Optimizing Your Turkey Hunt: The Carlson's Head Hunter Choke Tube for Mossberg 12 Gauge

Are you a dedicated turkey hunter looking to significantly improve your shotgun's performance and achieve tighter, more consistent patterns? Do you struggle with ethical shot placement at various ranges or want to maximize the effectiveness of your Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun for harvesting big toms? The Carlson's Head Hunter Choke Tube, specifically designed for Mossberg 835 and 935 12 gauge shotguns, is engineered precisely for these challenges. This premium choke tube, featuring a .665 constriction and a durable black nitride finish, is an indispensable upgrade for any serious turkey hunter seeking to transform their shotgun into a precision instrument.

What is a Choke Tube and Why is it Crucial for Turkey Hunting?

Before diving into the specifics of the Carlson's Head Hunter, it’s essential to understand the role of a choke tube in shotgun performance, especially for turkey hunting. A choke tube is a removable device threaded into the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel. Its primary function is to constrict the shotgun's bore, controlling the spread of the shot pellets as they exit the barrel. Different levels of constriction—from "Cylinder" (no constriction) to "Extra Full" (significant constriction)—are available, each designed for specific hunting applications or shooting disciplines.

For turkey hunting, the goal is often to deliver a dense pattern of pellets to a very small, vital area on the bird: the head and neck. Unlike other forms of hunting where a broader spread might be beneficial, turkey hunting demands precision. An inconsistent or too-wide pattern means fewer pellets hitting the target, reducing the likelihood of a clean, ethical harvest. This is where a specialized turkey choke like the Carlson's Head Hunter becomes not just an accessory, but a critical component of your setup. It's designed to squeeze the shot column more aggressively than standard chokes, resulting in a much tighter, more concentrated pattern at typical turkey hunting ranges, typically from 20 to 50 yards, sometimes even further with advanced loads.

The Problem It Solves for Hunters

Many hunters find their factory-supplied choke tubes don't provide the optimal pattern density needed for reliable turkey hunting. This can lead to:

• Wasted shots: Pellets spread too wide, resulting in an insufficient number hitting the vital zone.
• Reduced effective range: The pattern thins out too quickly at distance, limiting ethical shot opportunities.
• Inconsistent performance: Variability in patterns from shot to shot, leading to uncertainty in the field.
• Frustration and missed opportunities: Failing to secure a tom due to equipment limitations rather than hunter error.

The Carlson's Head Hunter directly addresses these issues by offering a highly optimized constriction specifically for turkey loads, ensuring maximum pellet count within a critical zone.

Key Features and Benefits of the Carlson's Head Hunter Choke Tube

The Carlson's Head Hunter isn't just another choke tube; it's a meticulously engineered tool designed for superior turkey hunting performance. Here’s an in-depth look at its features and the tangible benefits they offer:

Precision Constriction: The .665 Advantage

The heart of this choke tube's performance lies in its .665-inch constriction. For Mossberg 835 and 935 12 gauge shotguns, which feature an overbored barrel (a larger bore diameter than standard 12 gauge), this specific constriction is engineered to produce exceptionally tight and dense patterns. A tighter constriction means the shot column is compressed more significantly as it exits the barrel, reducing pellet stringing and ensuring more pellets arrive on target within a compact group. This density is crucial for delivering the energy needed for a quick, humane harvest of a turkey. It's designed to optimize the performance of modern turkey loads, including heavy lead, copper-plated lead, and especially high-density Tungsten Super Shot (TSS).

Unyielding Durability: 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Construction

Crafted from high-grade 17-4 PH stainless steel, the Carlson's Head Hunter is built to withstand the rigors of serious hunting. This material is renowned for its exceptional strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Unlike softer materials that might wear down or deform over time with heavy use and high-pressure loads, 17-4 PH stainless steel maintains its integrity, ensuring consistent performance shot after shot, season after season. This robust construction means you can rely on your choke tube even in challenging weather conditions or after extended periods of use.

