Why I no longer pack a 12ga.

[bmason]

I have put together a Steven's .410 with patternmaster choke and red dot. I have found 3-4 tss rounds to pattern. I'll post pictures when I get it dialed in.

 

[predator1]

I'd rather bench rest a .460 WM than to shoot my Brother's 12 gauge H&R single shot Turkey gun. Shot it once, in a sitting position, and it knocked me over on my back!!

Worst recoil I’ve ever experienced is a toss up between a H&R 10ga with 3.5’s and 338-378 Weatherby. Both made we wish I’d never shot them. Lol.

 

[wv67]

I shot a 375 HnH I believe is what it was for my FIL neighbor , And it kicked the dog crap out of me , and I shot a 10gauge a few times that I borrowed to Turkey hunt and took it back to the fella. Didn’t want no part of it and I was in my 20s then

 

[DH13]

When and if I do go. Ill take my Browning Maxus 12. 3 inch longbeard 6s. But now its all about Crappie fishing than Turkey for me. Use to chase Turkey worse than I ever chased women. But now its Crappie. Worst kick for me a 375HnH I was 18. Wont shoot another one. Use my Remington SP 10 every year On Geese. It dont kick.

 

[Drahts]

I bought a 301 410 couple years ago, had a Burris FF3 I put on it. Graveyarded a longboard at 45 with it no problem. Most of my shots are 18yds. That particular bird was a double with a buddy and his bird was bout to leave and I had a clear shot so we let em fly. Fun little gun, no kick at all!

 

[SummertimeCarl]

For upland and rabbit hunting I absolutely am on board with smaller gauges built on smaller and lighter frames. The 410 turkey trend though, to me, seems like a successful marketing campaign from the gun and ammo manufacturers only.

I 100% get "using what you got" - If that's all you have, use it. But I'm not sure I understand purchasing a 410 with the plan to use TSS loads when bigger bores are available everywhere and do the trick as well or better. I hike in and move spots when turkey hunting but not enough to where the minimal weight difference is noticed.

 

[Oldrook]

For upland and rabbit hunting I absolutely am on board with smaller gauges built on smaller and lighter frames. The 410 turkey trend though, to me, seems like a successful marketing campaign from the gun and ammo manufacturers only.

I 100% get "using what you got" - If that's all you have, use it. But I'm not sure I understand purchasing a 410 with the plan to use TSS loads when bigger bores are available everywhere and do the trick as well or better. I hike in and move spots when turkey hunting but not enough to where the minimal weight difference is noticed.

I notice a lot of people talk about the weight savings of a .410 but my Franchi Affinity is only about a pound and half more than those Stevens 301 .410’s. And a pound heavier than my Savage Stevens .410 bolt action. The recoil on the Franchi is very soft. I’ll take the benefits of the 12 ga and an extra shell or two in it……..just in case! Like you said, hunt with what you like

 

[thunderstorm]

I'd rather bench rest a .460 WM than to shoot my Brother's 12 gauge H&R single shot Turkey gun. Shot it once, in a sitting position, and it knocked me over on my back!!

I hunt with a H&R Synthetic 12 ga (and 30/30). I once shot 2 mornings in a row during turkey season with heavy loads. That 2nd day shot was the first and only time I got the piss knocked out of me. Fortunately, the gobbler was in worse shape. But, I still love that light gun.

 

[slobear]

I'm 75 years old and still pack a 835 (sometimes a M3500). That and Winchester LB XR and no turkey inside 60 yds will survive. No doubt TSS is more better but dead is dead.

Dang. I’m just not interested in the punishment of an 835 anymore. Great guns but that hurt on both ends.

 

[slobear]

bought my daughter a youth .410 and she hates it and has turned her off to turkey hunting for the time being. I should have shot it first myself even with regular bird shot shells it kicks harder than my 12ga. it is just to light. I will be trading it in and maybe find me a 410 to hunt with so I can use up the expensive shells I bought to go with it.

Every gun is different. To me Remington rolls more than kicks, mossberg kicks like mule and benelli knocks shit out of you.

 

[slobear]

For upland and rabbit hunting I absolutely am on board with smaller gauges built on smaller and lighter frames. The 410 turkey trend though, to me, seems like a successful marketing campaign from the gun and ammo manufacturers only.

I 100% get "using what you got" - If that's all you have, use it. But I'm not sure I understand purchasing a 410 with the plan to use TSS loads when bigger bores are available everywhere and do the trick as well or better. I hike in and move spots when turkey hunting but not enough to where the minimal weight difference is noticed.

My son has tagged on on turkeys with his 870 express 20 ga since he got it. I’m not going to say distance. I have never seen a 12 drop them in spot like it does.

This year, heck a few days ago he tells me he is using one of his 12 gauges because he is tired of looking for ammo. He is 18 and can handle the punishment but I’m looking forward to the results. I will be carrying his 20 if I hunt.

 

[drakeshooter]

I'd rather bench rest a .460 WM than to shoot my Brother's 12 gauge H&R single shot Turkey gun. Shot it once, in a sitting position, and it knocked me over on my back!!

My first turkey gun in the early 90s was a single 12 gauge American Arms with an extra full, kept a bruised cheek just before and during the season. It kicked like a mule with 3” turkey loads. My 870 SP 3-1/2” you can’t even feel.

 

[ancienthunter]

I bought a Stevens 301 Turkey 410. It came with a mounted and boresighted sight as a package. The sight is not a name brand but it does says Red Dot 1x30. I know 1power 30mm. Below is a picture of the sight paperwork that was with the gun manual. My question is does anyone know the brand of the sight and what is the MOA? I looked up many brands of 1x30 and they mostly have 5 MOA. I have other guns with red dots and they are 1x22 with 3MOA dots. Like them and use to them. View attachment 111195 View attachment 111196

I’m pretty sure it’s made by tasco and is 5 moa. I bought one at Walmart several years ago and it’s identical to the one that came on my Stevens.

 

[mcbuck58]

I’m pretty sure it’s made by tasco and is 5 moa. I bought one at Walmart several years ago and it’s identical to the one that came on my Stevens.

Thanks ancienthunter. I was also going to try to measure the diameter of the dot at 50 and 100 yards and see if I come up with 2 1/2 and 5 inches respectively. I’m used to 3MOA with 22mm tube but some Turkey pros say 5 MOA works good with 30mm tubes. We will see.

 

[ancienthunter]

Thanks ancienthunter. I was also going to try to measure the diameter of the dot at 50 and 100 yards and see if I come up with 2 1/2 and 5 inches respectively. I’m used to 3MOA with 22mm tube but some Turkey pros say 5 MOA works good with 30mm tubes. We will see.

I use to use a scope but switched to a red dot after I had a scope get jarred out of alignment it’s worked really good for me And you don’t have to worry about getting scope eye from a hard shooting gun.