looking for.
Overall, the Primos Hunting Jelly Head Maximum Range Turkey Choke Tube will give all other turkey chokes a good run for their money. If you love turkey shooting from a good range, then you will have a much better chance at being effectively accurate with this choke tube.
You would like this if:
- You want turkey choke tubes that are super easy to install with no wiggle room to report.
- You want the best turkey chokes that have a durable construction that’s tough and weatherproof.
- You want turkey chokes that deliver great pattern, reduced recoil, and increased accuracy up to 50 yards.
You might not like this if:
- You don’t want choke tubes that may rust easily if not taken care of.
- You want turkey chokes that can handle a range of shot sizes.
4. Indian Creek Black Diamond Strike Choke Tube
This choke tube is made from high-quality stainless steel and is perhaps one of the most durable on the market. This choke will still be producing consistent results when it comes to accuracy even after nearly 100 rounds. The tough construction ensures that it won’t scuff up, get damaged, or loosen up, no matter how often you use the Remington 870 shotgun. If durability matters a lot to you, then this turkey choke might be perfect for you.
The Black Diamond Strike choke tubes from Indian Creek are precision-engineered and designed to accommodate all lead and hybrid heavy loads with shot sizes from #4 to #8. The choke tubes not only deliver consistently great patterns at 40 and 50 yards, but it’s proven to increase pattern density by 40% or better.
This will be a great option for turkey hunters who want long-term solutions. Since this choke tube is built like a tank, it is very likely that it can last you years, or even decades without needing to be replaced.
The bottom line is that this choke tube is the go-to option for turkey hunters looking for superior durability. The high-quality materials used to manufacture this turkey choke will ensure you benefit from ridiculous longevity. With precision machined construction and the ability to handle multiple shot sizes, this is a fine choke for making your next turkey shoot a big success with the Remington 870.
You would like this if:
- You want turkey chokes that are easy to install with great results on Remington 870 without any additional fitting needed.
- You want Remington 870 chokes that have a really durable construction.
- You want tighter shot groups with increased pattern density that reaches about 40 yards.
You might not like this if:
- None.
Conclusion
Turkey chokes are a great way to turn your Remington 870 shotgun into an effective hunting tool for knocking down turkeys as they constrict the shotgun pellets into the most effective spread at the range you need. Choosing from the options available above will also mean experimenting to find the best one for your gun, ammo, and shooting preferences.
Do keep in mind the goals of consistency, uniformity, and pattern density when shopping for the right turkey choke for your Remington 870. Nevertheless, you can trust that any of the chokes on our list will do a fine job of turning your Remington 870 shotgun into an effective turkey slayer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does A Good Turkey Choke For Remington 870 Makes Any Difference?
Of course, the best turkey choke for Remington 870 is game changer and crucial hunting equipment for turkey hunter out there. The turkey choke for Remington could greatly reduce recoil that would increase performance and ensure control over your shotgun. Besides that, turkey hunter can enjoy higher accuracy and consistency as the turkey choke would assists in constricting shots, reduce the spread of pellets. Furthermore, the installation process is effortless, quick and easy – you just have to position it at the end of your shotgun muzzle.
Hello there, it’s Michael here. A gun lover since young, served the country for the last 20 years. I started the blog to share my experience and gun-related knowledge accumulated throughout the years. Hopefully, you will find something useful over here or just have fun! You can learn more about me here.