Stealth and Protection: Black Nitride Finish

The black nitride finish serves multiple purposes beyond aesthetics. First, it significantly enhances the choke tube's corrosion resistance, protecting it from moisture, rust, and the corrosive elements found in some ammunition. This means less maintenance and a longer lifespan for your investment. Second, the matte black finish minimizes glare, a critical factor for maintaining stealth in the field. A shiny choke tube could potentially alert a wary turkey to your presence, especially during sunny conditions. The non-reflective surface helps you remain hidden, increasing your chances of getting that close shot.

Extended Design for Optimal Performance

The Head Hunter choke tube features an extended design, meaning it protrudes past the end of the shotgun barrel. This extension offers several functional benefits:

• Improved patterning: The longer constriction zone allows for a more gradual and consistent compression of the shot column, which often leads to more uniform and tighter patterns.
• Easier installation and removal: The knurled extension provides a larger surface area for gripping, making it easy to install or remove the choke tube by hand without needing a wrench, even in cold weather or with gloved hands.
• Muzzle protection: The extended portion acts as a buffer, protecting the delicate muzzle crown of your shotgun barrel from accidental damage or dings when maneuvering through dense woods or leaning against a tree.

Real-World Applications and Hunter Success Stories

How does the Carlson's Head Hunter translate into real-world turkey hunting success? Imagine being set up in a blind, a tom gobbling aggressively just out of your usual effective range. With a standard choke, you might hesitate, fearing an inconsistent pattern. But with the Head Hunter, hunters consistently report:

• Extended ethical range: Many users confidently take shots at 40-50 yards, and even beyond with specific TSS loads, knowing their pattern is still dense enough for a clean kill. This opens up more shot opportunities.
• More consistent patterns: Eliminate the guesswork. Patterning your shotgun with this choke reveals a clear, tight core pattern that instills confidence when that tom steps out.
• Superior performance with TSS loads: Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) has revolutionized turkey hunting with its incredible density. The Carlson's Head Hunter is explicitly designed to maximize the potential of these premium loads, delivering an astonishing number of pellets on target. While it performs exceptionally with traditional lead turkey loads, its pairing with TSS is truly exceptional.
• Confidence in the field: Knowing your equipment is optimized provides a mental edge, allowing you to focus on the hunt, calling, and reading the bird, rather than worrying about your shotgun's performance. This confidence directly translates to better decision-making and more successful hunts.

For example, a hunter pursuing an old, wary gobbler that hangs up at 45 yards knows they have a reliable pattern to close the deal. Or, a new hunter looking for their first turkey can have peace of mind that their equipment is giving them the best possible chance for an ethical harvest. This choke tube is an investment in successful and responsible hunting.

Compatibility and Installation

The Carlson's Head Hunter Choke Tube (UPC: 723189700086) is specifically engineered for:

• Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag 12 Gauge Shotguns
• Mossberg 935 Magnum 12 Gauge Shotguns

These Mossberg models feature an overbored barrel design, which requires a choke tube with a specific thread pattern and internal dimensions to function correctly and safely. Always ensure you are using the correct choke tube for your specific shotgun model to prevent damage to your firearm or injury.

Installation is straightforward:

1. Safety First: Always ensure your shotgun is unloaded and the chamber is clear before handling any components.
2. Clean Barrel: A clean barrel and choke tube threads are crucial. Use a bore brush and cleaner to remove any fouling or debris from the barrel's choke tube threads.
3. Apply Choke Grease: Apply a small amount of anti-seize choke tube grease to the threads of the Carlson's Head Hunter choke tube. This prevents galling (cold welding) and makes future removal easier.
4. Hand Tighten: Insert the choke tube into the barrel and hand-tighten it until snug. The extended knurled portion makes this easy.
5. Check Tightness: While often hand-tightening is sufficient, a choke tube wrench (if available and compatible) can be used to give it a final snug turn, but avoid overtightening.

The Importance of Patterning Your Shotgun

Acquiring the Carlson's Head Hunter choke tube is a significant step, but it's only half the equation for optimal performance. The critical next step is patterning your shotgun. This involves shooting your chosen turkey loads at paper targets at various distances (e.g., 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards) to see how the choke tube and ammunition combination performs.

