collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: .410 for turkey?  (Read 2578 times)

Offline Wetwoodshunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1348
  • Location: Sekiu & Goldendale, WA
.410 for turkey?
« on: January 12, 2026, 04:25:21 PM »
I was thinking about hunting the youth season this year with my 7 year old son. I have a single shot pardner model .410 with a full choke that he could use. Would this gun and setup work? Would tss damage the barrel like steel shot through a full choke?

Offline jrebel

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+25)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 11550
  • Location: East Wenatchee
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2026, 04:41:41 PM »
We have killed many a turkey with .410.  Practice, practice, practice!!!  Keeps shots to reasonable ranges and go get a bird.   :tup:

Online Kingofthemountain83

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2023
  • Posts: 906
  • Location: Puyallup
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2026, 05:04:16 PM »
I've killed two turkey with a the same exact 410 in my 30's... One was 37 yards with 3" lead #5's... The other 24 yards... Same load... I used the same thing for pheasant...
I love you... I really do...

Offline EnglishSetter

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2024
  • Posts: 703
  • Location: Winlock
  • Groups: NRA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2026, 05:15:44 PM »
All depends.  Growing up in CA it was rare to see a turkey.  Before I left, you could use a slingshot or pellet gun.  So most certainly a  410 will kill a turkey in the right conditions.

TSS has made smallbores competitors. 

I'd research a bit on the choke situation, but my gut tells me it'd be fine with such small shot.

Offline wadu1

  • Grumpy
  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+32)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 7380
  • Location: Tacoma
  • RMEF, DU, NRA, PFE, NWTF
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2026, 06:29:51 PM »
Should be no problem at all. I would do what @jrebel said practice practice. I know @Russ McDonald swears by them with TSX. I would not use steel only lead or TSX.
"a fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi"

Offline lewy

  • Forum Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 4071
  • Location: buckley
  • IBEW RMEF WSTA WCO NRA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2026, 06:42:14 PM »
Keep the shots close they aren’t exactly a hammer
Go hawks

Offline millerwheeler

  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 1531
  • Location: Spanaway
  • Get out and put some miles on those boots
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2026, 06:58:30 PM »
Both my boys started with single shot .410 get a good choke and some
Proper rounds no issue just not as much range is all

Offline brokentrail

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+7)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2016
  • Posts: 676
  • Location: Graham, WA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2026, 07:12:51 PM »
I would just suggest patterning it with the turkey load you plan to use.  I have that same .410 and unfortunately for me, mine shoots horrible, almost like it has no choke at all, yet it is stamped as a full.  I have owned it since new, so I know what has been shot through it, which was minimal lead loads before I realized how bad it patterned.  It just sits in the safe now.

Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

  • Lost Somewhere on the Praire of Klickitat Co. Chasing The Elusive BENCHLEG DEERS.
  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 8181
  • Location: Lyle WA, 98635
  • Yep, my avatar is from my front porch. #2835
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2026, 07:17:57 PM »
Close shots with 4 lead is a show stopper.  Practice and more practice is important. 
Slap some bacon on a biscut and lets go, were burrnin daylight!

Most peoples health is a decision not a condition?

Kill your television!  ICEMAN SAID TO!

Life Member of Hunting  Washington  Forum.

Time in the woods is more important than timing the moon.

Offline Ridgeratt

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 6061
  • IBEW 73 (Retired) Burden on the working class.
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2026, 07:19:47 PM »
What yardage are you shooting it at?

Online ghosthunter

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+22)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 7784
  • Location: Mount Vernon WA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2026, 08:35:50 PM »
I would suggest you make real sure she can lower the hammer safely if she doesn’t take a shot. All three of my kids grew up shooting that exact gun. Small cold fingers need lots of cock and un cock practice. Safety is more important than anything else.
GHOST CAMP "We Came To Hunt"
Proud Parent of A United States Marine

We are all traveling from Birth to the Packing House. ( Broken Trail)

“I f he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Don’t Curse the Darkness.

Memento Mori

Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

  • Lost Somewhere on the Praire of Klickitat Co. Chasing The Elusive BENCHLEG DEERS.
  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 8181
  • Location: Lyle WA, 98635
  • Yep, my avatar is from my front porch. #2835
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2026, 09:49:44 PM »
What yardage are you shooting it at?


30 yards and under. 10-20 yds be8ng the norm and hunting out of a ground blind.
Slap some bacon on a biscut and lets go, were burrnin daylight!

Most peoples health is a decision not a condition?

Kill your television!  ICEMAN SAID TO!

Life Member of Hunting  Washington  Forum.

Time in the woods is more important than timing the moon.

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8211
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2026, 11:50:02 PM »
I hunt with a .410 for turkeys for sure.  With it being a fixed full choke Inwoild stick with lead pattern the gun for sure.  Bring them in close.  TSS is way harder then steel so I would be on the conservative side.  There are .410 turkey loads out there that aren't TSS that I used  before I got TSS I think Federal made it.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

Offline ctwiggs1

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+10)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 4218
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2026, 06:36:06 AM »
One guy on here was talking about 50 yard turkey kills with TSS through a 410.  I grew up shooting ducks and geese with a 410.  I wouldn’t think twice.  Heck I’m thinking about stealing my kids 410 and using that this year.  It’s way more fun to walk around with than my 12!

Offline Russ McDonald

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 8211
  • Location: Enumclaw
  • USN ET3 SW 87-92, USS Excel MSO 439
  • Groups: NWTF, NRA
Re: .410 for turkey?
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2026, 07:54:03 AM »
One guy on here was talking about 50 yard turkey kills with TSS through a 410.  I grew up shooting ducks and geese with a 410.  I wouldn’t think twice.  Heck I’m thinking about stealing my kids 410 and using that this year.  It’s way more fun to walk around with than my 12!
that was me.  52 yards 2 falls ago.  Another at 45 one year

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Russell McDonald
President South Sound NWTF Chapter

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Favorite Elk Broadhead by JPhelps
[Today at 12:40:22 PM]


Curvy Damascus Utility Fighter by Kingofthemountain83
[Today at 11:35:32 AM]


Help me decide Sig rangefinder questions. by HntnFsh
[Today at 11:35:15 AM]


WSTA Fur Sale 2026 by DishBoggett
[Today at 11:27:27 AM]


First Time Home Buyers Class by pianoman9701
[Today at 10:37:20 AM]


Spring bear 2026 by Machias
[Today at 09:33:56 AM]


Arrow preference by boneaddict
[Today at 09:10:12 AM]


Muzzleloader Supplies by bb76
[Today at 08:49:55 AM]


Hey Turkey Killer's! by Tree Killer
[Today at 08:17:17 AM]


Offseason blues by metlhead
[Today at 05:48:52 AM]


Initial Ascent packs made in Taiwan? by JPhelps
[Today at 05:46:04 AM]


Report Fisher sightings here by HillHound
[Yesterday at 08:55:59 PM]


Fuel transfer pump by Ridgeratt
[Yesterday at 04:34:53 PM]


It was a great year by Kingofthemountain83
[Yesterday at 03:45:59 PM]


PSA!!! Turkey Season by BigJs Outdoor Store
[Yesterday at 01:09:15 PM]


Blacktail Trophy Tactics Hunting Event: Free for Veterans/Active Duty by silverdalesauer
[Yesterday at 11:34:03 AM]


Free 1-Hr Seminar for Deer Hunters by silverdalesauer
[Yesterday at 11:28:36 AM]


Did you know!? by Fidelk
[Yesterday at 11:26:54 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2026, SimplePortal