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Squirrel hunting is a popular sport for people who enjoy the challenge of stalking and then shooting small games. The shotgun chokes that you choose will depend on your gun and how far away you are from the target. Here we review four of the best choke for squirrel hunting 20 gauge guns including screw-in, modified, improved cylinder, full choke, and turkey variations.
Carlson 70135, Beretta Benelli Mobil 20 Gauge Long Beard Choke Tube, Turkey, Black
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- 30 YEARS WORTH OF PATTERNS: No other company like ours at Carlson's Choke Tubes with 30 plus years of experienced patterning and testing data, by analyzed thousands of load and choke combos with our proprietary software. We bring you the best and most accurate aim choke tubes for your hunting needs.
- HIGH-QUALITY MANUFACTURED: Our high quality Long Beard Turkey for Beretta Benelli Mobil is made of high quality Stainless Steel. This tom-dropping dynamic duo serves-up 10% greater penetration over standard lead shot at distances of more than 50 yards, terminal on-target performance and allows nearly perfectly round shot to be thrown from the barrel for extremely tight, long-range patterns.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Carlson's Choke Tubes Long Beard Turkey for Beretta Benelli Mobil 20 Gauge constricted at Turkey and measured at 0.568 diameter.
- LIFETIME WARRANTY: We back all of our choke tubes with our lifetime warranty so you can focus on busting clays and filling bag limits.
- MADE IN THE USA: All our Carlson's Choke Tubes are made, right here, in the United States.
What do these different types of chokes mean? Well, that’s a question we will be answering in the last section of this article, the buyer’s guide. And yes, we did also answer the most frequently asked questions on this topic so make sure you go through them to clarify any misunderstandings that you might have. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
If you are in a hurry to purchase the best choke for squirrel hunting 20 gauge, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best Choke for Squirrel Hunting 20 Gauge
4 Best Choke for Squirrel Hunting 20 Gauge (Ranked And Reviewed)
Specifications
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Material:
Stainless Steel
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Compatible With:
20 Gauge
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Size:
0.568
Carlson’s 20 gauge long beard chokes are designed to get optimum performance from your shotgun. Carlson’s choke tubes are made from heat-treated stainless steel and ported to help reduce muzzle jump and recoil. All these choke tubes feature a matte finish with laser engraving for easy identification. Carlson’s 20 Gauge Long Beard Choke is made from heat-treated stainless steel and features a black oxide coating for protection.
This choke is easy to install and remove, making it the perfect accessory for your shotgun as you can change it on the field without having to use a dedicated wrench or tool. The Carlson 20 gauge long beard choke tube is designed to produce consistent patterns. This precision-made choke tube augments the accuracy of the gun by providing a smoother, flatter, and more centered bore for hard shells. It can also be used with soft shells for increased point-blank range due to its wider choking effect.
Positive
- Consistent patterns shot after shot
- Doesn’t need a tool to be installed on the gun
- Won’t rust or otherwise be affected by environmental factors
- Will help you get more kills with lesser shots
Negatives
- Check for compatibility with your gun before you buy
2. TRUGLO Gobble-Stopper Xtreme Shotgun Choke Tube
Specifications
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Material:
Stainless Steel
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Compatible With:
20 Gauge
-
Size:
0.590
The TRUGLO Gobble-Stopper Xtreme shotgun choke tube is a precision CNC-machined from high-grade steel. Its ported design allows for maximum recoil reduction and the ability to handle most loads, including HeviShot. The Gobble-Stopper Xtreme is available for most popular shotgun models. The TRUGLO Gobble-Stopper Xtreme Shotgun Choke Tube is the most effective squirrel choke tube on the market.
This shotgun choke tube has a special coating that prevents rusting and corrosion, making it ideal for use in inclement weather. The TRUGLO Gobble Stopper Xtreme Turkey Choke Tube comes with a free sight which makes it easier to aim at your target. It does not affect the accuracy of your gun so you can have a better aim when hunting squirrels or other game animals.
Positive
- Comes with a free three-dot sight
- Increases weapon accuracy by decreasing recoil
- Can handle even the heaviest of loads including the Hevishot
Negatives
- The adhesive on the provided sights is not very good
3. Carlson’s Choke Tube 20 Gauge Extended
Specifications
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Material:
Stainless Steel
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Compatible With:
20 Gauge
Carlson’s Choke Tubes are manufactured from 17-4 heat-treated stainless steel and have a matte blue finish. The extended choke tubes extend approximately 1″ from the end of the barrel, and measure .050 inch Parallel Section. The 20 Gauge Extended measures 0.631 inch OAL (over all length). This choke is designed specifically to converge the pellets of the shot at a single point. This makes it very useful in long-range squirrel hunting.
It will produce consistent and predictable patterns so that you know exactly where your shot is going to land and you can make better aiming calculations based on that. The matte blue finish on this choke does not only add to the appearance but also provides ultimate rust, stain, and corrosion resistance to it, making sure that it can keep serving you for a good long time.
