.410 Turkey Load - Older Gun

[Lytro]

I'm not huge into turkey hunting, but have been picking up a tag the past few seasons since I go out hiking for sheds quite a bit in April. Merriam's are pretty dumb and have been fairly easy to spot and stalk. I've used my O/U 12 gauge with TSS the last two years and killed two birds, but it's not really a gun I like to strap to a pack or carry around for miles.

I have an old pre-WWII Stevens bolt action .410 that would fit in my pack well, and I think would be cool to get a turkey with. Does anyone have any recommendations on ammo? The gun will take 3" shells. I'm assuming it would probably be best to go with an all lead shot since the barrel is over 80 years old?

 

[Swamppirate]

Yes, I would stay with lead. TSS is a very, very hard shot and would probably have a detrimental affect on the old girl. Maybe take a look at the Winchester Double X 3” #71/2’s.

 

[Jack321]

I just bought some bismuth loads from these guys:

.410

.410

www.rstshells.com

Bismuth should work fine in your gun as it's softer than other loads. However it's #7 shot bismuth, gotta get em in close!

Otherwise I'd recommend lead as the next best bet.

 

[dtrkyman]

I patterned a few lead loads through a couple .410, pathetic is the first thing that comes to mind. 25 yards will be starting to stretch it!

I couldn't believe how terrible the patterns were, though I have killed a truck load of pheasant with the O/U.

 

[Tod osier]

I'm not huge into turkey hunting, but have been picking up a tag the past few seasons since I go out hiking for sheds quite a bit in April. Merriam's are pretty dumb and have been fairly easy to spot and stalk. I've used my O/U 12 gauge with TSS the last two years and killed two birds, but it's not really a gun I like to strap to a pack or carry around for miles.

I have an old pre-WWII Stevens bolt action .410 that would fit in my pack well, and I think would be cool to get a turkey with. Does anyone have any recommendations on ammo? The gun will take 3" shells. I'm assuming it would probably be best to go with an all lead shot since the barrel is over 80 years old?

A 410 isn't much of a turkey gun unless shooting tss.

 

[hobbes]

I would call and discuss the option of TSS with someone that has extensive experience with it. In a 410 load you'll likely be shooting 9, 9.5, or 10 shot. This small shot is not as detrimental as trying to shoot TSS the size of say a #4. In addition, all handloads that I'm aware of include not only the wad but mylar that should provide some protection.

I would call Brice at Fox Trot Ammo, Hal with Tungsten Super shot web site, or Tommy Duliba ( Shooter on Gobblernation). These guys know TSS backwards and forwards and have developed and pressure tested load after load.

If I was buying a 410 TSS round, it would be a 383 Stroker from Brice at Foxtrot Ammo.

 

[Lytro]

A 410 isn't much of a turkey gun unless shooting tss.

25 yards will be starting to stretch it!

It's going in my pack so I can go after some turkeys while hiking for sheds if an opportunity presents itself. Merriams are extremely dumb and the terrain is steep wooded hills. I've snuck into less than 10 yards on a lot of birds out there, so I think I'm just going to give some lead shot I already have a try.

The 12 ga with TSS will be in the truck if I come across any birds going in or out. I end up hiking about 15 miles a day and won't be toting around an O/U all day. I'd use my bow if I was going out solely to sit and call.

 

[dtrkyman]

It will surely do the job up close, I highly suggest shooting it at a large paper target and see were your pattern hits in relation to your aim point!

Good luck.

 

[RunNGunSC]

My daughter just took her first turkey shooting apex ninja .410 shells. They are 9.5 shot, pattern great and blasted him.

 

[Lytro]

3” Remington lead 5 shot worked just fine.

 

[gerry35]

Beautiful bird, how far away were you?

 

[Lytro]

Beautiful bird, how far away were you?

Only about 10 yards.

 

[MT-nuffgun]

My daughter shot a gobbler with the 3” Remington 5 shot lead using the same bolt action stevens .410. The shot was 14 yards. the Remington load patterned well enough out to 25 yards, but fell apart by 30.

 

[Swamppirate]

My daughter just took her first turkey shooting apex ninja .410 shells. They are 9.5 shot, pattern great and blasted him.

I shoot the Apex Ninja 8.5 in 20 ga. They are awesome….

 

[gerry35]

My daughter shot a gobbler with the 3” Remington 5 shot lead using the same bolt action stevens .410. The shot was 14 yards. the Remington load patterned well enough out to 25 yards, but fell apart by 30.View attachment 542187

Judging from all those feathers on the ground looks like she hammered him pretty good!

 

[Lytro]

My daughter shot a gobbler with the 3” Remington 5 shot lead using the same bolt action stevens .410. The shot was 14 yards. the Remington load patterned well enough out to 25 yards, but fell apart by 30.

Yep, looks like the same gun. I picked mine up from a gun show in NM about 10 years ago for $60.

 

[PurpleDriver]

For a $60 gun, I’d say try the TSS. Sure it MAY scar the soft smoothbore barrel, but does it have an open choke. TSS typically works better with less choke and a ton of old 410s are full choke.

 

[jklund38]

I have been really happy with BOSS bismuth shot in my 410