Why Patterning Matters:

• Load Specificity: Every brand and type of turkey ammunition (e.g., different shot sizes, shell lengths, or materials like lead vs. TSS) will pattern differently, even with the same choke. Patterning helps you find the load that performs best with your specific shotgun and choke.
• Confidence Building: Seeing the dense, consistent patterns on paper builds immense confidence for hunting in the field. You'll know precisely where your shotgun shoots and its effective range.
• Point of Impact: Patterning also helps you confirm the point of impact relative to your aiming point. Some shotguns may shoot slightly high, low, or to the side, and knowing this allows for necessary adjustments to your aiming strategy or optic.
• Ethical Hunting: Ultimately, patterning ensures you can consistently place a lethal number of pellets into the turkey's head and neck area, promoting clean, ethical kills.

Take the time to thoroughly pattern your shotgun with the Carlson's Head Hunter and your chosen ammunition. This practice is just as important as the choke tube itself in maximizing your success in the turkey woods.

Where to Find This Essential Turkey Hunting Upgrade

The Carlson's Head Hunter Turkey Choke Tube for Mossberg 835/935 12 Gauge (.665 Black Nitride) is a top-tier accessory for serious turkey hunters. When you're ready to enhance your shotgun's patterning capabilities and increase your chances of a successful and ethical harvest, you can find this premium choke tube and other essential turkey hunting gear at reputable retailers. As a leading supplier of firearms and accessories, DEGuns is an excellent source for this specific Carlson's choke tube, ensuring you receive a genuine product with reliable service. Equip your Mossberg 12 gauge with the Head Hunter and experience the difference in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Choke Tubes

Q: What makes a "turkey choke" different from other chokes?
A: Turkey chokes are typically "Extra Full" or even tighter (like the .665 constriction of the Head Hunter). They are designed for maximum constriction to produce extremely dense, tight patterns at longer ranges, specifically for targeting a turkey's head and neck. Standard chokes like Modified or Full provide a wider spread suitable for different game or clay shooting.

Q: Can I use steel shot with the Carlson's Head Hunter choke tube?
A: No. While the Carlson's Head Hunter is incredibly durable, it is not recommended for use with steel shot due to its extremely tight constriction. Steel shot is harder than lead and can damage the choke tube or even the barrel if used with such tight constrictions. This choke is designed for lead, copper-plated lead, and high-density shot materials like Tungsten Super Shot (TSS). Always refer to your shotgun's manual and the choke tube manufacturer's recommendations regarding ammunition types.

Q: How often should I clean my choke tube?
A: It's a good practice to clean your choke tube after every hunting trip or shooting session, especially if you've fired many rounds. Powder fouling and plastic wad residue can build up, potentially affecting performance and making it difficult to remove the choke. Regular cleaning, along with applying anti-seize choke grease, ensures longevity and easy maintenance.

Q: Will this choke tube fit my Mossberg 500 or 590 12 gauge?
A: No, this specific Carlson's Head Hunter choke tube (UPC: 723189700086) is designed exclusively for Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag and Mossberg 935 Magnum 12 gauge shotguns. These models have a different barrel bore diameter and choke tube threading than the Mossberg 500/590 series. Always confirm the exact model and gauge compatibility before purchasing any choke tube. Carlson's does offer Head Hunter chokes for other Mossberg models, but you would need to identify the correct part number for your specific shotgun.

Product Specifications

Feature	Description
Product Type	Turkey Choke Tube
Brand	Carlson's Choke Tubes (Head Hunter Series)
Gauge	12 Gauge
Constriction	.665" (Extra Full Turkey)
Compatibility	Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag, Mossberg 935 Magnum
Material	17-4 PH Stainless Steel
Finish	Black Nitride
Design	Extended (Ported and Knurled for easy removal)
Recommended Use	Turkey Hunting (optimized for Lead, Copper Plated, and TSS Loads)
UPC	723189700086