Turkey hunting is one of the favorite pastimes of many hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. It can also be one of the most challenging types of hunting. Despite their sometimes goofy behavior, turkeys can be finicky, elusive, and exceedingly tough to call into range.
The satisfaction that comes from successfully bagging a big tom turkey along with the adrenaline rush of the hunt itself keeps hunters coming back time and time again. A big part of success in turkey hunting has the right gear to get the job done. Having the right choke in your shotgun is a big part of that.
Keep reading to learn more and to see the best Mossberg 500 turkey chokes available today!
Comparison Chart of the Best Mossberg 500 Turkey Chokes
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What to Watch For When Buying a Turkey Choke
The Mossberg 500 is one of the most popular pump action shotguns amongst turkey hunting. Its reliability and versatility make it a great option for many turkey huntings. However, adding the right turkey choke can go a long way towards making it even more useful when that turkey hangs upright on the edge of your safe shooting range.
Put simply, a turkey choke tightens the pattern of the pellets in a shotgun shell to make it effective for various purposes. When it comes to turkey hunting, having at least 20 pellets in the head and neck area of the bird is key. Use the following tips as a good starting point to expand your turkey choke knowledge.
This Section Written By: Brian Belko
Expert Author
Brian is an experienced freelance writer and technical writer who has previously written for publications such as Wide Open Spaces, Bigfoot Gun Belts, Alien Gear Holsters, and Kampgrounds of America. He brings both a passion for writing and a love of the outdoors to his published content.
Aside from writing and the outdoors, Brian enjoys gardening, being a co-host on The Nostalgia Blast Podcast, and learning to code.
Pondering Needs
One of the keys to selecting the best Mossberg 500 turkey choke is to select one that makes the most sense for your typical hunting location and shot range. While it is impossible to plan for or consider every eventuality while hunting, it is possible to find a nice average for your specific hunting style and base your turkey choke decision on that. Take some time to think about the typical ranges you shoot at or are comfortable shooting at. Then you can look for a choke that maximizes the pattern at that range. Do that and you’ll be dropping turkeys in their tracks.
Don’t Forget Fit
This pretty much goes without saying, but turkey chokes are not universal. Make sure that the one you are considering lists the Mossberg 500 as a compatible model. Considering the popularity of the Mossberg 500 and turkey hunting itself, there will be plenty of options to choose from. Just don’t get caught up in the excitement of finding an ideal choke for your needs and price range and then forget to check the compatibility. The best place to confirm this should be on the choke manufacturer’s website. Most will have a tool for checking the compatibility of their chokes with various shotgun models.
Zeroing In
There is more to a turkey choke than just finding one that fits a Mossberg 500 and that is ideal for your intended use. Adding shotgun shells into the mix adds another variable. A choke is not going to throw the same pattern with every shell your Mossberg 500 will eat (which is a lot to put it lightly!). This is why it is important to spend some time at the range with your preferred turkey load after installing a new choke and anytime you change loads or shells after that. It is good practice to hit the range before hunting season starts to knock off the rust anyways.
Review of the Best Mossberg 500 Turkey Chokes
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s see what makes these five turkey chokes the best on the market. We’ve taken a deep dive into their features, engineering, and performance. Here’s what we found.
Best for 12-Gauge
Primos Jelly Head Maximum Turkey Choke
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The Primos Jelly Head Maximum Turkey Choke was engineered with a 12-gauge shot in mind. As such, there’s no 20-gauge version available. But if you shoot a 12-gauge Mossberg, you’re in for a real treat. With #4 shot, you’ll have a reasonable spread out to 50 yards. If you’re looking for a close-range experience, you’ll still get a decent spread at 20 yards if you’re using a #6 shot.
This choke tube protrudes a good two inches from the barrel, so you don’t need a wrench to install it. Just twist it in or out by hand, and you’re good to go. It features long port holes that allow plenty of outgassing. This provides noticeable recoil reduction, saving your shoulder.
Like many chokes, the Jelly Head isn’t compatible with steel shot. With that exception, everything about this choke tube is awesome, right down to the corrosion-resistant coating. It’s also easy on your wallet.