Positive
- Constriction size etched onto the choke for ease of identification
- Free from the effects of weather and environmental factors
- Works with most popular 20 gauge shotguns
- Places the pellets exactly where you want them to go
Negatives
- Doesn't work with steel shot that is larger than birdshot
4. Carlson’s Choke Tube 20 Gauge Flush Mount Stainless Choke Tube, Full
Specifications
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Material:
Stainless Steel
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Compatible With:
20 Gauge
-
Size:
0.575
Carlson’s Choke Tube 20 Gauge Flush Mount Stainless Choke Tubes are a perfect addition to your shotgun. These choke tubes work with steel, lead, and Hevi-Shot. They feature polished rust and stain-proof silver finish that will last for years of hunting fun. The Carlson’s Choke Tube is made from 17-4 heat-treated stainless steel, so it will last you for years of use! Talking of the operational characteristics of this choke, it is the one that you need on your gun for long-range accurate shots. The patterns are consistent as long as you use them with the same ammunition and weapon.
Positive
- Flush-mounted, does not increase the size of the gun
- Great for long range shooting
- Works with most popular loads
Negatives
- Cannot be installed or removed without a wrench
What To Consider While Buying The Best Choke for Squirrel Hunting 20 Gauge?
Before looking at the factors to keep in mind when buying a choke, it is necessary to learn what chokes do and how can they be helpful.
What Do Chokes Do?
A shotgun with the proper choke can be beneficial when trying to successfully bag an extra squirrel or two. The muzzle of a shotgun has what is called a “choke.” This is typically a section of the shotgun with conical beads that serves to narrow down, or choke, the tube in front of it. The muzzle is also called an “open bore” when discussing shotguns. In general terms, chokes allow for more pellets to be shot out of your gun at one time, which is very helpful for hunting those pesky squirrels. By twisting the end of a shotgun’s muzzle, you can determine how wide or narrow that choke is. A tighter choke will cause more pellets to cluster together as they exit the gun, and a wider choke will allow for a broader spray of pellets to be fired from your shotgun at once.
What Choke is Right for Squirrel Hunting?
The best choke to use for squirrel hunting will depend on the situation you find yourself in. If you are hoping to bag yourself a few more bushy-tailed rodents, then I suggest using the Full choke. This is very helpful when shooting at smaller targets that may be further away from you, like squirrels or rabbits.
Constriction Size
(1) If you are hunting in an area where both small and large game is plentiful, the Modified choke may be more appropriate for your situation.
(2) A slightly looser choke with less constriction will allow you to fire at larger game-like ducks or geese when they appear in your line of fire. It will also let you take down smaller targets closer to you, like squirrels or rabbits.
(3) If your only goal is to bag one large game animal, then the Improved Cylinder choke will be best suited for your needs. The slightly less constricted tighter choke will help you take down larger animals at close range.
(4) Be careful not to spray too wide of a shot, though, especially if you are using shotshells. If the 20 gauge bullet is too wide it can lead to fewer pellets being fired for each shot.
Flush-Mounted Vs. Extended Choke
It really depends on the weapon you are using. Some firearms like side-by-side shotguns, for example, maybe more suited to flush chokes because of their design. If you are hunting with a pump or semi-automatic weapon, however, you may find that extended chokes work better for your needs.
Build Material
Most chokes are made of steel, although some chokes may be composed of lead or even brass. It really comes down to your preferences in terms of what you think will work best for your needs. Either way, just be sure that the choke you select is compatible with your firearm before purchasing it.
Ammunition Compatibility
You will need to make sure that the ammunition you are using in your firearm is compatible with the choke you have installed. It would be counterproductive to use a Full choke when hunting with solid slugs because less powder will come out of the muzzle, which could result in a shorter shot at your target. Just keep in mind that different types of ammunition require different chokes.
Weapon Compatibility
Before purchasing a choke, you will need to know what type of firearm it is compatible with: side-by-side shotguns, pump, and semi-automatic shotguns, or single-shot rifles. You may also want to consider the weight of your weapon as well as its caliber when making your selection.
Ease of Installation
Before purchasing a choke, you will need to know that there are different types of chokes, including flush-mounted and extended type chokes. Flush-mounted would be more conducive to firearms with shorter barrels, while extended is compatible with most shotgun barrel lengths. You will also want to make sure that you can install the choke yourself by reading your firearm’s instruction manual.
Price
The price of a choke is usually correlated to its quality and how efficient it will be at what you need it for, such as for hunting for small prey like squirrels or larger game like wild boar. As with most things, you get what you pay for, so just keep in mind that a cheaper choke may not be the best quality.
FAQs
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Yes, you can, but using a choke will highly increase the accuracy of the gun and will help you score more hits with lesser rounds fired.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
You need to screw the choke inside the threads on the barrel of the gun. Some chokes (extended ones mostly) can be installed on a choke without any tool or wrench. In the case of flush-mounted chokes, you need to use the provided wrench/tool to install or remove the choke.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
No, if the choke is a well-built one and is installed the correct way, it will not affect the accuracy of the gun in any way. Installation of the choke in a wrong way or using an incompatible choke can lead to the gun being inaccurate.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
No, you cannot use any choke on a gun of a different caliber. 12, 16, and 20 gauge guns have their own separate chokes. Even the weapons of the same caliber from different manufacturers are often not cross-compatible with chokes.
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
That will depend on the exact weapon and the type of ammo you are using. You also need to consider how far away you will be from the target to select the correct choke. Generally speaking, if you are far away from the target, a narrower choke would be the best and if you are closer you need to go with a wider choke.
Conclusion
If you want to be able to hunt squirrels in the best possible way, then it is important that you are armed with knowledge. The four hunting shotguns we reviewed can help get you started on choosing one for yourself! Make sure to keep coming back to Ballachy.com for more exciting content about all things hunting and outdoors.
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Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.