Elevate Your Turkey Hunt: Mastering Precision with the EAR Head Hunter Invector 12 Gauge Turkey Choke Tube

For the dedicated turkey hunter, the pursuit of a prized gobbler is more than just a hunt; it's a strategic endeavor demanding precision, patience, and the right equipment. If you've ever felt the frustration of inconsistent patterns, limited effective range, or the ethical dilemma of a missed or wounded bird, then it's time to elevate your shotgun's performance. The EAR JPCBN12C1/660 Head Hunter Invector 12 Gauge Turkey Black Nitride .660 choke tube is engineered specifically to address these challenges, transforming your shotgun into a highly effective turkey-taking machine.

This isn't just another accessory; it's a critical component designed to optimize your shotgun's shot pattern, ensuring maximum pellet density and uniform distribution where it matters most – in the vital zones of a wild turkey. Whether you're a seasoned veteran chasing grand slams or a newer hunter looking to improve your success rate and hunting ethics, understanding the nuances of a specialized turkey choke like the Head Hunter is paramount.

Why a Dedicated Turkey Choke is Indispensable for Serious Hunters

Many hunters start with factory-provided chokes, which are often general-purpose and designed for a wide array of hunting situations. While adequate for some applications, they rarely provide the ultra-tight patterns necessary for consistently and ethically dispatching turkeys at varying ranges. Turkeys present a small, specific kill zone – typically the head and neck. To ensure a quick, clean harvest, you need a high concentration of pellets directed precisely at that small target.

A dedicated turkey choke like the EAR Head Hunter is engineered with a tighter constriction than standard full or extra-full chokes. This tighter constriction concentrates the shot charge more effectively, reducing pattern spread and delivering a denser, more lethal pattern at extended distances. This translates directly to increased confidence in the field, knowing your shotgun is capable of delivering the payload with precision when that once-in-a-lifetime gobbler steps into range.

Consider these common questions hunters ask:

• "What's the best choke for long-range turkey hunting?"
• "How do I get tighter patterns with my 12 gauge for turkeys?"
• "Is a specialized turkey choke really worth it?"
• "How can I ensure an ethical kill on a turkey?"

The answer to all these often points directly to a high-performance turkey choke tube. The EAR Head Hunter JPCBN12C1/660 is designed to provide those precise, dense patterns, making those vital head and neck shots more achievable and humane.

Unpacking the Precision: The .660 Constriction Advantage

The .660 constriction of the EAR Head Hunter choke is not a random number; it's a meticulously chosen specification optimized for turkey hunting. In 12 gauge shotguns, a .660 constriction is considered a very tight bore, falling into the "extra-extra full" category for specialized applications.

What does a .660 constriction mean for your hunt?

• Superior Pattern Density: The primary benefit of such a tight constriction is its ability to pack the shot charge into a very compact pattern. This creates a lethal core of pellets, ensuring that multiple pellets strike the turkey's head and neck, even at greater distances.
• Extended Effective Range: While ethical shooting distance always depends on individual skill and environmental factors, a .660 choke can extend your shotgun's effective range. Where a standard full choke might start to lose pattern density at 35-40 yards, a .660 can maintain a dense, kill-zone-capable pattern out to 50 yards or even beyond, depending on the ammunition used. This provides more flexibility and confidence when a wary gobbler hangs up just outside what was previously your maximum range.
• Optimized for Heavy Loads: This constriction excels with modern heavy turkey loads, especially those featuring tungsten super shot (TSS) or blended shot types. These denser pellets retain more energy and maintain their flight path more efficiently through tighter constrictions, resulting in truly devastating patterns. While it can work with lead shot, its true potential shines with premium, high-density loads.
• Reduced Stringing: A well-designed tight choke can also help reduce "shot stringing," where pellets spread out along the line of flight. By keeping the shot column more compact and efficient, more pellets arrive on target simultaneously, delivering a more impactful strike.

This precise engineering ensures that when you pull the trigger, you're sending a focused, powerful payload designed to stop a tom in his tracks, ensuring a humane and successful harvest.

The Resilience of Black Nitride: Durability Meets Performance

Beyond its internal geometry, the Black Nitride finish on the EAR JPCBN12C1/660 Head Hunter choke tube offers significant advantages in the harsh outdoor environment of turkey season. Black Nitride, also known as QPQ (Quench Polish Quench), is a thermochemical process that enhances the surface hardness, corrosion resistance, and lubricity of metal components.

