I have a 20ga Encore Turkey Barrel on the way.

1. What factory loads should be considered?
2. What do I want for a choke tube?
3. What thread pattern does the Encore barrel have? Win, Rem, Brown, Ben, SAE, or...?
4. I probably need optics. 75 years of lookin is wearing on these old eyes.
5. What am I missing?

Anyone have an Encore set up? What are you using?

Thanks
Jim

Federal HW #7's

This shooting great in my Remington, I think the Encore uses Winchoke threads: http://allaboutshooting.com/product_info.php?cPath=70&products_id=330

use the T/C truglo sights. They work fine.

Has anyone patterned the Turkey choke that comes with the Encore barrel? Results?

I have hunted with 12ga since about 1980 and trying something new. Suggestions, opinions, absolute dogma? It's all welcome.

Thanks
Jim

The guys I know that use the Encore 12 gauge say that the factory choke is very good. I've never heard anything on the factory 20 gauge choke. Try it out you can always buy more chokes.

If I was shooting a 20 the load i would start and stop at would be the federal heavyweight 7s

Personally, i prefer optics and for the noney the tru glo Gobble dot is tough to beat I have had one on my 835 for 5 years now and have had zero issues with reliability

The factory choke on my 12 Encore works great and has a great pattern with with Win Turkey loads, so i decide to just stay with it.

Well men, thanks for your input. This should be fun.

Jim

I have a TC Encore 12 ga with a Simmons 1.5-5 NWTF scope and shoot 2.75 Kent Ultimate diamond shot.
The stock is flex-tech and I use an Ex Full extended choke/brake.
Passes the "old eyes" "old shoulders" test just fine.
Have taken several birds with it.

BTW Winchester chokes have the same thread pitch, nice since I formerly used a Win 1300.

Joe, It helps to know the thread pattern because if the factory "TURKEY" choke doesn't pattern to my satisfaction I'll be replacing it.

Thanks
Jim

Thanks for the suggestions.
Jim

My daughter purchased me a Jebs Head Hunter .655 Choke to try in my Encore and it should be here next week according to tracking number. She said it was a early Father Day Present so i could have it for the up coming Spring Turkey Season.

I just checked and my choke is a Carlson/Win-Turkey .660. It is an extended tube and has cuts in the extension that work as a muzzle brake. And before you ask, I have no idea if it is louder because I wear Walker Game ears always. It really helps if a sly Tom tries to sneak a peak at you.
I've heard several birds long before seeing them with the enhanced hearing.

bea175 and uncle joe

Thanks for your response here. I'm changing over from 12ga to 20ga. and looking for what works for guys shooting the Encore 20ga. Your .655 and .660 measurements tell me that you are shooting 12ga. It could be that the manufacturer of great 12ga chokes also make great 20ga. My Stoger 2000 (12ga) is equipped with an "Undertaker" choke and I shoot #6 Hevi13 through it. Great pattern! Now I'm setting up a 20g, specifically an Encore Turkey Barrel and looking for what works well with them.

Thanks for your help.

Jim

Jebs chokes aren't really cheap but their 20 ga chokes sizes will give a starting place to think about

http://www.jebschokes.com/

Thanks
I went to their webpage .... Yep, not cheap!

I saw your 12ga Encore on the other thread. Nice set up.

The guy at Sumtoy customs posts over on OldGobbler and from the pictures I've seen his chokes are super in a 20 gauge and take a lot of the guess work out of buying several chokes to see which works best, his chokes are $65.

http://www.sumtoycustoms.com/index.php/chokes

Basically most chokes will do the same thing , some may do it a little better than others, what you want to pay for a particular one is strictly up to you . You will probably find a 20 dollar Turkey choke that will out perform some of the 100.00 one if you look hard enough and just try a few . The only problem chokes are like handgun holsters , you will find yourself with a box full that you don't ever use , just to find the one you are looking for. Most high end makers like Jebs and maybe some others will send you another size to try if you aren't happy with the one you purchase at first and then trade it out when you find the pattern you are looking for. I have different brand for my shotguns including Factory, Briley , Indian Creek, Heavy Shot, Kicks and Pattern Master . I have killed more Turkeys with the Kicks than any of the other chokes . This Turkey was taken with my Benelli and the Kicks Gobbling Thunder

I am much a fan of Kicks chokes but I never see anything about them in 20 Gauges? I wonder why they aren't more popular as they have always worked great from my 12's?

The cheap Primos Tite Wad choke does excellent in most guns. Lots of guys like that choke with the Fed HW7s. I've had excellent patterns with HW7s with a nonported HS Undertaker as well in Winchoke 20ga.

For $20 each, you can't go wrong. I'd try the factory choke first, then the TW. You'll find that ammo is the most important part of the puzzle.

Reloader7RM

I'll be highly considering your advise here when I make my first choke purchases.
As noted above by bea175, "The only problem chokes are like handgun holsters , you will find yourself with a box full that you don't ever use , just to find the one you are looking for." That's my reality from setting up six previous 12ga turkey thumpers. I enjoy the hunt (both choke and turkey) and am willing to put a few bucks into it however my ancestry is Scottish....

This thread certainly has been fun and instructive. I've learned some things from you guys operating in my targeted 20ga realm. I'm impressed with all the advise, suggestions, and recommendations posted here and appreciative.

Thanks
Jim

Good luck Jim. Be sure to let us know how it does.