[Henry347]

Just put the order in on a Stevens 301 Thumbhole Turkey in 410. Been watching for the Thumbhole model to pop up and it finally did. Been reading and watching videos on the 410's shooting tss and I'm impressed. Seems a lot of people is loving those little 410's. If anybody is using a 410 post up the choke and shell options you've got the best results with.

The season opens April 15th and I'm looking forward to hunting with that little 410.

 

[Jbuck]

IL. requires the gauge to be no smaller than 20ga. for turkey. Good luck with the little 410 bore, I have never used TSS but if it works out I think you will have one light, fast handling turkey gun in the Stevens.

 

[Henry347]

If I can get the patterns I've seen on YouTube I'll be tickled. Local gun shop had the federal tss for $30 a box so grabbed up two boxes to try out when the gun comes in. Now to decide which reflex sight I want to put on it.

Did read on a couple forums that that supplied choke patterns good for some and others not so much. The gun was built to shoot the federal tss so I'm hoping it's the latter and it patterns good with the factory choke. Everybody praises the Apex TSS but it doubles in price from what I've seen.

 

[Luckydawg13]

IL. requires the gauge to be no smaller than 20ga. for turkey. Good luck with the little 410 bore, I have never used TSS but if it works out I think you will have one light, fast handling turkey gun in the Stevens.

I was thinking this too good luck with the little 410.

 

[Herbhome]

Never even thought about trying one on turkey but I tore up many squirrels and even used it on deer with slugs. The one I liked best was a double barrel side by side. Also my very first gun was a .22/.410 over and under. Rarely ever shot the .410 as shells were higher than .22s.

 

[River_monster91]

That #9 tss is bad medicine. My buddy outfits, his go to turkey gun is a single shot .410 with a reddot. And the tss shot, i shoot a 20 with the longbeard xr from winchester through a carlsons xr choke.

 

[D schuerenberg]

I started with my uncle's Stevens single barrel 410. Another uncle had a Winchester model 42 loved that gun. squirrel killer

 

[Fat_channel]

Pattern the gun, TSS is almost 40% denser than magnum lead, so #9 is still denser than # 6 lead shot, I've see video's of them pattern 12ga and would pattern good at 75 yards. (to far for me)
Here in Missouri it okay to use a 410, and TSS.
I hunt on public land so non-toxic shot is a must.
It will make a good lite Turkey gun, good hunting

 

[River_monster91]

Pattern the gun, TSS is almost 40% denser than magnum lead, so #9 is still denser than # 6 lead shot, I've see video's of them pattern 12ga and would pattern good at 75 yards. (to far for me)
Here in Missouri it okay to use a 410, and TSS.
I hunt on public land so non-toxic shot is a must.
It will make a good lite Turkey gun, good hunting

You have to use non toxic for turkeys as well?

 

[Luckydawg13]

Never even thought about trying one on turkey but I tore up many squirrels and even used it on deer with slugs. The one I liked best was a double barrel side by side. Also my very first gun was a .22/.410 over and under. Rarely ever shot the .410 as shells were higher than .22s.

That 22/410 savage was my favorite

 

[Hunter62]

30 bucks a box, that is cheap, $40 to $45 for 410 TSS here in the STL area

 

[D schuerenberg]

Been a long time since I used a 410 what's the max load? Half oz 5/8 number 6 ?

 

[Henry347]

The Federal TSS I got is 13/16oz #9's, looks like some of the other TSS loads is 7/8oz loads in 9.5 and 9 shot. The .410 is legal here in TN as well, if all goes well with the 410 I'll probably pass on the 301 12 gauge for Eric to use. It's a good shooting gun with Long Beard XR.

 

[Jbuck]

Good luck with it Henry, let us know how it patterned. I read on a hunting forum that it takes approximately the same energy to penetrate a piece of 1/2" sheet rock as it does a turkey neck and head. Their theory being, find the range your turkey loads quit penetrating the sheet rock subtract 10 yards and you will have the effective range of your shot. The biggest issue IMO is the price of TSS, pattering different shot size, brands, and chokes then sighting in the red dot eats up a fair amount of shells. After that I could stand it as I only take two birds per season and have never shot at one more than once. If you have time post some of your patterning pictures.

 

[Henry347]

I'll post up some pictures when I get everything in. I'm hoping it's like some others and the factory xfull choke patterns the tss well. From what I've read and watched the Indian Creek choke is a popular choice for 410 guns but not looking to spend $100 on choke. Didn't even pay that for the Jellyhead Maximum in my 12 Gauge.

Have watched some videos on tss vs lead penetration in ballistic gell and looks like the tss penetrates a few more inches than regular lead shot.

The cost could get expensive quick, especially if anybody was trying different chokes and brands of ammo. Fingers crossed it'll do what I want at 40 with the Federal TSS and factory choke. I'll use birdshot to sight in with then fire off a couple the tss loads. Will probably still have to make a few small adjustments but figured it be better to get it on paper with the cheap stuff firsts. Once sighted in the price wouldn't be to bad from there on.

Only allowed two birds here in TN as well, was three for the last few years then they dropped it to two this season.

 

[cspot]

I have the same gun in a 20 gauge (no Thumbhole) and I love it. IT patterned great with the #9 TSS. Only downside is the cost of the ammo. The gun is a great price as you don't have to go buy a separate choke.

 

[D schuerenberg]

I stopped hunting about the time 3 and half inch shells were getting popular never heard of using number 9 for anything but doves and quail I liked 7.5 6s for rabbits and squirrel 4 for turkey

 

[cspot]

I stopped hunting about the time 3 and half inch shells were getting popular never heard of using number 9 for anything but doves and quail I liked 7.5 6s for rabbits and squirrel 4 for turkey

TSS has higher density than lead. This translates into the smaller shot like #9 has the same penetration or better penetration than #5 lead shot. Since this allows smaller shot you get alot more pellets in the same size load which makes the pattern better. If you use the TSS is someting like the 20 gauge it allows you the same range as a 12 with the 3.5" shells. It also makes the .410 a viable option for turkey. The downside is the shells are gagging in price.

 

[River_monster91]

If you want some hammers reload some bismuth. Believe its ecen denser than tungsten. Honker hammers.

 

[Fat_channel]

You have to use non toxic for turkeys as well?

Yes, I use a 12 ga. Winchester NWTF with Fed 3" TSS it's a 1-3/4 oz at 1200 fps, #9 shot, it does have a little kick to it.