Surprise Find (Update)

[Hobbes]

Turkey ammo selection in Montana can be hit or miss, even with lead. There was always plenty of 12 ga. #4 lead or 20ga. #5s, but ask for #6s and they may recommend #2s (that actually happened in Colorado). I assumed that there was no way anyone would have factory TSS, and sure as heck not #9s, especially in .410 shells.

I was surprised when I spotted Federal TSS in 20 ga at Scheels in Billings, but I was even more surprised to find .410 #9s (20 and 12 also) in Federal and Browning at Cabela's in Missoula. It hurt to spend that much on five .410 shells. The guy at check-out was having a hard time reconciling the combination of .410, #9s, and turkey ammo.





If the temps would get into the 50s, I may shoot one or two rounds this week. I don't expect it to be a 40 yard gun considering the fixed full. I'll probably clean the barrel good and shoot one round at 30. If that's good, I likely won't shoot another.

[MAK]

Good luck- nice gun wish my old eyes could handle beads hope it patterns well for you

[Hoobilly]

I’ve heard that the Browning load shoots better patterns than the Federals. Looking forward to seeing what you get

[Hobbes]

Good luck- nice gun wish my old eyes could handle beads hope it patterns well for you

I finally went to a Vortex Venom last year, but I'll have to make due with the bead on this old gun. It may not turn out well enough to hunt with anyway.

[Hobbes]

I’ve heard that the Browning load shoots better patterns than the Federals. Looking forward to seeing what you get

I was going off of that as well. They only had one box of the Browning, so I may have to order online if I need another.

[Southern Sportsman]

I shoot a fixed full .410 and average 130/10” at 40 yards. It may surprise you.

[Hobbes]

I shoot a fixed full .410 and average 130/10” at 40 yards. It may surprise you.

If it does well at 30, I'll give 40 a try. I think I've got an old box of #6 lead around somewhere that I'll use for an initial check of POA/POI.

[GLS]

I agree with the above about factory full. My Baikal MP18 .410 throws 130 into the 10" ring at 40 yards. My Savage 220B averages about 100 with a low of 88 and high 110. Both are factory full. Gil

[Hobbes]

I agree with the above about factory full. My Baikal MP18 .410 throws 130 into the 10" ring at 40 yards. My Savage 220B averages about 100 with a low of 88 and high 110. Both are factory full. Gil

Thanks for the info. Maybe it will perform better than I expected. I hope so.

It looks like mid 40s is as good as it gets for the next 10 days. I probably can't wait that long, so may give it a try this weekend if the sun is out Sunday afternoon.

[Hobbes]

Definitely not more than a 30 yard gun. Two vastly different #s so maybe it prefers a dirty barrel. I may polish the barrel to see how it does. The first shot at 32 yards (I mismeasured) was only 67 in the 10". The second was 90 in the 10" at 30 yards. It looked more like a wing shooting pattern, especially the first shot. Temp wasn't the greatest at about 40 max.

While I'd be fine with 90, the first is far enough off that I'll have to do more testing. It's not going to be a 40 yard gun, but I'm good if I can become comfortable at 30.

[howl]

Doesn't take many TSS shells shot to have been a discount on a turkey choke. Mine with turkey choke would meet your 30 yard want with lead 7 1/2s.

[Hobbes]

Doesn't take many TSS shells shot to have been a discount on a turkey choke. Mine with turkey choke would meet your 30 yard want with lead 7 1/2s.

It gets expensive quick, but I don't have a turkey choke option. Its an old 410 with a fixed full that was the first shotgun I shot and I killed my first duck with it. I have no interest in making it a gun that I carry regularly. If I choose to use it, I'll be calling them in close. Last year's birds were 27, 32, and 15, so I'm not too worried about making it a 40 yd gun.

[howl]

10-4. I got one of those, too. I tried one TSS load in it. The shell came out showing a rather generous chamber. The pattern wasn't too great. One day I'll do a BP load with a generous amount of Pb to try to make it to 30 yards. I'm thinking a shot cup made of heavy brown paper might hold enough shot to make it.