After one of my posts about the new Federal #1 Buckshot load, I got an e-mail from a Mr. Trulock, who makes shotgun choke tubes.

He suggested that I might find their products to be interesting, as they had some chokes that would really tighten-up patterns on a shotgun.

I told him I was interested, and he sent me some tubes to test.

I asked for tubes that would fit a Browning Invector Plus, as I had one of those that I could borrow from my buddy Shane.

Here it is.

It is the Browning Gold Hunter model.

A really tight pattern is not always desirable, such as when shooting at birds in flight with birdshot.

A very tight pattern makes it more difficult to at least put “some” pellets in a flying bird.

But for some hunting, especially hunting turkeys, a very tight pattern is desirable to be sure to place as many pellets into the head and neck of the turkey as possible.

Most turkey hunters aim for the neck and head of the bird to minimize damage to the best eating parts of the bird.

Varmint hunters also like tight patterns.

Here’s what we will test.

- 12 gauge Improved Cylinder - .730
- Modified - .720
- Turkey - .670
- Turkey - .665

Here they are.

Let’s see what they do to the pattern at 45 yards with various ammo. (45 yards is a long shot with a shotgun. As we used to say, "It stretches the barrel a little." )

These chokes are made with High Strength Stainless Steel and are made “black” for hunting purposes.

They have a 100% guarantee and are made in the good old USA. They are clearly marked as to choke on the side and on the front of the choke.

Mr. Trulock told me that they are not rated for steel shot in tighter chokes than Modified. But lead and bismuth shot are okay for all their chokes.

The standard choke for this shotgun fits flush with the end of the barrel and requires a wrench to remove it.