Question about Turkey Hunting
07-15-2022, 08:24 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 6
Question about Turkey Hunting
Hey folks, I'm looking at getting into turkey hunting this fall and know very little about shotguns aside from what research I've been able to do online so sorry if this is a dumb question. I own a Mossberg 500 All purpose Field 410. and was planning on using it this season...I'm just curious if this would be a suitable gun to take turkey with? From what I understand it's a fixed full choke meaning I could not attach a turkey choke to it, correct? Would the shot pattern be too wide or would I have to shoot within a certain distance? Or would I need to look into buying another barrel that would accommodate a choke? Thanks for any input!
07-15-2022, 05:34 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,370
The firearm is fine to use. But check your state regulations.
Pattern at 20 yards using a turkey head target. Google that there is free targets
I use a revolver with 9.5 TSS shot in a 3 inch 410 round. I have 25 yards with that in a hand gun.
Your goal is to get that turkey at the range your firearm.patterns well and stick to it.
JW
Pattern at 20 yards using a turkey head target. Google that there is free targets
I use a revolver with 9.5 TSS shot in a 3 inch 410 round. I have 25 yards with that in a hand gun.
Your goal is to get that turkey at the range your firearm.patterns well and stick to it.
JW
07-16-2022, 05:36 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern wv
Posts: 3,410
Get an indian creek, or Jebs turkey choke for your shotgun, and TSS ammo (Nitro Ammunition co. makes a 410 turkey load with 53/64ths of TSS) you should be able to have a killing pattern to 35+ yards.
edited to add
just looked up your gun, it is a fixed choke, would do ok, however if you had a smith alter it for screw in chokes and ran a extended turkey choke for turkey hunting it would extend your range. then for other purposes you could change out the chokes.
edited to add
just looked up your gun, it is a fixed choke, would do ok, however if you had a smith alter it for screw in chokes and ran a extended turkey choke for turkey hunting it would extend your range. then for other purposes you could change out the chokes.
Last edited by Ridge Runner; 07-16-2022 at 05:44 AM.
07-16-2022, 05:01 PM
#4
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location:
Posts: 494
Originally Posted by Ridge Runner
Get an indian creek, or Jebs turkey choke for your shotgun, and TSS ammo (Nitro Ammunition co. makes a 410 turkey load with 53/64ths of TSS) you should be able to have a killing pattern to 35+ yards.
edited to add
just looked up your gun, it is a fixed choke, would do ok, however if you had a smith alter it for screw in chokes and ran a extended turkey choke for turkey hunting it would extend your range. then for other purposes you could change out the chokes.
edited to add
just looked up your gun, it is a fixed choke, would do ok, however if you had a smith alter it for screw in chokes and ran a extended turkey choke for turkey hunting it would extend your range. then for other purposes you could change out the chokes.
09-26-2022, 02:17 AM
#6
Spike
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 19
Using a gun is safe. However, check your state's laws. A 20-yard pattern of turkey head targets. Search for free destinations on Google. I shoot 9.5 TSS shots with a 3 inch 410 cartridge in my revolver. You can shoot a pistol from 25 meters away. Your target is the turkey in the shooting range. The pattern is correct and consistent.
09-26-2022, 03:20 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,210
Although it is apparently quite possible to successfully hunt turkeys with a properly outfitted .410, the guys who answered your questions are experienced turkey hunters. And, while it might be the case, I doubt any of them started out turkey hunting with a .410. It does limit your capabilities a great deal. You may want to consider going with a larger gauge shotgun to begin with.
12-13-2022, 03:51 PM
#9
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 5
just looked up your gun, it is a fixed choke, would do ok, however if you had a smith alter it for screw in chokes and ran a extended turkey choke for turkey hunting it would extend your range. then for other purposes you could change out the chokes.
12-14-2022, 04:20 AM
#10
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: south eastern PA
Posts: 14,707
I am going to be the one who says it. A novice hunter would be better served if they used a more suitable caliber for hunting turkeys and so would be the turkeys, It is one thing when you are experienced to use a sub caliber shot to hunt, it is something else entirely to do it when you are not experienced. The saying "use enough gun", coined I believe by Robert Ruark, is appropriate in this situation. A decent shotgun can be purchased for not a whole lot of money and it would be suitable for many species of game. This is not a post being critical of the OP, she was asking for advice because she didn't know, however I do not believe as experienced hunters we should be encouraging new hunters to use a firearm that for a well seasoned experience hunter may be sufficient but for a novice is not. For the record I started hunting with a .410 which in my opinion is the worst possible choice for a beginner.
