I'm thinking of putting together a sub gauge gun specifically for turkey hunting. I am leaning toward the Stevens 301 Turkey, which is offered in a 20ga and a .410. The 20 gauge is a half pound heavier (5.6lbs vs 5.07lbs). Just curious which route you guys would go.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The only issue (and it's not really an issue) is that with the .410 you're almost limited to just TSS for turkeys. If the supply for that ever changes or it gets outrageously expensive because they're finding more uses for it all the time then you have a gun that's too expensive to shoot. With that said it would be so cool to hunt with such a small gun like the .410.
If it was for my main Turkey gun I would go 20ga.
Between the two I'd go 20 no doubt.
I've killed birds with PB out of my .410 @ 10 yrds. I have TSS now. Still my limit would be 20 yrds. Buy the. 410 if you have other guns.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
If it was my sole turkey gun the 20g. If it was a take once in awhile for a good time gun I'd get the .410. The 20g just has more capabilities.
20
20ga
twenty
Go with the 20ga. I read about a guide who has a 28ga tuned for turkeys, but he rolls his own shells for it. With the .410, there's no room for slop. Pattern the gun so you understand well it's limits.
It's challenging to bust skeet with a .410 and I know the flight path of the "bird".
410 with tss and it is a 40 yard gun. I personally like my 20. Would not hesitate to tote a 410 with tss though.
I never understood why people want to shoot as little gauge or caliber as possible? 410 for turkeys and 223 for deer. I know they can be killed with them but we owe it to the animals to not take any chances when we are ending their lives. That being said, man up and go 20
Quote from: SinGin on February 15, 2019, 03:30:46 PM
I never understood why people want to shoot as little gauge or caliber as possible? 410 for turkeys and 223 for deer. I know they can be killed with them but we owe it to the animals to not take any chances when we are ending their lives. That being said, man up and go 20
The most ironic part is that people try to make others feel guilty for not shooting TSS because they "owe it" to the turkey to shoot the best/most lethal shot, then they shoot 410s.
To the OP, if it's a dedicated turkey gun, as others have mentioned, I would go with the 20. If you've got a 20 already, then go for the 410 for something different.
Quote from: SinGin on February 15, 2019, 03:30:46 PM
I never understood why people want to shoot as little gauge or caliber as possible? 410 for turkeys and 223 for deer. I know they can be killed with them but we owe it to the animals to not take any chances when we are ending their lives. That being said, man up and go 20
.
Get some experience with tss and then you will understand.
Quote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2019, 04:06:43 PM
Quote from: SinGin on February 15, 2019, 03:30:46 PM
I never understood why people want to shoot as little gauge or caliber as possible? 410 for turkeys and 223 for deer. I know they can be killed with them but we owe it to the animals to not take any chances when we are ending their lives. That being said, man up and go 20
The most ironic part is that people try to make others feel guilty for not shooting TSS because they "owe it" to the turkey to shoot the best/most lethal shot, then they shoot 410s.
To the OP, if it's a dedicated turkey gun, as others have mentioned, I would go with the 20. If you've got a 20 already, then go for the 410 for something different.
.
The ironic part is people who have absolutely no experiece with something puts in input without knowing much about the subject. Others trying to learn are mislead by advice that cannot be accurate without experience. I would never make someone feel guilty about what they shoot. I do not care what others shoot . I do have experience with tss over the last few years and its medicene on turkeys. I also know several people that went to a 410 for the challenge and believe me , it stomps birds as well as a 12 ga. Just not quiet as far.
Dead is dead! Inside of forty yards the 410 with TSS kills them just as dead as the 20 gauge. 410 saves me on TSS versus the 20. Just my thoughts.
Here's my thoughts. A 20 is the obvious choice for so many obvious reasons if you have one or two guns. Some not so obvious too.( Like many states don't allow .410s or real tiny shot )If you've got a bunch and just want an extra a .410 and it's legal where you hunt it would be cool though.
20 ga
20 for me
Here's my first eastern with my cva 410 ga Hunter with a som toy choke with apex 9.5 @ 37 yds.
Quote from: joeturkey on February 15, 2019, 08:03:05 PM
Here's my first eastern with my cva 410 ga Hunter with a som toy choke with apex 9.5 @ 37 yds.
Awesome , when you talk about a 410 , people think that you are under gunned. They do not realise how effective that little gun is with tss.
I think if your just looking to have some fun the .410 would be a fun challenge assuming it's legal for you. The 20 will give you more versatility in ammo selection.
I would go with the 20 ga.
Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on February 15, 2019, 08:12:26 PM
Quote from: joeturkey on February 15, 2019, 08:03:05 PM
Here's my first eastern with my cva 410 ga Hunter with a som toy choke with apex 9.5 @ 37 yds.
Awesome , when you talk about a 410 , people think that you are under gunned. They do not realise how effective that little gun is with tss.
Technology has allowed smaller chambering to do what larger ones used to do when it was considered good. If you got 130-140 with 3.5" lead 6's you had a turkey crusher. The gun weighed 8.5lbs and kicked like hell but that was the pattern. Now a 3lb 410 can do that with TSS and no real recoil.
