First Thoughts on the Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued
Turkey hunting requires precision and a dense, consistent pattern at longer ranges. That’s why when I needed to upgrade my old shotgun, I immediately looked for a quality aftermarket choke. The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued stood out for its reputation for delivering tight patterns and its durable construction.
I needed a choke that could reliably put a high percentage of pellets in the vital zone at 40 yards or more. My previous experiences with factory chokes had left me wanting, with inconsistent patterns leading to missed opportunities. I was looking for something that would give me the confidence to take those longer shots ethically and effectively.
Upon unboxing, the Carlsons choke felt solid and well-made. The stainless steel construction gave it a reassuring weight, and the matte blued finish looked both durable and aesthetically pleasing. The extension beyond the barrel offered a sense of added precision and control.
Compared to the factory Remington choke, the Carlsons felt like a significant upgrade in terms of both build quality and design. I also considered the Briley and Patternmaster chokes, but the Carlsons offered a compelling balance of performance and price. At $35.99, it seemed like a worthwhile investment to improve my turkey hunting setup.
My first impression was one of cautious optimism. I was excited to see how the Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued would perform in the field, but I also knew that the real test would be on the range, patterning different loads to find the optimal combination for my shotgun.
Real-World Testing: Putting Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued to the Test
First Use Experience
I first tested the Carlsons choke at my local shooting range. The range provided a controlled environment to pattern the shotgun at various distances using different turkey loads. I focused on 30, 40, and 50-yard targets to assess the choke’s performance at realistic hunting ranges.
The weather was clear and calm, ideal conditions for patterning a shotgun. Using a lead sled, I aimed to eliminate as much human error as possible. The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued was easy to install and remove, fitting snugly onto my Remington 870.
Initially, I experimented with Winchester Long Beard XR and Federal Premium Grand Slam turkey loads. The patterns at 30 yards were impressively tight, almost too tight, suggesting a potential issue with pellet deformation at such close range. At 40 yards, however, the patterns opened up nicely, providing a dense core with sufficient spread for a reliable kill shot. There were no noticeable issues or surprises during the first range session.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use and multiple range sessions, the Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued has proven to be a reliable and consistent performer. I have put approximately 100 rounds through it. The choke has held up well to repeated firing.
There are no signs of wear and tear on the choke itself. The matte blued finish has resisted scratches and corrosion, even after exposure to moisture and cleaning solvents. Regular cleaning with a bore brush and solvent has been sufficient to maintain the choke’s performance and prevent buildup of residue.
Compared to my previous experiences with factory chokes, the Carlsons choke has significantly improved my confidence in the field. The consistent patterns and extended range have allowed me to take shots that were previously out of reach. The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued has become an integral part of my turkey hunting setup, delivering consistent performance.
Breaking Down the Features of Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued
Specifications
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued is specifically designed for Remington 12-gauge shotguns with Rem Choke threads. It is an extended choke tube, meaning it protrudes approximately 1 inch beyond the end of the barrel.
The choke is manufactured from 17-4 heat treated stainless steel, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion. Its finish is a matte blue, which helps to reduce glare and blends well with most shotgun finishes.
The Carlsons Turkey choke features a 1.050″ parallel section. This section is designed to optimize pattern density and consistency by allowing the shot column to stabilize before exiting the choke. The “Turkey” designation signifies its tight constriction, intended for maximizing effective range on turkey-sized targets.
These specifications are critical for turkey hunting, where tight, consistent patterns are essential for ethical and effective shots at longer distances. The stainless-steel construction ensures the choke can withstand the harsh conditions of the outdoors. The matte finish reduces glare, preventing spooking wary birds.
Performance & Functionality
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued excels at delivering dense, consistent patterns at ranges typically encountered in turkey hunting. It effectively tightens the shot spread, placing a high percentage of pellets in the vital zone of a turkey target at 40 yards and beyond. Accuracy is noticeably improved compared to factory chokes.
The primary strength of the choke lies in its ability to extend the effective range of a 12-gauge shotgun for turkey hunting. The tight patterns it produces provide the confidence to take longer shots, increasing the chances of a clean, ethical kill. Some loads may perform better than others, requiring range testing for optimization.
The Carlsons choke meets expectations and, in many ways, exceeds them. It has consistently delivered tighter patterns than I anticipated, significantly improving my success rate in the field. It’s a well-engineered choke that lives up to its claims.
Design & Ergonomics
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued features a robust and functional design. The stainless steel construction provides significant weight, contributing to perceived durability.
The matte blue finish is aesthetically pleasing and serves a practical purpose by reducing glare. The extended design allows for easy installation and removal. The choke does not require any special tools.
The choke is user-friendly with no real learning curve. Simply screw it into the barrel of a compatible shotgun, ensuring it is snug but not overly tightened. The choke tube’s design is focused on performance and durability rather than flashy aesthetics.
Durability & Maintenance
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued, built from 17-4 heat treated stainless steel, is designed for long-term durability. With proper care, it should last for many seasons of hunting.
Maintenance is straightforward. After each use, it’s recommended to clean the choke tube with a bore brush and solvent to remove any residue. Regular cleaning will prevent corrosion and ensure consistent performance over time. The choke tube is easy to disassemble and reassemble for thorough cleaning.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued does not come with any additional accessories. The primary customization option is selecting the appropriate load (shell) to achieve the desired pattern.
While the choke itself is not directly customizable, it is compatible with various shotgun accessories. This includes sling attachments, aftermarket sights, and shell carriers. The choke is designed to work seamlessly with any standard Remington 870 or similar 12-gauge shotgun.
Pros and Cons of Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued
Pros
- Delivers extremely tight and consistent patterns, extending effective range for turkey hunting.
- Manufactured from durable 17-4 heat treated stainless steel for long-lasting performance.
- Easy to install and remove without special tools.
- The matte blue finish reduces glare and blends well with most shotgun finishes.
- Reasonably priced at $35.99, offering excellent value for its performance.
Cons
- The extremely tight patterns may result in overly dense patterns at very close ranges (less than 20 yards).
- Optimal performance requires experimenting with different turkey loads to find the best match for your specific shotgun.
Who Should Buy Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued?
This choke is perfect for dedicated turkey hunters who are seeking to maximize the effective range and pattern density of their Remington 12-gauge shotgun. It is a great upgrade for hunters looking to improve their success rate and ethical harvesting of turkeys. It is also a good choice for hunters who frequently encounter longer-range shots.
Hunters who primarily hunt turkeys at very close range (inside of 20 yards) or those who are unwilling to experiment with different loads to find the optimal pattern might want to skip this product. Additionally, if you don’t own a Remington 12-gauge shotgun with Rem Choke threads, this choke is not compatible.
A must-have accessory to pair with this choke is a variety pack of different turkey loads. This will allow you to pattern your shotgun and identify the load that produces the tightest and most consistent pattern. A quality optic or sight system can also help to improve accuracy and confidence at longer ranges.
Conclusion on Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued
The Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued is a worthwhile investment for serious turkey hunters looking to enhance the performance of their Remington 12-gauge shotgun. Its ability to deliver tight, consistent patterns at extended ranges can significantly improve your chances of a successful and ethical hunt.
The price of $35.99 is justified by the choke’s durable construction and the noticeable improvement in pattern density and range. I would personally recommend this choke to any turkey hunter looking for a reliable and effective upgrade.
If you are serious about turkey hunting and want to take your shooting to the next level, consider adding the Carlsons Remington 12 Gauge Turkey Rem Choke Stainless Matte Blued to your arsenal. You won’t be disappointed.