↬ The Savage Stevens 301 single shot shotgun has a great reputation for turkey hunting and choosing the right choke tube for it is important. Several choke tubes have proven to work extremely well compared to factory chokes and can increase pattern density at impressive distances.
The best choke tube for the Savage Stevens 301 is the Carlson’s Long Beard XR. Paired with Winchester XR ammo, this choke is capable of providing dense and consistent patterns beyond 50 yards. Other recommended chokes for the 301 shotgun are the Primos Jelly Head and Carlson’s TSS choke.
In this guide, we’ll discuss in more detail why you should consider these chokes, the features behind them, and what to expect at certain hunting distances. And remember, always pattern your shotgun to see how it performs with the ammo you plan on hunting with so adjustments can be made prior to using it in the field.
Best Chokes for the Savage Stevens 301
These are the three chokes that you should consider for the 301 shotgun and what makes them such dependable choices for turkey hunting. The Savage Stevens 301 is compatible with Standard Invector style choke threads.
1) Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke
Savage Stevens 301 shotguns excel for hunting turkeys and the Long Beard choke by Carlson’s is the best fit. It has an extremely tight diameter of .665” which is about as tight as you get for a turkey choke. Paired with Winchester XR ammo, this combo can put dense patterns in a 10-inch circle at over 50 yards.
The Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke features a tight full constriction that delivers dense and consistent patterns, even with heavier than lead loads. Additionally, this choke performs well with a variety of shotshell loads, from lighter loads for close-range shots to heavier magnum loads for longer distances. With its versatility and reliable performance, the Carlson’s Long Beard XR Choke is an excellent choice for any serious turkey hunter. This is the TOP pick!
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2) Primos Jelly Head Turkey Choke
The Primos Jelly Head Choke’s sole purpose is to deliver tight patterns at long ranges for turkey hunting. It features an extended taper and fluted ports to increase patterns by up to 20% and reduce felt recoil making follow up shots easier.
The Primos Jelly Head is constructed out of premium stainless steel with a “Black-T” protective coating for added corrosion resistance and durability. This is the BUDGET pick.
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3) Carlson’s TSS Choke Tube
Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is the densest shot that is available for turkeys. It weighs in at 18g/cc. Lead is around 11g/cc and steel is 7.8g/cc for comparison. Carlson’s has developed the TSS Turkey Choke for turkey hunters who want to take advantage of best ammo on the market.
The Carlson’s TSS Choke Tube is designed specifically for the new Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS ammunition. With very few TSS ammo options being manufactured, it’s nice to know that these two paired up to design something that works. TSS packs a punch in small pellet sizes due to its density. This makes 7s, 8s, and even 9-shot viable turkey shot sizes. This maximizes the amount of pellets in the load and it’s not unheard of to put 90% or more in a 10-inch circle at 50 yards. This is the pick for MAX range.
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Why the Long Beard XR is the best choke for the 301
- Over a three-shot average, the Long Beard delivered the best patterning results
- Long Beard chokes keep the wad from interfering with the shot
- Extended choke design makes for easy removal and choke swap out while hunting
- Durable stainless steel won’t corrode when wet
- The Long Beard can make long shots up to 60 yards when needed
- Long Beard chokes work well with a wide variety of ammo
- Chokes by Carlson’s fit the 301 perfectly
Do extended choke tubes provide better patterns with the 301?
In the field, extended choke tubes can outperform stock choke tubes. It’s critical to consider things like ammo and choke constriction while using extended chokes.
Extended choke tubes provide several advantages, including the ability to remove the choke without a choke wrench since it extends past the barrel, the ability to see the choke size stamped on the side of the choke without removing it, and the fact that most aftermarket choke tubes are extended.
If you use factory choke tubes, you’re limited to the diameter of chokes that come with the shotgun. Three choke tubes are usually utilized, ranging in diameter from open to tight. When it comes to personalizing your choke and ammo, extended choke tubes provide you additional options.
Turkey Choke vs Full Choke, What’s the Difference?
You may think a turkey choke and full choke are the same, but this isn’t always the case. If you mainly hunt waterfowl, the full choke is often considered the tightest patterning choke available. However, turkey chokes go a step beyond a regular full choke to provide even tighter constrictions.
The typical full choke diameter for a 12ga invector-plus choke system runs 0.708”. The same choke system has a typical diameter of 0.697” for a turkey choke. While both are considered tight constrictions, the turkey choke is slightly tighter and thus can deliver compact patterns at range with the right ammo. A turkey choke is often considered an extra-full choke.
If you already have a full choke, do you really need to purchase a turkey choke? The answer depends on how much you turkey hunt and how serious you are about the sport. If you turkey hunt once a year when you’re invited to a buddy’s ranch, then the full choke will work just fine. If turkey hunting is your life or you’re really into the ballistics side of the sport, then a turkey choke will serve you well.
Tips on Improving Your Savage Stevens 301 Patterns
- Test as many choke and ammo combinations as possible.
- Chokes and ammo specifically designed for each other tend to work the best. The technology and development put into the front end just can’t be ignored.
- Pattern your shotgun at the max distance you plan on shooting in the field.
- Limit your patterning to a 30-inch diameter circle for waterfowl or 10-inch for turkeys
- Compensate for shot drift in high winds or pellet fall at long distances.
- Switch to dense shot like TSS or Hevi-shot for increased pellet energy and density.
- Use an aftermarket sight for a better shot profile.
- Average your results from 3 shots before giving up on a particular load.
How It Compares
When it comes to choosing the right choke tube for the Savage Stevens 301 shotgun, Carlson’s Long Beard XR stands out from its competitors. The Long Beard is engineered with a unique design that provides consistent and even shot patterns, resulting in better accuracy and a higher precision. Unlike most of its competitors, the Long Beard is built with a tapered design, which ensures that the wad and shot column compress and separate cleanly, reducing the chances of having holes or gaps in your pattern. Additionally, the Long Beard’s longer parallel section helps to reduce recoil, which in turn leads to more controlled shots and better follow ups. Overall, the Long Beard XR is a top performer, delivering outstanding results that set it apart from the competition.
Bottom Line
The Savage Stevens 301 is a well-known single shot shotgun for turkey hunting due to its dependable performance for over a decade. Easily recognizable with its slim, break open profile, the 301 has proven its dependability and performance for many turkey hunters.
The best choke for the Savage Stevens 301 is the Carlson’s Long Beard XR choke. It can deliver tight patterns out to 60 yards on turkeys when paired with Winchester XR ammo. The Primos Jelly Head is another good option at a budget price, especially for magnum turkey loads. The Carlson’s TSS Choke is the go-to choke if you use TSS shot or other tungsten based loads.
As always, you should pattern your shotgun to see what ammo and choke combinations work the best out of it. One shotgun may not perform like another. Test it out and develop a system that will work well throughout the hunting season and give you the best chance of success when birds are in your sights.
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