I got the 12 gauge, and my dad tapped and drilled in for a scope, and made me a rail. I've just got to paint it.
(http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo30/joeylaurenyoungblood/Mobile%20Uploads/2019-01/EEC51A77-8E15-4326-A4CA-CBC0EFD8CDCB_zpsgb6fgahq.jpg) (http://s358.photobucket.com/user/joeylaurenyoungblood/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2019-01/EEC51A77-8E15-4326-A4CA-CBC0EFD8CDCB_zpsgb6fgahq.jpg.html)
After he did all that work, we learned they come out with one that already had al that stuff done! :toothy12: so I got one of those also. Just for the heck of it, I'll probably get the 20 also...
(http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo30/joeylaurenyoungblood/Mobile%20Uploads/2019-02/63FD6206-730D-487B-81A3-2E017617CE90_zpsuigmjmqo.jpg) (http://s358.photobucket.com/user/joeylaurenyoungblood/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2019-02/63FD6206-730D-487B-81A3-2E017617CE90_zpsuigmjmqo.jpg.html)
20 gauge is deadly out to 40 with lead 6's with a little homework. Good shell and choke combination and it's a turkey killing machine. Call em in close and pepper that noggin! If you want a .410 to kill turkeys cause you want to use one, then by all means get what you want. I would personally go with a 20, but that's me.
20 gauge would be my choice!
Quote from: Spitten and drummen on February 15, 2019, 04:26:12 PM
Quote from: CALLM2U on February 15, 2019, 04:06:43 PM
Quote from: SinGin on February 15, 2019, 03:30:46 PM
I never understood why people want to shoot as little gauge or caliber as possible? 410 for turkeys and 223 for deer. I know they can be killed with them but we owe it to the animals to not take any chances when we are ending their lives. That being said, man up and go 20
The most ironic part is that people try to make others feel guilty for not shooting TSS because they "owe it" to the turkey to shoot the best/most lethal shot, then they shoot 410s.
To the OP, if it's a dedicated turkey gun, as others have mentioned, I would go with the 20. If you've got a 20 already, then go for the 410 for something different.
.
The ironic part is people who have absolutely no experiece with something puts in input without knowing much about the subject. Others trying to learn are mislead by advice that cannot be accurate without experience. I would never make someone feel guilty about what they shoot. I do not care what others shoot . I do have experience with tss over the last few years and its medicene on turkeys. I also know several people that went to a 410 for the challenge and believe me , it stomps birds as well as a 12 ga. Just not quiet as far.
Amen , either gun with TSS is fine 410 or 20 ga.. GREAT POST ....
It looks like I'm in the minority here but if 8 oz. is a deal breaker maybe you should hire a gun bearer, or pick another hobby.
Quote from: Tom Threetoes on February 18, 2019, 06:21:48 PM
It looks like I'm in the minority here but if 8 oz. is a deal breaker maybe you should hire a gun bearer, or pick another hobby.
Maybe he puts alot of time walking up and down hilly terrain. Maybe he is elderly or maybe he can handle holding a lighter gun up for a longer period of time , or maybe he wants more of a challenge. Or just maybe he wants one because he can. I did not see where the weight was a deal breaker in his post. I spent 5 years as a army airborne Ranger and I now hump a 20 gauge. I can tell you when you are humping alot of gear all day , 8 ounces can make a difference. Little bit obnoxious for you to tell the OP that he may need to get a gun bearer or find another hobby.
Don't discount the delightful 28 gauge as a sub-gauge option. The Beretta A400 Xplor 28 gauge is a delightfully light and fast tool. Going to use it in a few states this Spring!
Guess I'm the odd one cuz I've killed a pile of deer with the lowly 223. Never once have I had one ask me what it was killed with nor have I had one run away. I've had a couple that needed shot 2x but I've had the same happen with 270, 30-06, 7mm mag, 7 STW, 308, 7-08 and various other calibers.
As for the gun for your turkey hunting, pick your poison brother. After I win this sight base from Sumtoy (optimism at its best), gonna have William choke a .410 and it'll be stoked with tss for me and my girls to throttle turkeys with together.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: wvmntnhick on February 18, 2019, 08:13:46 PM
Guess I'm the odd one cuz I've killed a pile of deer with the lowly 223. Never once have I had one ask me what it was killed with nor have I had one run away. I've had a couple that needed shot 2x but I've had the same happen with 270, 30-06, 7mm mag, 7 STW, 308, 7-08 and various other calibers.
As for the gun for your turkey hunting, pick your poison brother. After I win this sight base from Sumtoy (optimism at its best), gonna have William choke a .410 and it'll be stoked with tss for me and my girls to throttle turkeys with together.
I bet money that gun will bang flop a bird at 40 all day long.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would pick the 20 which is now my main turkey gun with tss #9s.
I guess the positives that I see with the .410 are cheaper ammunition (factory TSS), less recoil, and lighter weight gun. The obvious downside is a lighter payload of shot.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My primary turkey gun is a reworked single shot 20 gauge, but I also just added a single shot .410 to the mix this year.
Now carry a Benelli 12 but will soon be carrying a 20 Benelli.
I think the 410 would be great for breaking in any new hunter. I know what a twenty does and vote for it.