For any shotgun enthusiast or serious hunter aiming to maximize their performance with lead shot, particularly when precision at extended ranges is paramount, the choice of choke tube is a critical decision. The Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke for 12 Gauge shotguns, specifically designed as an XX-Full constriction and rated for lead shot only, stands out as an indispensable accessory for achieving unparalleled pattern density and reach. This specialized choke tube is engineered to deliver the tightest possible patterns, making it the preferred choice for scenarios demanding extreme accuracy with traditional lead ammunition.

Unlocking Extreme Precision: What an XX-Full Choke Offers

At its core, a choke tube is a removable or fixed constriction at the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel that controls the spread of the shot pattern as it leaves the barrel. Different levels of constriction—from Cylinder to Full and beyond—dictate how tightly the pellets hold together over distance. The Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke represents one of the most extreme constrictions available, designated as XX-Full. This designation signifies a substantial narrowing of the barrel's diameter at the muzzle, forcing the lead shot payload into a much denser and more concentrated pattern than typically achieved with less restrictive chokes.

But who exactly benefits from such an extreme constriction? Primarily, this choke is designed for hunters who require the tightest possible shot patterns to ensure maximum energy transfer and effective range on challenging targets. Think of a turkey hunter aiming for a small, vital area on a gobbler's head and neck at considerable distances. For these specific applications, a wider, more open pattern would result in fewer pellets on target, potentially leading to missed shots or wounded game. The XX-Full constriction ensures that an overwhelming majority of the lead pellets impact within a critical zone, increasing knockdown power and ethical hunting success.

Beyond turkey hunting, competitive shooters who utilize lead shot in specific disciplines might also find this choke invaluable when the rules permit and tight patterns are advantageous. It’s about optimizing every single pellet for its intended purpose, transforming your 12-gauge shotgun into a highly precise instrument for very specific tasks.

The Critical "Lead Only" Specification Explained

One of the most crucial aspects of the Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke is its explicit "Lead Only" rating. This isn't merely a recommendation; it's a vital safety and performance specification that must be strictly adhered to. The reason lies in the material properties of different shot types and the extreme constriction of an XX-Full choke.

Lead is a relatively soft metal. When a shotshell containing lead pellets is fired through an XX-Full choke, the pellets deform slightly as they are squeezed through the tight constriction. While this deformation is part of the patterning process, lead's malleability allows it to pass through without causing damage to the choke or barrel.

In contrast, steel shot, bismuth, or other alternative non-toxic shot materials are significantly harder than lead. Forcing these harder pellets through an XX-Full choke, which has a very aggressive constriction, can lead to several severe problems:

• Choke Tube Damage: The harder pellets can score, scratch, or even crack the choke tube itself.
• Barrel Damage: In extreme cases, harder shot can swell or bulge the shotgun barrel, creating a dangerous condition that could lead to catastrophic failure upon subsequent firing.
• Pattern Degradation: Even if damage doesn't occur immediately, the harder pellets won't deform in the same way as lead, leading to unpredictable and often inferior patterns.
• Safety Risk: The most critical concern is the potential for structural failure of the firearm, posing a serious safety risk to the shooter and anyone nearby.

Therefore, the "Lead Only" warning on the Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke is a non-negotiable directive designed to ensure your safety and the longevity of your firearm, while guaranteeing optimal performance with lead ammunition. Always double-check your ammunition type and choke rating before loading your shotgun.

Design Excellence: Why Choose Mossberg ACCU Choke?

Mossberg's reputation for producing reliable and high-performing firearms extends seamlessly to their accessories, including the ACCU Choke system. The Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke is crafted from durable materials, typically heat-treated stainless steel or similar robust alloys, designed to withstand the immense pressures and stresses generated during firing. The precision machining ensures a consistent and accurate constriction, vital for repeatable patterning.

Key features and benefits of this specific choke tube include:

• Optimized for Mossberg 12 Gauge Shotguns: This choke tube is part of the Mossberg ACCU-Choke system, meaning it is specifically engineered to fit seamlessly into compatible Mossberg 12-gauge shotguns that accept interchangeable choke tubes. This ensures a perfect fit, reliable performance, and easy installation/removal.
• Consistent Patterning: The XX-Full constriction is meticulously designed to provide consistent, ultra-tight patterns shot after shot with lead ammunition. This reliability is paramount for hunters and shooters who depend on predictable performance in critical moments.
• Enhanced Range and Effectiveness: By concentrating the shot payload, this choke significantly extends the effective range for lead ammunition on specific targets, allowing for cleaner shots and greater confidence at distances where less restrictive chokes would scatter too widely.
• Durability: Constructed from high-quality materials, the choke is built to last, resisting corrosion and wear from repeated firing, provided it's used with the specified lead shot.
• Easy Installation and Removal: Like all Mossberg ACCU Chokes, the 95267 can be easily installed and removed with a standard choke wrench, allowing shooters to quickly adapt their shotgun to different hunting scenarios or shooting needs.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases

If you're asking, "What is the best choke for turkey hunting with lead shot?" or "How can I achieve tighter patterns with my 12 gauge for long-range precision?", the Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke XX-Full Lead Only is your answer.

• Turkey Hunting: This is arguably the primary and most celebrated application for an XX-Full lead-only choke. Turkey hunting often involves static targets at varied ranges, requiring maximum pellet density within a small kill zone (head and neck). The tight pattern ensures a high concentration of pellets for a swift, ethical harvest, even at distances up to 40-50 yards or more depending on ammunition and patterning.
• Predator Hunting (Lead Shot): For specific predator hunting scenarios where lead shot is used and a tight pattern is desired to ensure maximum impact on a stationary or slow-moving target, this choke can be highly effective.
• Specialized Long-Range Shooting (Lead Shot): While not typical for all shotgun sports, certain niche competitions or shooting challenges may benefit from the extreme patterning capabilities of this choke when using lead loads.