Bottom Line
If you want to fill your game bag as quickly as possible, the Primos Jelly Head will give you the best spread for your 12-gauge.
Pros
Large Port Holes
Reasonable Price
Tool-Free Installation
Corrosion-Resistant Coating
Designed Specifically for 12-Gauge Shot Shells
Cons
Only Available for 12-Gauge
Not Useable With Steel Shot
Best for the Money
Carlson’s Choke Tubes, 20 Gauge
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The Carlson’s 20-gauge choke tube was engineered specifically for Winchester #6 Long Beard turkey shot. With this load, it will shoot a turkey-annihilating pattern from 30 to about 50 yards. You can go longer with heavier shot, but we’re a bit sketchy on the benefits of using heavier shot in a 20-gauge. Since the shell is smaller than a 12-gauge, you have significantly fewer pellets to work with. It’s best to just stick with the #6 shot and get a reliable pattern.
While the Carlson’s isn’t compatible with steel shot, you’re perfectly fine to use it with a Hevi-Shot load for additional killing power. As always, check your state laws on acceptable turkey shot before you load up.
Be prepared to feel the full force of recoil with this choke tube; there are no port holes for outgassing. It requires a wrench for installation, but you’ll need one anyway to remove your Mossberg’s stock choke. It’s low-priced and is still one of the best 20-gauge coke tubes around.
Bottom Line
For anyone who’s using a 20-gauge Mossberg, Carlson’s makes some of the best choke tubes in the business.
Pros
Low Price
Designed for #6 Shot
Ideal for Mid-Range Shots
Compatible with Hevi-Shot Loads
Cons
No Port Holes
Not Compatible with Steel Shot
Wrench Required for Installation
3. Tru Glo Bone Collector SmackDown Choke Tube
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The Tru Glo Bone Collector SmackDown Choke Tube is a choke that protrudes two inches from the end of your barrel. It has a glossy, corrosion-resistant finish, and four port holes for outgassing and noise reduction. It’s available in 12 and 20-gauge sizes, so you can use it on any Mossberg 500 shotgun. This choke is easy to attach and remove. It screws in easily without the need of any tools, so you can switch it out without a lot of trouble. You shouldn’t need to, though. Depending on your range, it’s equally good for .00 buckshot as it is for four to seven-grain birdshot.
Your ideal range is going to be around 40 yards, although that can vary considerably depending on what kind of load you’re shooting. With a four-grain, three-inch shotshell, you’re looking at about a 12-inch spread at that range and can shoot effectively out to about 70 yards. A six-grain load is going to spread faster, but you’ll also have more pellets. Beyond about 70 yards, you’ll have too much spread for it to be reliable, but who shoots a turkey at that range anyway? The Bone Collector SmackDown is designed for use with lead shot only. Steel shot will quickly degrade the inside of the bore, greatly reducing its effectiveness. This may be a problem if your state requires environmentally friendly shot, so make sure to check your local laws before you make your purchase.
Bottom Line
The Tru Glo Bone Collector delivers an ideal turkey shooting pattern at 40 yards with a four to six-grain load.
Pros
Very Tight Pattern
Easy Installation and Removal
Corrosion-Resistant Glossy Finish
Available in Both 12 and 20-Gauge Diameters
Cons
Can’t Be Used With Steel Shot
4. Trulock Chokes – 12 Gauge Turkey Chokes
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The Trulock Chokes 12 Gauge Turkey Choke is a choke that’s specifically designed to handle Winchester #5 turkey shot. It’s nice that they get this precise, but we found it’s effective with any reasonable turkey shot size – anywhere from four to six grains. As with many chokes, it’s not designed for steel shot. If your state requires lead-free shot, you’ll need to go a different direction.
There are no tools required for installation. This is thanks to the ¾-inch textured extension which protrudes from the barrel of your shotgun, making it easy to screw in and out by hand. If you’re super concerned about it staying in, it does have a wrench slot, but it’s really not necessary. Because the protrusion is small, there are no port holes. This maximizes muzzle velocity, but be prepared to experience more recoil than you would with an open bore.
