Considering a 410 Shotgun for Turkey

[outrider58]

This is kind of a new-ish thing, people choosing 410 shotguns for turkey hunting. I haven't really begun researching this. I'm hoping the brain trust could help get me started off on the right foot.

It can be semi-auto(preferably) or pump. No single shots. I'd consider a double as long as it is made for turkey or will fill the bill. I would love something with a pistol grip on it, but it's not a deal breaker.

Cammo is a plus and if it isn't cammoed, I would definitely paint it.

Along these lines, I'm open to suggestions on ammo for this gun, obviously it would have to be turkey specific.

Anything else I have missed, please feel free to opine.

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Duke]

Like many other less traditional choices, seems to be about shot selection, and ideally the use of heavier density smaller pellets, like #9 tungsten super shot. Tungsten 9 supposedly hits as hard as conventional 5 lead shot, with roughly the same pellet count as a 12ga load. Kinda hard to wrap my mind around that, thinking 9 shot, but that's the claim. Looks like it could be fun, and something different. What would dissuade me personally though, is that tungsten shot shells are ungodly expensive. Still have to pattern, and I would still want to shoot a good sampling to judge performance. Not a cheap proposition by any means.

 

[John from MD]

I used to hunt rabbits with a .410 SxS and later a Remington 870. Unless something has changed, .410 shotguns usually have 25 or 26 inch barrels.

Rabbits are taken at shorter ranges than Turkeys and I wonder if you would get enough shot and energy on a turkey head at 40 yards or so. I know some bow hunters who called them into 25yard range but I never got any that close with a shotgun. I suppose you could use a .410 if you call them in close.

 

[outrider58]

There is specific 410 turkey ammo out there...

410 Bore 3" 13/16oz 1100FPS Heavyweight TSS Turkey Load

Shop Rogers Sporting Goods for a huge selection of Turkey Hunting Shells. Get your Federal Premium Heavyweight TSS Turkey Loads, 410 Gauge, 3inch 13/16oz 1100FPS today!

www.rogerssportinggoods.com

410 for turkey is kind of the new thing.

 

[lazarus]

Mossberg makes the SA-410 specifically for Turkey hunting. Not super cheap, but not super dear either. If you want real trick shots, Mossberg also makes the Shockwave in .410.

IMHO for something maneuverable, I think it has interchangeable chokes (no idea if you can get a .410 turkey choke), and inexpensive enough to give it a real try without crying, I'd go with the Mossberg Super bantam. .410 option, 18.5 barrel. I think it is tapped so you could run a dot on it.

I'd personally love a shot at turkey hunting, but that is as much a time and access thing for me. One of these days. Maybe this spring I'll finally not be so stupid busy all of April and May I can get out there to Patuxent some. I see plenty of them in the non-Turkey season and heard a few the one year I actually got out during the spring season. I've bumped them in the winter, but no shots in the winter hunt. Heck, I get turkeys at my house, but it has always been lone hens 3-4 times I year that come wandering by (and only one time I've seen a turkey in season, but you better believe I'd grab my crossbow and try to pot a jake or gobbler out a window if I saw one in season).

 

[Bountied]

12ga or nothing for turkeys. I would only use a .410 for squirrels and rabbits. Maybe grouse and quail but a 20ga would be better for that.

 

[outrider58]

Mossberg makes the SA-410 specifically for Turkey hunting. Not super cheap, but not super dear either. If you want real trick shots, Mossberg also makes the Shockwave in .410.

IMHO for something maneuverable, I think it has interchangeable chokes (no idea if you can get a .410 turkey choke), and inexpensive enough to give it a real try without crying, I'd go with the Mossberg Super bantam. .410 option, 18.5 barrel. I think it is tapped so you could run a dot on it.

I'd personally love a shot at turkey hunting, but that is as much a time and access thing for me. One of these days. Maybe this spring I'll finally not be so stupid busy all of April and May I can get out there to Patuxent some. I see plenty of them in the non-Turkey season and heard a few the one year I actually got out during the spring season. I've bumped them in the winter, but no shots in the winter hunt. Heck, I get turkeys at my house, but it has always been lone hens 3-4 times I year that come wandering by (and only one time I've seen a turkey in season, but you better believe I'd grab my crossbow and try to pot a jake or gobbler out a window if I saw one in season).

I saw that Mossberg and it is in the running. My current turkey gun is a Mossberg 835 ulti-mag 3.5" 12ga. I'm trying to move away from that gun. It packs a wallop and with my later years and bad shoulder, it's time I tried something a little less punishing. Plus, I feel a 410 will be much lighter to carry.

I have no problem with a longer barrel. I need a gun with reach.

 

[Bountied]

I saw that Mossberg and it is in the running. My current turkey gun is a Mossberg 835 ulti-mag 3.5" 12ga. I'm trying to move away from that gun. It packs a wallop and with my later years and bad shoulder, it's time I tried something a little less punishing. Plus, I feel a 410 will be much lighter to carry.