Benefits of Black Nitride for a Choke Tube:

• Exceptional Corrosion Resistance: Turkey season often involves damp woods, morning dew, and sometimes even rain. Nitride treatment creates an incredibly hard and corrosion-resistant surface, protecting your choke tube from rust and degradation due to moisture and exposure to gun cleaning solvents. This means less worry about maintaining your choke in the field and longer lifespan for the product.
• Increased Surface Hardness: The nitriding process significantly increases the surface hardness of the steel. This makes the choke tube highly resistant to wear and tear from repeated shooting, especially with abrasive shot materials like TSS. It also resists scratching and nicks that can occur from handling or being jostled in a blind.
• Enhanced Lubricity: The unique surface created by nitriding reduces friction. This makes for smoother installation and removal of the choke tube, minimizing the risk of galling in your barrel threads and making cleaning easier.
• Aesthetic Appeal: While function is paramount, the sleek, matte black finish also looks great, providing a professional and low-glare appearance that blends well with most shotgun finishes.

This robust finish ensures that your EAR Head Hunter choke tube will stand up to the rigors of hunting season after season, maintaining its performance characteristics and contributing to the longevity of your valuable shotgun.

Seamless Integration: Compatibility with Invector Systems

The EAR JPCBN12C1/660 Head Hunter is designed for 12 Gauge shotguns utilizing the Invector choke system. This widespread compatibility makes it an ideal upgrade for a vast number of popular shotguns.

Common Shotguns and Brands Compatible with Invector Choke Systems:

• Browning: Many Browning shotguns, particularly those with the standard Invector system.
• Winchester: A wide range of Winchester models featuring the Invector choke system.
• Mossberg: Mossberg Accu-Choke systems are often compatible with Invector chokes, though always verify your specific model.
• Savage Arms: Many Savage shotguns are designed to accept Invector chokes.
• Weatherby: Certain Weatherby models also utilize the Invector system.
• SKB: Many SKB shotguns are compatible.
• New England Firearms (NEF)/H&R: Some models may use Invector threads.

Important Note: While "Invector" is a common term, there are variations like "Invector-Plus" or "Ducks Unlimited Invector." Always confirm that your shotgun specifically uses the standard "Invector" system to ensure perfect fit and safe operation. If you are unsure, consult your shotgun's manual or a qualified gunsmith. Correct choke fit is essential for safety and optimal performance.

The Art of Patterning: Unlocking Your Shotgun's Potential

Simply screwing in a new choke tube isn't enough. To truly maximize the performance of your EAR Head Hunter JPCBN12C1/660 choke, you must pattern your shotgun with your chosen turkey loads. Patterning is the process of shooting your shotgun at a large paper target (a patterning board) at various distances to see how your pellets are distributed.

Why Patterning is Crucial:

• Identify Your Effective Range: Patterning reveals the maximum distance at which your shotgun, choke, and ammunition combination delivers a sufficient number of pellets into the turkey's vital zone (head/neck) for a clean, ethical kill. This is often quoted as putting 100+ pellets in a 10-inch circle.
• Optimize Ammunition Choice: Different loads (shot sizes, types, and manufacturers) perform differently through the same choke. Patterning allows you to experiment and find the perfect symbiotic relationship between your choke and ammunition. You might find that one specific load gives you a drastically better pattern than another.
• Understand Point of Impact: Sometimes, the center of your pattern won't align perfectly with your aim point. Patterning helps identify if your shotgun is shooting high, low, left, or right, allowing you to adjust your aiming strategy or even your sights if necessary.
• Build Confidence: Knowing precisely what your shotgun is capable of at different ranges builds immense confidence, which is invaluable in the field when that fleeting shot opportunity arises.

Steps for Effective Patterning:

• Set Up: Use a large sheet of paper (36" x 36" or larger) with a marked aiming point (a small dot or turkey head outline).
• Distance: Start at 20-25 yards to get a baseline, then move to 30, 40, 50, and potentially 60 yards.
• Aim Consistent: Use a rest (sandbags, bipod) to eliminate human error and focus on consistent aiming.
• Shoot Multiple Shots: Fire at least 3-5 shots with each ammunition type/distance combination to get an average representation of the pattern.
• Analyze: Draw a 10-inch circle around the densest part of your pattern (not necessarily your aim point). Count the pellets within that circle. Evaluate uniformity, gaps, and overall density.

Patterning is not just an option; it's a fundamental step for any serious turkey hunter utilizing a specialized choke like the Head Hunter JPCBN12C1/660.

