What is with adults using youth guns to hunt turkeys?
- Thread starter Doskil
- Start date
Coop87
Active Member
Santa brought me a youth 870 20 ga over 20 years ago and it got a lot of use. Later received a Browning Gold so the 870 never got much use. After moving to TN, I wanted to get into turkey hunting for many reasons. I figured that youth model would make a good turkey gun hiking through TN woods. Searching the internet for chokes made me realize how popular these guns are now. I imagine many others had same idea and it started catching on. For the ones questioning or hating it's like the old saying, "Don't knock it til you try it". It's amazing what this little gun can do along with its durability.
Bgoodman30
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2016
- Messages
- 2,491
Man this made me laugh and as someone who doesn't fly fish slightly attacked..
I can kind of see your comparison though it reminds me of this snooty old man response when I was telling him about a tarpon I landed on the gulf coast "ahem but did you catch him on fly...?" When turkey hunters start saying "but did you use a .410?" I'm out lol.
Is the committee on here that decides what gun you can turkey or deer hunt with elected or appointed? I never knew you needed approval.
I am a large adult and full time guide. I have been using youth .20 gauge guns for almost 20 years. I have red dot scopes and mostly use heavi-shot shells. My clients have taken over 100 birds using these set ups. Love them!
Drawbacks are minor. Small and easy to forget where they are on your back crossing creeks or ducking limbs...other than that I believe they are the best "thing" I have added to my trips. I do carry a 12 "full size" and have it available in case the clients don't believe in the other set ups
Drawbacks are minor. Small and easy to forget where they are on your back crossing creeks or ducking limbs...other than that I believe they are the best "thing" I have added to my trips. I do carry a 12 "full size" and have it available in case the clients don't believe in the other set ups
Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission
Information about the Tennessee Fish & Wildlife Commission. Commissioners are non-salaried public servants who spend countless hours corresponding with constituents within assigned districts.
www.tn.gov
Last edited:
I agree 100%, growing up I was the chunky kid, the neighbor that took me hunting and showed me the ropes was the All American Badass Marine and had me shooting a Remington 600 in 350Rem Mag. Quite a lot for a 12 year old in my opinion these days although I'd love to have that gun. (He has since passed on)I almost posted this same comparison but didn't want to dirty the waters anymore than they already are. Should we all be shooting .300 Win Mags? Sure, a .243 or 7mm-08 or 6.5CM will kill them just as dead with less weight and recoil, but those are wuss guns.
Since I've hunted with a 7Mag and 300 win mag but did finally come to my senses and love the little 7-08 as dead is dead is dead.
Plus much easier to tote around.
As for turkey, I remember everyone going with the 10Ga, I always went with my 870 shooting 3.5's, now my 870 20Ga is the favorite. That is until this past Friday. My girlfriend bid/purchased a Benelli M2 20Ga at a DU banquet with the FFii and has enhancements from Rob Roberts.
All is all, each should shoot what they choose to shoot and like.
RoyalPrudent
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 2,521
and I have to believe there will be lost birds because of this bull, but no one will ever come back here and admit it.Man this made me laugh and as someone who doesn't fly fish slightly attacked..
I can kind of see your comparison though it reminds me of this snooty old man response when I was telling him about a tarpon I landed on the gulf coast "ahem but did you catch him on fly...?" When turkey hunters start saying "but did you use a .410?" I'm out lol.
Just like there will be lost birds to lead from a 12 gauge and no one will come back here and admit it.
If you aren't willing to see the science behind TSS, just continue to live in the 1990s and be happy.
RoyalPrudent
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 2,521
More TSS is downrange is better than less though right?
Will be more birds injured and lost from macho man with his 3.5 trying to kill birds at 80 yards, than the guys who tote the 410 and know their limits
RoyalPrudent
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 2,521
What about 410 that don't know their limits?
Numerically though, you're absolutely right. I'm not a big fan of either of those negative scenarios...
Yes, 543 #9 TSS pellets from a 20g is better than 450 #6 lead pellets from a 12g.
RoyalPrudent
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2020
- Messages
- 2,521
Agreed. I already said I have abolutely nothing against the 20's.
If they dont know than they shouldnt be carrying either one! Just me if he doesn't break 40 no matter what im carrying he wins to play another round!
Till now anyone who shot a .410 at turkeys was either a youth hunter or someone who is pretty knowledgeable. Either way, they probably stick to the gun's limits.
But .410's are now marketed to the public by the likes of Bass Pro and friends. Will be interesting to see if there's any change in who buys them.
But .410's are now marketed to the public by the likes of Bass Pro and friends. Will be interesting to see if there's any change in who buys them.
You said that you have a problem with the 28g and they have 477 shot (Apex) in comparison to lead count of 450 (2oz of 6s). Are you backtracking on that statement as well?
Excluding honest mistakes, which we aren't talking about here, one thing causes turkeys to die without being recovered: unethical shots. And it doesn't matter if you are shooting lead, TSS, Hevishot, or steel duck loads out of a .410 or a punt gun. Not patterning your gun with the load you plan to use and limiting your shots to a reasonable effective range of that load are the problem. I don't know why this is so hard to understand. I had a guy tell me 20 years ago his 10 gauge would put 150 pellets in a 10 inch circle at 80 yards. I guess any birds he crippled shooting lead at 80 yards was the fault of a .410 and/or TSS which wasn't even available then.
I'm sure folks use tss from a 410 at 80 yards
It is deadlier at longer ranges than lead or steel
There is nothing unethical about shooting a turkey past 40 yards if you can drop them dead (with a shotgun and fine shot)
In some states you can use rifles, pistols or slugs and don't have to worry about which shot will drop a turkey at 50-100 yards
