Hello -
I want to buy a dedicated turkey gun and put a red dot on it, but I have a wife and young daughter who are likely to use this gun in the future as well. I only have room in the budget for one gun that all three of us will use, so here's the question -
Do I buy a .410 knowing that it would be more comfortable for my wife and daughter and 'good enough' for me, or do I buy a 20 gauge which is ideal for me but probably a little bit too much gun for a young child to hunt with?
For added context, I hunt almost exclusively big timber and cannot remember the last time I took a shot past 30 or 35 yards, so long range lethality (past 40yds.) is not a relevant factor for me. I know .410 is a legit turkey hunting gun with modern ammunition, but I want to hear some firsthand accounts before taking the plunge!
I'd consider a 28 gauge. The availability has increased in both ammo (tss) and guns. No doubt it kicks less than a 20 with 1.5 oz or 1 3/8 oz loads. The recoil in my sbe3 is very mild compared to my 20 gauge franchi. I'm getting patterns in the 280s with a factory full choke. I think I could use it for wing shooting as well, or have my daughter use it. The 28 is the best of both worlds imo.
Quote from: Ondavirg on December 02, 2024, 01:59:44 PMI'd consider a 28 gauge. The availability has increased in both ammo (tss) and guns. No doubt it kicks less than a 20 with 1.5 oz or 1 3/8 oz loads. The recoil in my sbe3 is very mild compared to my 20 gauge franchi. I'm getting patterns in the 280s with a factory full choke. I think I could use it for wing shooting as well, or have my daughter use it. The 28 is the best of both worlds imo.
I considered this, but several of the models I am considering don't offer a 28 gauge which is a real bummer.
20 GA - more options and room to grow. Shoot lighter 2.3/4 for the kid and wife.
Truly don't think you can go wrong with either. A semi auto .410 has next to no recoil which the wife and kid would enjoy and with available ammo today you should be able to get a lethal 40 yard pattern without much issue at all. The 20 is more widely available and light loads are offered which I believe would be plenty manageable. My wife has a .410 but shoots the vast majority of her birds with my 20. When she first started turkey hunting I let her shoot a dove load at paper to get her confidence up. Put tss in for the hunt and she never knew the difference
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Been using a 28ga for last 3 years, TSS #9 1.5 oz handload. It is my dedicated turkey gun, and now my 20ga stays home..
I agree 28 ga
I have both set up as dedicated turkey guns. My .410 is a Mossberg SA with a Holosun and Indian Creek. It is lightweight, deadly at close range and extremely easy on the shooter. My 20g is a Beretta a300 Ultima KO that also has a Holosun and Indian Creek. It is definitely heavier and will kick harder than the .410 but so bad that it should truly upset a wife or child. With the 20, I am much more confident, especially if I have to reach a little farther. Remember, unless you are at the range, it should just be one shot and the excitement of moment should limit the felt recoil.
Second thought, if for some reason you quit using it as a dedicated turkey gun, which would be better for ducks, pheasants, quail, etc..
I also have a 28g but not set up for turkey. I love shooting it at skeet, doves, pheasants, etc.... It is a great load.
20ga. Grow into it plus you can have all around gun to do everything with if you only need to buy one.
All great advice above, good luck with your choice....
Quote from: SumToy on December 06, 2024, 08:27:18 AM20ga. Grow into it plus you can have all around gun to do everything with if you only need to buy one.
Yep.
20 gauge gas semi-auto.
Wide selection of more economically priced and available ammo. Gas auto eats a bunch of recoil. Yet you still have a SERIOUS, all-around gun.
I'd reccommend a Winchester Super X4.
Yeah i'm in the 20 ga gas operated camp.
I have a Beretta A300 20 ga that's pretty sweet. Not a fan of the kick off system on the A300 but thats easy to switch out. Now on the A400 12ga i can't find nothing about that gun i don't like. So if thats in your budget the A400 20ga might be the ticket.
You also need to think about LOP The A300 is very adjustable and pretty simple to adjust.
I was a scrawny kid in the 70's, and my parents gave me a 20 when I was 8. In a hunting scenario, I don't ever remember the gun kicking me at all.
A dedicated turkey gun is different than an all around gun like mine was, but I still think a 20 ga is the direction I would go.
I'm putting together an 870 youth 20 ga right now that I intend to turkey hunt with for a while and hand down to my grandson when he's old enough to handle it.
20 gauge. My oldest shot his first bird at 6 using a 20 gauge with an adjustable Knoxx stock and 1.125ozs of #10 TSS. At 6'4" I can use that same gun to do anything I need it to.
I'm in the 20 gauge camp too, just adjust the load to the shooter. I think the most important thing is an adjustable stock, I'm using a Phoenix AR style stock.
20ga with TSS is a great balance of light recoil and still forgiving for the inexperienced shooter that may not understand how far 30 yards is... if they push a long shot due to nerves, which is pretty common with new hunters, the 20 still has the sauce to put the bird down comfortably.
20-gauge gas gun with 2.75" shells. Just don't get one of those featherweight guns. If they can handle the length of the standard adult gun, and the standard weight that goes with it, that's what they should shoot. Again, if their frames can handle it.
A 410 with a good choke and 3"TSS with a red dot, is all you need inside 40 yards.
Works good for everyone.