Choosing the Right Ammunition: Unleashing the Choke's Full Potential

The EAR Head Hunter choke tube is designed to perform exceptionally well with modern, high-density turkey loads. While lead shot can be used, the true performance advantages are realized with alternatives:

• Tungsten Super Shot (TSS): Considered the gold standard for turkey hunting. TSS is incredibly dense (denser than lead or steel), allowing for smaller shot sizes (e.g., #7, #9) that carry more energy and maintain tighter patterns at extended ranges. When combined with a .660 constriction, TSS can deliver astonishing pattern density and lethal power at distances previously unthinkable.
• Hevi-Shot (and similar blends): These are blends of various metals that offer greater density than lead, providing improved performance over traditional lead loads. They often fall in between lead and TSS in terms of density and cost.
• Lead Shot: While not as dense as TSS or Hevi-Shot, modern lead turkey loads (e.g., #4, #5, #6 shot) can still be effective, especially at closer ranges. However, to maximize the benefit of the .660 constriction, high-antimony lead shot (harder lead) is preferred as it deforms less and patterns better.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Ammo:

• Shot Size: Smaller, denser shot (like TSS #9) allows for more pellets per shell, increasing pattern density. Larger lead shot (#4, #5) carries more individual pellet energy but fewer pellets.
• Payload Weight: Heavier payloads (e.g., 2 oz, 3 oz) contain more pellets, contributing to denser patterns.
• Velocity: While high velocity can be appealing, consistent, moderate velocity often produces more uniform patterns, especially with tighter chokes.
• Cost: TSS is significantly more expensive than lead, but its performance benefits are undeniable for serious turkey hunters.

Experimentation during patterning is key to finding the perfect match for your EAR JPCBN12C1/660 choke.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Choke Tubes

For hunters new and experienced alike, several questions often arise regarding specialized turkey chokes:

Q: Can I shoot steel shot through the EAR Head Hunter .660 Black Nitride choke?
A: No. Tightly constricted chokes like the .660 are generally not recommended for steel shot. Steel shot does not compress like lead or high-density alternatives and can damage your choke tube or even your barrel due to excessive pressure. This choke is designed for lead, TSS, and other non-toxic, high-density loads specifically approved for tight constrictions. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for both your choke and ammunition.

Q: How often should I clean my choke tube?
A: It's good practice to clean your choke tube after every hunting trip or extensive shooting session. Residue from shot wads and powder can build up, potentially affecting performance or making removal difficult. The Black Nitride finish on the EAR Head Hunter makes cleaning easier.

Q: Will this choke increase my shotgun's recoil?
A: A tighter choke itself does not directly increase recoil. However, turkey loads, especially heavy, high-velocity ones like those often paired with this choke, inherently produce more recoil. The perceived recoil will depend more on the ammunition selected than the choke tube itself.

Q: What is the ideal range for this choke?
A: While the .660 constriction can extend your effective range, the "ideal" range is what you determine through patterning your specific shotgun and ammunition. For many setups, lethal patterns can be achieved out to 40-50 yards, sometimes even further with TSS. However, ethical hunting dictates knowing your personal limits and taking only shots within your proven effective range.

Q: Can I use this choke for other types of hunting?
A: While technically possible, the .660 constriction is specifically optimized for turkey hunting and delivering extremely tight patterns. For other game birds or waterfowl, where a broader pattern is often desired for moving targets, this choke would be far too tight and reduce your chances of success. It's best reserved for its intended purpose: precision turkey hunting.

Why Choose the EAR Head Hunter JPCBN12C1/660 from DEGuns?

When investing in critical hunting gear like a choke tube, you want a product that embodies quality, performance, and reliability. The EAR Head Hunter series has built a reputation among serious turkey hunters for its ability to deliver consistent, dense patterns that make a real difference in the field. Its specialized .660 constriction, combined with the robust Black Nitride finish and broad Invector system compatibility, positions it as a top-tier choice for anyone looking to optimize their 12 gauge shotgun for turkey season.

Availability at DEGuns ensures you're getting a genuine product from a reputable seller known for their extensive selection of firearms and accessories. Their commitment to providing quality hunting gear makes them an excellent source for this essential upgrade to your turkey hunting arsenal. Investing in the EAR JPCBN12C1/660 Head Hunter is investing in more confident shots, more ethical harvests, and ultimately, more successful and rewarding turkey hunts. Prepare to dominate the woods with patterns that put more gobblers in your vest.

Feature	Description	Model Identifier
Product Name	Head Hunter Turkey Choke Tube	JPCBN12C1/660
Gauge	12 Gauge	JPCBN12C1/660
Constriction	.660 (Extra-Extra Full)	JPCBN12C1/660
Thread System	Invector	JPCBN12C1/660
Finish	Black Nitride	JPCBN12C1/660
Designed For	Turkey Hunting	JPCBN12C1/660
Optimal Performance With	Tungsten Super Shot (TSS), Hevi-Shot, and high-quality Lead Turkey Loads	JPCBN12C1/660
Availability	DEGuns.com	JPCBN12C1/660