Maximizing Performance: Patterning Your Shotgun

Simply screwing in an XX-Full choke isn't enough to guarantee peak performance. To truly understand and maximize the potential of your Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke, patterning your shotgun is essential. Patterning is the process of test-firing your shotgun with your chosen ammunition at various distances to see how the shot spreads.

Here's how to effectively pattern your shotgun:

1. Set Up a Target: Use large sheets of paper or cardboard (at least 3x3 feet) with a central aim point.
2. Establish Distance: Start at typical hunting distances, such as 20, 30, and 40 yards.
3. Use Your Intended Ammunition: Crucially, use the exact brand, type, and load of lead shotshells you plan to use in the field. Different loads, even with the same choke, can produce vastly different patterns.
4. Shoot From a Stable Rest: This eliminates shooter error and allows you to accurately assess the choke and ammunition's performance.
5. Analyze the Pattern:
   • Point of Impact: Does the center of the pattern match your aim point? If not, minor adjustments to your aiming technique or sights may be necessary.
   • Pattern Density: How many pellets are within a critical zone (e.g., a 10-inch circle for turkeys)? The XX-Full choke should show a very high percentage of pellets in the core.
   • Pattern Uniformity: Are the pellets evenly distributed within the pattern, or are there significant gaps or clumping? A good pattern is uniform.
6. Repeat: Fire multiple shots at each distance to ensure consistency.

Patterning allows you to confirm that your Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke and chosen lead ammunition are performing optimally together, giving you the confidence needed for a successful hunt.

Maintenance and Care

Like any precision firearm component, your Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke requires proper care and maintenance. After each use, especially after firing, remove the choke tube and clean it thoroughly. Powder residue and plastic wad fouling can build up inside the choke, affecting performance and potentially making future removal difficult. Use a good quality gun solvent and a brush to remove all traces of fouling. Apply a thin layer of choke tube grease or anti-seize compound to the threads before re-installing to prevent seizing and ensure easy removal next time. Proper maintenance extends the life of your choke and ensures consistent performance.

Frequently Asked Questions about XX-Full Chokes

Q: What is the primary difference between a Full choke and an XX-Full choke?
A: Both Full and XX-Full chokes are designed for tight patterns, but the XX-Full offers a significantly greater degree of constriction. While a Full choke might typically deliver about 70% of a shotshell's pellets within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards, an XX-Full choke, especially with optimized lead loads, aims to concentrate an even higher percentage (often 80%+) into a much smaller diameter, like a 10-inch or 15-inch circle at the same distance. This extreme constriction makes the XX-Full highly specialized for dense patterns with lead.

Q: Can I use this choke for skeet or trap shooting?
A: Generally, an XX-Full choke is far too tight for typical skeet or trap shooting. These sports usually benefit from more open chokes (Skeet, Improved Cylinder, or Light Modified) that provide a wider pattern for fast-moving clay targets at closer ranges. Using an XX-Full choke for these disciplines would result in very few breaks due to the extremely narrow pattern requiring pinpoint accuracy on a constantly moving target. It is specifically for lead shot and very tight patterns.

Q: How do I know if my Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun is compatible with this choke?
A: The Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke is designed for Mossberg shotguns that utilize the ACCU-Choke interchangeable choke system. Most modern Mossberg 12-gauge shotguns, especially the popular 500, 590, and 835 series (with an overbored barrel for the 835), are compatible. Always check your shotgun's manual or the barrel markings to confirm it uses the ACCU-Choke system.

Q: Will using an XX-Full choke increase the recoil of my shotgun?
A: While the choke itself doesn't directly increase recoil, the extremely tight constriction can sometimes make the shotgun feel like it has more recoil, as the shot charge is being forced through a tighter space. This is often more a perception based on the sound and muzzle blast characteristics rather than a significant increase in felt recoil, which is primarily determined by ammunition load, firearm weight, and shooter stance.

Q: How often should I clean my choke tube?
A: It's highly recommended to clean your choke tube after every shooting session. Carbon and plastic wad residue can quickly build up, especially with an XX-Full constriction. Regular cleaning prevents these deposits from hardening, which can make the choke difficult to remove and potentially impact future performance.

Your Trusted Source for Mossberg Accessories

The Mossberg 95267 ACCU Choke 12 GA XX-Full Lead Only is a specialized tool for shooters who demand the utmost precision and pattern density with lead ammunition. For hunters pursuing game like turkeys where tight patterns are not just an advantage but a necessity, this choke tube delivers unmatched performance. Its robust construction and precise engineering reflect Mossberg's commitment to quality, ensuring a reliable addition to your shooting gear. When seeking to optimize your Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun for specific, high-precision lead shot applications, this XX-Full choke tube is an investment in enhanced accuracy and effectiveness.

This and a wide array of other genuine Mossberg accessories and compatible ammunition are available for your shooting needs at DEGuns.

Attribute	Specification	Detail
UPC	015813952675	Unique Product Code for Identification
Brand	Mossberg	Renowned Manufacturer of Firearms and Accessories
Model	ACCU Choke	Part of Mossberg's Interchangeable Choke System
Gauge	12 Gauge	Designed for 12-gauge Shotguns
Constriction	XX-Full	Extreme Constriction for Tightest Patterns
Shot Type	Lead Only	Crucially Important: For Use Exclusively with Lead Shot
Material	Steel Alloy	Durable, Heat-Treated Construction for Longevity
Application	Turkey Hunting, Long-Range Lead Shot Precision	Optimized for Specific Hunting and Shooting Scenarios