Stevens 301 + .410 TSS + Red Dots for Turkey

[dr.mooseknuckles]

2nd Season for the Stevens.
It has rusted some on the barrel, but not a big deal to me. It's a $200 gun, and while I understand everyone's budget is different, it's a $200 gun I bought somewhat for myself, but mostly for my kids. It will get beat up and abused. Thinking about getting it cerakoted for fun one day.

Patterned fantastically with the Federal TSS #9s with factory choke. I went with the included Pic Rail and placed a Vortex Venom on it.

Didn't kill a bird with it last year, so I'll be interested in seeing how it does. My time is limited to hunt turkeys now with 3 kids and on national forest, it's quite easy for me to walk 7-8 miles per day. That's mainly why I picked it up. Put a $16 pad/shell carrier on it that zips and will hold 8 extra shells, think it was a OneTigris??? Got off Amazon.

 

[Marshfly]

I bought a 301 with the thumbhole stock. Put a Bushnell TRS-125 on it. It patterns great with the stock choke and Apex TSS 9.5. I like the Thumbhole stock a lot. I have zero issues with cheek weld with this setup and I normally like my scopes pretty low.

Our season opens next week and I have quite a few birds located in the area I'm hunting so hopefully I can give a full report then.

 

[WCB]

I bought my daughter the Rossi. Absolutely no complaints about it for what it is. Daughter killed her first bird 1 week before her 5th b-day (#24 10" Tom) at 30 yards dead as a door nail. It is such a light little thing I took it a week later for myself and killed my bird at 35-38yards again stone dead. It will be my go to Turkey gun from now on. Patterned really well to 40yards with Federal TSS #9. (if you cant kill a turkey 40yds and under take up another hobby)

Gun was only out 3 total mornings so haven't had it get rained on or anything. It did get set down in the damp grass. Just pulled it out of the safe last week... no rust. IDK what to say about the rusting...wipe it down and have a good coat of rust protectant on it before hand?

I have a Bushnell TRS-125 on it or similar? It was a prototype preproduction given to me at work.

-useless safety - it only prevents the hammer from being cocked by does nothing once the hammer is cocked

Might want to contact Rossi on that. Mine works to either stop it from being cocked or firing once cocked.

 

[Skydog]

Henry and CVA also offer some nice single shots, although they do cost significantly more than the Stevens...

Anyone have any experience with either of these?

Scout Spur

bpioutdoors.com

Single Shot Turkey Camo Shotgun | Henry Repeating Arms

What is the most critical factor when choosing a shotgun for turkey hunting? Confidence. When you finally call that bird into range, you must be confident that the shotgun in your hands will bark when you squeeze the trigger and put as much payload as possible right where you need it. The Henry...

www.henryusa.com

 

[dtrkyman]

In my opinion the purpose of a sub gauge gun is for the lighter weight, that Spur may well be the best quality but it is as heavy as many 12ga guns.

I do not even consider a 20ga unless it is less than 5.5lbs, that is my preference and yours may well be different?

The Rossi .410 is less than 4lbs, the 20ga less than 5, good luck finding a 20ga, maybe able to come up with a .410?

 

[Skydog]

In my opinion the purpose of a sub gauge gun is for the lighter weight, that Spur may well be the best quality but it is as heavy as many 12ga guns.

I do not even consider a 20ga unless it is less than 5.5lbs, that is my preference and yours may well be different?

The Rossi .410 is less than 4lbs, the 20ga less than 5, good luck finding a 20ga, maybe able to come up with a .410?

My purpose for moving from a 12 gauge to a .410 bore is recoil reduction. I need to minimize recoil as much as possible due to neck/shoulder issues. So, in my case, more weight is actually an advantage.

The Stevens is 5.07 lbs., the Spur is 6.7 lbs. and the Henry is 6.73 lbs. So, a 1.7 lb. difference between those 3 options.

I have no interest in the Rossi...it's a bit too light for my tastes, and I don't care for the thumbhole stock, the color/looks of the gun, etc. Just my personal preference.

I'll most likely end up with the Stevens or the Henry.

 

[dtrkyman]

I would Imagine the Spur would have virtually zero recoil!


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[juju]

I'd put those on a scale before getting too invested in what they may weigh.

If I were interested in low recoil, I would consider the 20ga Beretta A300 with kick-off. I have an A400 12ga with that stock. Towards the end of dove season my shoulder used to get stiff and pinch. That kick-off cured that.

 

[Marshfly]

I bought a 301 with the thumbhole stock. Put a Bushnell TRS-125 on it. It patterns great with the stock choke and Apex TSS 9.5. I like the Thumbhole stock a lot. I have zero issues with cheek weld with this setup and I normally like my scopes pretty low.

Our season opens next week and I have quite a few birds located in the area I'm hunting so hopefully I can give a full report then.

My .410 got a Montana Merriam down opening morning without much fuss. Pretty happy with the sub $300 turkey slayer, despite the $7.50 a pop ammo...

