mrbb

I fully dis agree with a 28 GA, they pack a punch, just less bb's
but have very close to power of a 12 ga, less recoil, lighter guns, and great for kids(adults too)
problem is more ammo related, not all places stock it
have a look at a chart that show's FPS and LBS of energy, and you can see its NO light weight on power, WAY better than a 410 and IMO< a better gun than a 20 for smaller shooters, due to most guns are lighter and again less recoil from all I have shot
carried many of them over the yrs for upland game birds across the USA
much more fun to me walking with a 5 lb gun than a 7+ lbs one ??

Strut&Rut

I never said a 28 gauge wasn't powerful, I said a .410 and 28 gauge are better for more experienced shooters. I see many experienced skeet shooters now carrying a 28ga for the fun & challenge.

However, a 28ga is not a large step up over the .410, and I would never recommend a 28ga for a youth. The patterns can be finicky and you won't use it at all for deer; unless its purchased as a dedicated shotshell-only gun, it's not a good hunting gauge.

The recoil on a 28ga is less with target load or 7 shot, but with a hot load (i.e., like a custom turkey load) they will kick like mules due to the light weight of the gun - and you will need a custom 2.75 load to confidently kill turkeys. A 28ga typically weighs 6lbs, my son's 20ga semi with synthetic stock weighs just under 6.5 with the red dot scope. I admit that a half pound can add up for a 9-12 year old, but most youngsters are sitting at a tree or in a blind (they aren't running and gunning at age 10), and my son uses a shooting stick. Thus, weight is only an issue when walking to setup, and if the adrenaline of a gobbling bird doesn't give him enough pep, then Dad can always help.

A 28ga needs custom loads for turkey or you seriously limit the effective killing range. If you ever plan on traveling out of your area to hunt with your son, get him a 20ga - you can find all types of shot and and slugs for 20ga everywhere (2 3/4 and 3in), whereas 28ga ammo (as mentioned) can be very difficult to find.

The recoil table below is from Chuck Hawks (http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm). All guns were pumps; a 20ga semi (with 3" turkey load) is about 20ft/lbs. Recoil from a 10ga is comparable with dangerous game loads for African elephants...

Gauge, length (oz. shot@MV) Gun weight (lbs.) Recoil energy (ft. lbs.)
.410 bore, 2.5" (1/2 at 1200) 5.5 7.1
.410 bore, 3" (11/16 at 1135) 5.5 10.5
28 gauge, 2.75" (3/4 at 1200) 6.0 12.8
20 gauge, 2.75" (7/8 at 1200) 6.5 16.1
20 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1220) 6.5 21.0
20 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1175) 6.5 25.0
20 gauge, 3" (1 1/4 at 1185) 6.5 31.0
16 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1220) 7.0 21.5
16 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1240) 7.0 27.6
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 at 1180) 7.5 17.3
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/8 at 1200) 7.5 23.0
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/4 at 1330) 7.5 32.0
12 gauge, 2.75" (1 1/2 at 1260) 7.5 45.0
12 gauge, 3" (1 5/8 at 1280) 7.5 52.0
12 gauge, 3" (1 7/8 at 1210) 8.75 54.0
10 gauge, 3.5" (2 1/4 at 1210) 10.5 62.9

Bocajnala

If they both looked like misses they probably were. He was probably watching the bird, and not focused on the sites and shot over it. A 20ga is the way to go however. I didn't get out today might be able to later this week though. Good luck if ya'll go again
-Jake

maytom

For turkey hunting, some people made the switch to a 20 gauge, but me personally, I would never shoot anything except a 12 gauge, and a 3" gun specifically. It's all about getting the maximum payload to your target. Some say it's the weight thing, but really, how much does a 12 gauge pump gun weigh? For what it's costing to try to "soup" up a 20, might as well stick with what works, as in a 12 gauge.

Now about youngsters just getting into hunting, a 20 gauge might fit them better recoil wise than a 12 gauge.

super_hunt54

Of all 5 of my kids that use a shotgun for anything, only 3 ever got into turkey hunting when they were little. The other 2 didn't "feel the love". Now all my boys were tough little farts and my oldest daughter was tougher than all 3 of my boys combined. They shudder when she gets pissed That being said, they all started with 20 gauges and most still use them to this day. My youngest daughter still uses her 20 for deer and turkey. The other kids have 12's but use their 20's more than them. To me anyway, a shotgun needs to fit even better than a rifle. Especially a birding gun. But with the heavier loads and more often than not your back is parked up against a tree, you don't want a shotgun in their hands that will crack a shoulder bone when pinned up against a tree while turkey hunting. A good auto loader 20 with some #4's and a good full choke is some seriously deadly medicine for turkey and not a whole hell of a lot of recoil. Especially if fitted properly. I personally take a little Browning Citori .410 for rabbits with my dogs. Lot less chance of an accidental pellet hitting one of my speedster mutts if they are closer than I thought. Don't like picking pellets out of my dogs. They have teeth and not afraid to let me know they are mad at me

RaySendero

Which ever gauge you decide on - Try these type turkey targets.
It will help teach to aim for neck instead of head.
Plus you'll get to see the where and how many shot really hits vitals.

My particular gun is off 1/2 width of the front left. Would not have known that without practice patterning.

Tominator lll

Killing turkey does not require a ton of power! what is required is to get a pellet in the neck or better yet the head. It only requires around 6 FT LB of energy to cleanly dispatch a turkey.
A 410 if legal is more than enough if you mind the distance. Inside 30 yards, no problem. The idea that a big bore 12G is required way is over blown. I have seen turkeys shot and killed with a Crossman C02 .22 with a clean head shot. Matter of fact in CA they now allow turkey hunting with a pellet gun. With cal as low as .117. Todays modern air guns using 18/30n FT LB of muzzle energy is a great tool for the job. It requires a good clean head shot. Drops them like a rock! Now i can see your eyes just a rolling. Ck out you tube. See for yourself. Hunting larger game using lighter equipment is like big game fishing on light tackle.
Its requires a higher level of skill. No cheap over powered shots from a big bore.

You either make a clean kill or a miss. Many less crippled birds.

Tominator lll

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Strut&Rut

The discussion wasn't about a gun for turkeys - the original poster was asking which gun to get for kids/youth hunting.

I personally can't justify a 10yo using a gun that requires a high degree of marksmanship, especially when some of these kids (my own son included) have enough trouble holding a shotgun steady enough to kill birds with shot due to nerves, adrenaline, and etc..

Cool pic though, and definitely a concept that some of us more experienced hunters could consider (if allowed by your state)...

Tominator lll

I agree the post was about a youth gun. But there was some talk about if a said choice could kill a turkey. I guess I was making the point. The 410 if patternes well could do the job IMHO. Having said that. My then 10 year old daughter killed her first turkey @ 40 yards with a CO2 pellet gun. Head shot. I taught her young how to shoot and handle a weapon.
She out shoots many grown men to this day.
Untitled by dagwodzz, on Flickr
Untitled by dagwodzz, on Flickr