410 ga. Recommendation

[VA_Birdhunter]

I'm going to be taking my little boy next year on his first turkey hunt....and kinda considering this year for the youth hunt in VA.  I'm thinking about starting him with a 410 ga.  I don't have alot of experience with a 410 so I'm looking for recommendations for a good 410 to start him out on for turkeys.  Any suggestions and information is greatly appreciated!! 

God Bless

[owlhoot]

I did when my youngest was 6,regretted it. My double you can miss, a pop can width pattern at 20 yards. he blew a bunch of feathers off back of lower neck, bird ran off.
A 20 with a field load 7 1/2 shot would be better i think.  It was the next spring for him .
Recoil a problem , just remember heavy gun kick less, Red dots are great for kids. you can see most dots a long way back on stocks. Soft recoil pads are great too.

[redarrow]

A .410 in an experienced hand would be OK.I don't think its a good choice for a youth though.I'd go with a 20 .

[Deputy 14]

Yep, 20 with a load of low brass 7/1/2s. Get them inside 25 and it'll give you enough energy plus a wide enough pattern for a little wiggle room.

[FL-Boss]

yep... get a 20ga... start out with low brass.  He will have much more room to grow down the road.

[VA_Birdhunter]

Thank you all for the advice!!  I was actually thanking 20ga at first but talked myself right out of it.  I will start looking for a 20ga.

God Bless

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[jakesdad]

Thought about the .410 for my boy.Went with the 20 in the Mossberg mini-bantam.Fits him very well,but a  little on the light side.Equipped with a limbsaver pad and problem solved.Used standard full with 2 3/4 field load of 7 1/2.Wont let him pull the trigger past 20 yds,gun does very well with wide enough pattern to compensate for the shakes inside that distance.

[va wingbone]

A 20 with field loads and as mentioned don't let him shoot until he's 20yds or less. I might make some mad but I don't think turkey hunting and .410 should even be mentioned in the same sentence.

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[davisd9]

Seen the 410 make them reader than a door nail but needs to be done in the right situations and distances.

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[catdaddy]

As others have said, go with a 20 gauge. I do have one suggestion in contrast some of the replies. Let him practice and pattern the gun with light loads. However, when you are actually turkey hunting, use a #6 turkey load. He will not know the difference in the excitement of the moment.   

[VA_Birdhunter]

As others have said, go with a 20 gauge. I do have one suggestion in contrast some of the replies. Let him practice and pattern the gun with light loads. However, when you are actually turkey hunting, use a #6 turkey load. He will not know the difference in the excitement of the moment.

catdaddy thank you for the advice!  I can remember my dad doing this to me....using the light loads then after pulling the trigger in the woods he showed me what he had done....I didn't feel a thing.  Much like today shooting 3 1/2 I never feel it in the woods.

God bless

[alloutdoors]

As others have said, go with a 20 gauge. I do have one suggestion in contrast some of the replies. Let him practice and pattern the gun with light loads. However, when you are actually turkey hunting, use a #6 turkey load. He will not know the difference in the excitement of the moment.

I've done that with a couple kids and that was using my 3" 12ga, not a 20ga, and they still didn't notice. If I'd had a 20ga set up for turkey at the time I would have used it though, a lighter weight gun is definitely easier for young kids to hold steady and control.

[slamman]

I have to agree with most of the others use at least a 20g a if the young man can handle a 12g a let him use that.  I had two youth hunters last year they used my 12ga both got birds and they never even remember shooting.

[Kylongspur88]

As others have said, go with a 20 gauge. I do have one suggestion in contrast some of the replies. Let him practice and pattern the gun with light loads. However, when you are actually turkey hunting, use a #6 turkey load. He will not know the difference in the excitement of the moment.

That's what we did with the kid I took last year. Slipped a 3in #6 hevi shot shell in and he didn't notice.

[Fla. Cracker]

I used a 20ga auto for my granddaughty. Had to use a support so she could hold it up. Son was to put in a 2 3/4 but put in a 3". She never felt it.
Just took an old  camera tripod and put a alum u on top with pipe insulation.
She got a doe at 120 yds with a 6mm in Dec.