 

[vondiii]

I picked up a Stevens in .410 and added a red dot, cheek riser, pattern master turkey. Gave it a rattle can paint job and have been super happy with it. Shoot federal tss 9's and on the one turkey I shot with it last year worked great!

 

[Bluefish]

Henry and CVA also offer some nice single shots, although they do cost significantly more than the Stevens...

Anyone have any experience with either of these?

Scout Spur

bpioutdoors.com

Single Shot Turkey Camo Shotgun | Henry Repeating Arms

What is the most critical factor when choosing a shotgun for turkey hunting? Confidence. When you finally call that bird into range, you must be confident that the shotgun in your hands will bark when you squeeze the trigger and put as much payload as possible right where you need it. The Henry...

www.henryusa.com

I have a cva scout. Nice little gun. Took a turkey with it last fall and have been hunting this spring without any luck. While it’s not quite as nice as my T/C single shots, for less than a barrel, I have a complete shotgun.

 

[Honyock]

Stevens 301 410, stock choke and Apex Ninja TSS smoked this one at 50 yards this afternoon. Bang but no flop, he was stone dead.

 

[Casinocow]

This will my first year turkey hunting. While doing research I came across this thread and a few videos discussing these .410 turkey guns. Is the allure of the .410 the weight savings and reduced kick? I’m planning on using my 12ga Benelli Nova that try’s to dislocate my shoulder every chance it gets with a turkey round. Either way appreciate the input you guys have and will look to pick up a .410 sometime this year for small game and turkeys.

 

[Bluefish]

This will my first year turkey hunting. While doing research I came across this thread and a few videos discussing these .410 turkey guns. Is the allure of the .410 the weight savings and reduced kick? I’m planning on using my 12ga Benelli Nova that try’s to dislocate my shoulder every chance it gets with a turkey round. Either way appreciate the input you guys have and will look to pick up a .410 sometime this year for small game and turkeys.

Both. A little lighter and a lot less kick. No need to carry a 8 lb gun and suffer the recoil of big turkey loads, although it’s only a few shots, so cumulative recoil is not much of an issue. At $7+ a round, I am not shooting much 410. Even regular shells are almost $1/round for 410. I really need to reload 410 as it should be one of the cheapest gauges to load.

 

[juju]

This will my first year turkey hunting. While doing research I came across this thread and a few videos discussing these .410 turkey guns. Is the allure of the .410 the weight savings and reduced kick? I’m planning on using my 12ga Benelli Nova that try’s to dislocate my shoulder every chance it gets with a turkey round. Either way appreciate the input you guys have and will look to pick up a .410 sometime this year for small game and turkeys.

Weight saving only. You can get a light load for any gauge to reduce recoil. The cost of lightweight is a smaller pattern and somewhat finicky shells.

You.can get a 1.25 oz 12ga TSS load which will be pleasant to shoot and easier to get along with than .410.

 

[Luked]

The more and more I look and read stuff on the .410 the more I want one.
Our season starts monday so dont think ill do it this year. But next season ill probably be carrying a .410 with me.
Have one in the safe that is an old .410 pump that my dad bought me years ago to rabbit hunt with as he was a huge hounds hunter for rabbits.
Since he passed 17 years ago the thing hasn't been shot. So I'm going to look into having it threaded and choked and if I can ill probably just use it.

 

[juju]

The more and more I look and read stuff on the .410 the more I want one.
Our season starts monday so dont think ill do it this year. But next season ill probably be carrying a .410 with me.
Have one in the safe that is an old .410 pump that my dad bought me years ago to rabbit hunt with as he was a huge hounds hunter for rabbits.
Since he passed 17 years ago the thing hasn't been shot. So I'm going to look into having it threaded and choked and if I can ill probably just use it.

Tungsten pellets score bores and bang up chokes. You can use a stout wad and add a mylar liner, but the occasional pellet will still get loose and score the bore.

 

[TravisIN]

His was 40, mine was 45. Dumped them both. Factory stock, apex tss, ugg ref flex sight off amazon. Things a killer and under 300 for the whole setup. Perfect Turkey gun that you’re not afraid to abuse.


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[yoopshoot]

I’d have to admit I was skeptical when I bought my 301 .410. Initially bought it for my 8 year old son to use with prejudiced max range of 20-25 yards. However after seeing the lethality of apex ninja tss on his first bird 3 years ago, I started using it and my benelli nova 12 ga has been collecting dust.
Over the last 3 years we’ve knocked down 6 birds between him and I, and without hesitation I will continue to use it. Kills have been from 12-42 yards. I just put a cheap truglo red dot on it and that’s it . Good luck !


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[WoodDuck]

This will my first year turkey hunting. While doing research I came across this thread and a few videos discussing these .410 turkey guns. Is the allure of the .410 the weight savings and reduced kick? I’m planning on using my 12ga Benelli Nova that try’s to dislocate my shoulder every chance it gets with a turkey round. Either way appreciate the input you guys have and will look to pick up a .410 sometime this year for small game and turkeys.

Another benefit is reduced muzzle blast. I haven’t experienced ear ringing when shooting the .410.