Anyone still use a 10ga for turkey?

[mgray]

I grew up using a 12, now my kids are using a 20ga and a 410 for turkeys. I think any of these guns work fine, but I have a Browning BPS in 10 ga. I’ve shot a few turkeys with it, but now I’m curious about buying a turkey-specific choke and I found a company that makes a 3oz tss load. Seems excessive, but I think that’s what I’m after. Recoil seems like the only downside and I’m not too concerned about that. Anyone ever done the choke/tss combo in a 10?

 

[dtrkyman]

No experience with the 10 and TSS, but a 3 oz TSS load is a waste of about 1.5 oz of shot that is insanely valuable at current status.

In my opinion TSS is for sub gauge.

A 10 Ga with a turkey tube will get you 50 yards with lead 5s

Maybe check gobbler nation or old gobbler for any 10ga specs.

I would reckon tss in a 3oz load will get you 500 plus hits in the ten at 40 yards pretty easy and be a 70 yard gun all day with 9s and further with 8 or 8.5s, be a hell of a field hunting rig if you want to reach out.

9s run out of gas around 72 yards, not sure the numbers on 8s or 8.5 but 8s would approach 100 I bet?

So many custom hand loads available, I'm sure someone has some 10ga.

 

[mgray]

The ones I saw could be loaded with #6s. I feel like it would be throwing hammers at them. I understand it’s overkill for 90% of the shots I will likely take, but I’d be curious to see how far it would pattern.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I have a single shot, long barreled 10, can't even remember what brand, H&K maybe? It's in temp storage for awhile but I reached out on a huge gobbler at just south of 70 yards and he died. Of course, I slammed my head against the tree so hard I nearly knocked myself out. I should have learned at the range when something similar happened. I'm a slow learner.

 

[Kurts86]

My dad had a Remington SP-10 with a 20” barrel and rifle sights that was his go to turkey gun from the 1990’s until 2020 or so. It’s actually a fairly nice recoiling gun because it weighs 11 lbs but it’s miserable to carry around. I have a single box of 2.5 oz TSS loads for it and they pattern well but it’s not a modern system. Lighter guns, TSS with smaller payloads and red dots rule the day now and it won’t see use outside of pure nostalgia.

 

[dtrkyman]

Number 6 TSS? Getting into predator hunting size nearly! The stuff is just different than any other shot.

Check out Nitro company ammunition, they have a page of performance for their loads and chokes, definitely some 10ga stats and recommendations.

 

[bcv]

I like 10's. Hunted with one years ago.. but wouldn't waste TSS with a 10 gauge. All it takes is 1 pellet... I don't hate the wild turkey enough, even on long streaks of them making me look bad, to turn their head into strawberry preserves.

 

[eamyrick]

Hunting buddy who is in his 60s uses a cut down 10 gauge Browning Gold with TSS.

 

[Forestryguy]

Was just looking at BPS online this morning. I am mainly wanting to go to a 10-gauge for pellet count and for birds that hang up farther than I want them to. In timber, my thought is that there is a better chance of more pellets getting through when in thick areas. I have come to the conclusion that 3-inch shells are for 12 ga and 3.5-inch shells are for 10 ga. The last 2 birds I have shot at with 12-gauge, 3.5-inch shells, I have missed. I am pretty sure I know what kick is coming, and the weight of an 870 is not enough to tame it. The other upside of a 10 gauge is that, for the areas that are deemed non-toxic only, you do not have to go with expensive TSS, Hevi-shot, or Bismuth. Just need to find one that has been used and will not feel bad about cutting it down a bit more.

 

[UpTop]

I use a H&R single shot with a 30” barrel. Dad got it for me 30 years ago for a goose gun which I never used it for. Decided to put it to use for turkeys and it’s the only gun I’ll ever use turkey hunting. It’s a heavy chunk of steel and wood, and kicks like a pissed off mule, but I love it. I’ve got LOTS of other shotguns that are significantly nicer but this is the one for turkeys. I use 6 lead and it’s an absolute hammer. TSS is a bit silly in a 10 for Turkeys but so is a 10 so go for it I guess.

 

[TX 2 WA]

My buddy uses an 8 gauge.... pretty much because it's the only thing he can use it on. A little overkill, but he likes to show it off

 

[Jack321]

Seriously loving this thread! Lauging and chuckling at all your experiences!

I cant even fathom a 10ga with 3oz of TSS!

I have this vision of ya'll lookin like Jake Paul at his last fight with Anthony Joshua after touchin one off!

Before my state went to straight wall cartridges for deer, I used a 12ga Rem 11-87 with 1 oz slugs. I got busted on a 150 inch 10 pt right behind my stand that was 11 yds right behind my stand. Not wanting to make sudden movements,(like an idiot) I was able to get the gun stock UNDER my arm pit, not even in the shoulder picket I had to lower my head all kiddy-wampus to touch one off. Again, like an isiot, my 2-7x scope was on 7x power and I touched one off and ended up breaking my nose on the scope!

Got the buck tho!

Wife wasnt too happy with me in the immediate care clinic 2 hours later with the buck still in the truck bed. The doc was a hunter, said he woulda done the same thing. My wife just rolled her eyes as I showed the doc the buck still in the truck bed.

 

[777dogman]

I have a Remington 10 sps I carry as a guide gun. I only use hevishot 6 or blend in it. A little heavy but it has saved the day a few times and recoil is mitigated because of weight. TSS would be great for coyotes!

 

[mgray]

My buddy uses an 8 gauge.... pretty much because it's the only thing he can use it on. A little overkill, but he likes to show it off

Great, now I need to skip the 10 and go straight to an 8 ga.

 

[Sandhills]

I've shot two with my Spanish double.