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.410 for turkey

Chiflyguy

Chiflyguy

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I've seen a lot of talk, seen some videos.
I'm impressed.
Lugging around an 870 with a 28" barrel is getting old.
Any gun out there that patterns good with non TSS shells?
$8-10 a piece is too rich for my blood.
Now I do have a Stevens 311 .410 double my grandpa bought my late dad in 1953 for $10 from a bail bondsman on the south side of Chicago.
It's one of my prized possessions.
Would you give it a shot?
 
.410 with TSS #9s/9.5s/10s is beyond adequate out to 35-40 yards, with right choke and pattern density. .410 with lead 7.5s may work out to 25 yards or so, with right choke and pattern density. If you only shoot 1-2 turkeys annually, do not let $15 keep you from killing a turkey or two. Pattern and test before you hunt. My .02, good luck!
 
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Chiflyguy said:
I've seen a lot of talk, seen some videos.
I'm impressed.
Lugging around an 870 with a 28" barrel is getting old.
Any gun out there that patterns good with non TSS shells?
$8-10 a piece is too rich for my blood.
Now I do have a Stevens 311 .410 double my grandpa bought my late dad in 1953 for $10 from a bail bondsman on the south side of Chicago.
It's one of my prized possessions.
Would you give it a shot?
Click to expand...
Yes, if you can find 3"# 7 1/2 and limit your shots to 20 yds it'll killem all day long. My Mossberg factory full did fine on 3, all 1 shot kills. I used that same gun a lot squirrel dogging and shooting squirrels 60' and more high, trick was you gotta hold dead on'em almost rifle like.
 
Chiflyguy, I've got a book ( an excellent book) "Turkey hunting- a one man game" by Ken Morgan , who lived at Baton Rouge Louisiana. In that book he mentioned the 410 and said he had killed 6 gobblers with it , all 1 shot kills at ranges of 12,15,17,19,20 and 22 yards. The gun pictured looks like a Stevens or Savage 311 like yours. But back to the book, it should be in every turkey hunter's library. Publishing date was 1987.
 
if you're wanting to get some shells for a 410 that doesn't break the bank that do pretty good i would recommend the Winchester double x sportsmans outdoor superstore has them right now with a rebate for 9.99/ box and they pattern well from my stevens 301. but my gun really shines with Browning 410 TSS it's a 50 yard gun easy with it, I know. here's a pic of my gun with the double x. I wouldn't try it past 35 yards though (target is at 30 yards btw)
 

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tpgarrett21 said:
if you're wanting to get some shells for a 410 that doesn't break the bank that do pretty good i would recommend the Winchester double x sportsmans outdoor superstore has them right now with a rebate for 9.99/ box and they pattern well from my stevens 301. but my gun really shines with Browning 410 TSS it's a 50 yard gun easy with it, I know. here's a pic of my gun with the double x. I wouldn't try it past 35 yards though (target is at 30 yards btw)
Click to expand...
I'm thinking of a 301 for next year.
For the low cost, can't go wrong.
Better jump on it before it becomes the next H&R slug gun
 
Iglow said:
Chiflyguy, I've got a book ( an excellent book) "Turkey hunting- a one man game" by Ken Morgan , who lived at Baton Rouge Louisiana. In that book he mentioned the 410 and said he had killed 6 gobblers with it , all 1 shot kills at ranges of 12,15,17,19,20 and 22 yards. The gun pictured looks like a Stevens or Savage 311 like yours. But back to the book, it should be in every turkey hunter's library. Publishing date was 1987.
Click to expand...
Same gun.
Lot of memories
 
Chiflyguy said:
Not necessary but do appreciate the offer.
What do TSS have that's so special?
The shot?
Click to expand...


saltcreekammo.com

FAQs - Why TSS?

What is Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) and why is it so effective for hunting? The key to the superior performance of Super-18 shot is the density. At 18g/cc (about 60% denser than lead), the penetration energy is so high that it enables one to go down significantly in pellet size, to greatly...
saltcreekammo.com saltcreekammo.com
 
I shot two birds with a 410 last season. One at 25 yards and one at 35 yards did an unbelievable job. I'm using a Steven's 301 with factory choke tube and rouge TSS #9.5s pattern below is 40 yards. It was 124 pellets inside a 10 inch circle
 

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Chiflyguy said:
👍
Does anyone sell tungsten not $7-10 a shell?
Click to expand...
Probably not but your annual cost is gonna be $30 on the high end if you shoot 3 shells (1 to check poi and 2 if you kill 2 birds). I killed my first last year using a 20ga and TSS. Bird was 42 yards I think (originally 35ish but round wasn't chambered properly). Killed him graveyard dead. I'm as cheap as they come but it's worth the $30. If adding a scope shoot it with regular 2 3/4" shells to get it on then switch over. The first year will be the most expensive from a shell cost standpoint.
 
If you really don't want to spend $30-$50 a year on ammo, then I would advise against a .410. You can obviously kill a turkey with a .410 shooting lead, but it's going to be a 20-25 yard proposition. With tungsten, you can easily stretch one out to traditional 12 ga ranges.
 

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