The pattern on these chokes is out of this world. With Winchester #5 turkey shot, you’ll get a nice, nine-inch spread at 45 yards. It remains a viable choke for shots up to 60 yards if you’re using #4 shot, and is good to about 40 yards if you’re using #6 shot. As always, this can vary significantly depending on the exact load you’re shooting. This choke is only available in a 12-gauge size. If you have a 20-gauge Mossberg, you’ll need a different choke.
Bottom Line
The Trulock may be designed for five-grain loads, but anything from four to six will leave a nice, tight pattern at 50 yards.
Pros
Tool-Free Installation
Consistent, Reliable Pattern
Fits Mostly Inside the Barrel
Designed Specifically for Turkey Hunting
Cons
No Port Holes
Not Useable With Steel Shot
Only Available in 12-Gauge Size
5. Carlson’s – Long Beard Turkey Choke Tubes
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Like a lot of choke tubes, the Carlson’s Long Beard is designed to work best with a specific type of shot. In this case, Winchester Long Beard turkey shot. This is a #4 shot, so it’s no surprise that the Long Beard is made for longer-range hunting.If you’re shooting at 60 yards or more, this is a fantastic choke. Be careful at very close ranges. Inside of 20 yards, the spread is so tight that it will punch a slug-sized hole through a target. Needless to say, this makes snap shooting a challenge.
The Long Beard fits entirely inside your barrel, so you’ll need a wrench to install it. It’s also not compatible with steel shot. Once again, you’ll need to check with your state’s laws to make sure it’s okay to hunt with lead shot in your location. It’s also only available in a 12-gauge size. The port holes are relatively small, but they do their part in reducing recoil.Although this choke is designed for heavy shot, there’s no reason you can’t use #5 or #6 shot with it. Just keep in mind that the spread will be wider, so you’re looking at a maximum range of around 40 yards with a lighter shot.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to get a decent price on a top-notch turkey choke, the Carlson’s Long Beard is a solid choice.
Pros
Great Value
Accurate to 60 Yards and Beyond
Designed Specifically for Turkey Shot
Can Be Used at Shorter Ranges With #5 or #6 Shot
Cons
Only Available in 12-Gauge
Not Compatible With Steel Shot
Requires a Wrench for Installation
What is a Turkey Choke and What is it Used For?
Shooting turkey is a little different than shooting waterfowl or for home defense. In those cases, you’re looking for a wide spread of damage. It’s less important to do lots of damage to a small area than it is to cut a wider swath of destruction.
For example, when you’re shooting at a duck, the primary concern is to bring it down from the sky. If it doesn’t die immediately, you can quickly dispatch it once you’ve located it on the ground. Turkey, on the other hand, will run away if they’re wounded, which means there will be a suffering animal out in the woods and not in your game bag.
A turkey choke is a device that connects to the end of your shotgun barrel, and restricts the spread of your pellets to a smaller area. This ensures a higher density of pellets, so you can inflict maximum damage to a turkey’s head and neck, dropping them instantly.
What Makes a Great Turkey Choke?
Before we actually review anything, let’s take a quick look at what makes a great turkey choke. Here are a couple of key things to consider.
The Best Turkey Choke Depends on Your Load
In general, the more shot you have, the more forgiving your choke can be. If you’re running a high-powered load with a lower quantity of shot, you’ll need a tighter choke to get the same number of pellets in the right place. As a rule of thumb, you’re looking for at least 18 pellets in the head and neck area on your target. If your choke isn’t getting you that, try a heavier shell.
Performance Depends on Your Range
A choke that puts 18 pellets in the zone at 40 yards will most likely be too wide at 50 yards. Conversely, a good 75-yard choke will probably be too tight at 50 yards. Try to practice at the same range you’ll actually be hunting from. This will give you the best idea of how well your choke will perform in the field.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the “best” turkey choke is the one that works well with your load at your preferred range. The only real way to be sure is to take one out target shooting. If you don’t like what you see, try changing your load before spending more money on another choke. Oftentimes, it’s the more affordable solution to your problem.