I have no problem with a longer barrel. I need a gun with reach.

Try a semi auto that is gas operated. They tend to have less recoil than a pump. I just don't think a .410 is going to have as good of a spread as even a 2 3/4" 12ga or the stopping power.

 

[outrider58]

Try a semi auto that is gas operated. They tend to have less recoil than a pump. I just don't think a .410 is going to have as good of a spread as even a 2 3/4" 12ga or the stopping power.

With a 410, I understand that I am sacrificing certain aspects, that said, I know people who only use bows on turkey. There are plenty of TV hunting shows and videos on the subject.

 

[RFBfromDE]

That measly .410 will only piss off that Tom.

Especially if he is all high and jacked up.

I'd seriously reconsider.

 

[outrider58]

That measly .410 will only piss off that Tom.

Especially if he is all high and jacked up.

I'd seriously reconsider.

Did you watch the video? It is actually a reality.

 

[Brickman301]

I saw that Mossberg and it is in the running. My current turkey gun is a Mossberg 835 ulti-mag 3.5" 12ga. I'm trying to move away from that gun. It packs a wallop and with my later years and bad shoulder, it's time I tried something a little less punishing. Plus, I feel a 410 will be much lighter to carry.

I have no problem with a longer barrel. I need a gun with reach.

It wouldn’t make the gun any lighter, but what about using 3” or even 2 3/4” shells?
That ammo you posted for the 410 is $40 for a box of 5. That right there is enough to turn me off to that idea.

 

[slsc98]

I had much older cousins that used to hunt whitetail and Sitka deer around what is now the Everglades with 22LR … even at the ripe old age of 6 my reaction then is sorta same today when considering the prospect of going after anything bigger than a squirrel or rabbit with .410 bore …

For the turkey(s’) sake, I wish you quick, clean kills.

 

[ohen cepel]

I would make sure I had the ammo in hand before I bought the gun. The little I have seen of .410 turkey loads were $$ (as Brickman mentioned) and not easy to find.

 

[Doco Overboard]

When people talk about shotguns they always talk about shot size and hardness. And choke constriction.
No doubt that’s important but what rarely ever gets mentioned is energy / pressure of the powder charge and how it affects pattern and pattern density.
The pattern is dependent on what occurs before the shot ever leaves the chamber/ hull.
Anyway, turkeys are hard enough to kill with a 12 bore let alone a 410.
I’m pretty sure rank and file 410 loads are not regarded as very efficient killers in the first place.
But, if I wanted a challenge I wouldn’t be opposed to trying it out.
A 16 gauge with some #6’s might be a good alternative for a recoil minded person.
A 3 1/2 is surely no joke but then again a pattern with no holes is a better than a substitute maybe than a gigantic payload that equates to miss.

 

[outrider58]

I would make sure I had the ammo in hand before I bought the gun. The little I have seen of .410 turkey loads were $$ (as Brickman mentioned) and not easy to find.

I had actually thought the same thing. I have a buddy who is a turkey-aholic with a severely deteriorating should who went the same route a few years ago. It may even be too late to find the proper ammo at this juncture, but I aim to try.
Again, I'm not asking anyone for approval of the method. The method is already proven. These guns come with turkey chokes and the ammo is very specific. I am looking for anyone with experience with these turkey guns and what their thoughts are.
Thanks again.

 

[Lanceman_1]

I was looking at the .410 scoped H&R single shot turkey and it supposedly will take the head off at 75 yards. I spoke to a gunsmith and he told me they can modify any .410 to use the .410 turkey super full choke. I personally would go that way because I want more than a single shot.

 

[Uncle Duke]

I had actually thought the same thing. I have a buddy who is a turkey-aholic with a severely deteriorating should who went the same route a few years ago. It may even be too late to find the proper ammo at this juncture, but I aim to try.
Again, I'm not asking anyone for approval of the method. The method is already proven. These guns come with turkey chokes and the ammo is very specific. I am looking for anyone with experience with these turkey guns and what their thoughts are.
Thanks again.

Curiosity got me looking earlier as well. Federal TSS availability is actually quite good online with a number of the typical sources .

 

[outrider58]

Curiosity got me looking earlier as well. Federal TSS availability is actually quite good online with a number of the typical sources .

Yup. Lots of people making it. It's not cheap, but it is cheaper than the same thing in 12ga, which is what I'm using now. Same velocities too.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Yup. Lots of people making it. It's not cheap, but it is cheaper than the same thing in 12ga, which is what I'm using now. Same velocities too.

Not sure if you load shotshells, or have maybe considered it. But I got curious and I do see tungsten shot available by the pound too. Also seeing complete kits available, but only for loading 12 and 20ga. Wads, hulls etc. But if anything similar is available in .410 bore, or will be at a later date, I've missed it thus far.