Rethinking the Turkey Gun: Why Sub-Gauges Like the .410 and 20 Gauge Are Taking Over the Spring Woods
Justin Hunold
last Friday at 5:48 PM
Turkey Guns Are Getting Smaller—and Better
There was a time when you wouldn’t dream of turkey hunting without a full-framed 12 gauge slung over your shoulder—or maybe even a 10 gauge if you were a glutton for punishment. I used to laugh at my friends who only had 2.75 “ 12 gauges while I was toting a 3.5” stoked gun or, on a few occasions, an Ithaca Mag 10. Big bores meant big patterns and long distances and, hopefully, a dead gobbler. That was the standard equation. If you weren’t toting a magnum, you were undergunned.
But look around today. More hunters are showing up to the woods with sleek little .410s or nimble 20 gauges. This isn’t a fad—it’s a full-blown shift. From public land roamers to diehard pattern testers, folks are discovering that smaller turkey guns, when paired with the right loads and setup, punch far above their class. I, for one, love the idea of leaving that 11-pound Mag 10 in the safe.
How the 12 Gauge Became King (and Why It’s Losing the Crown)
For decades, the 12 gauge was the go-to turkey gun for one big reason: it got the job done. When shotshell technology was still catching up to the demands of turkey hunting, the only real solution was brute force. More pellets, more powder, more recoil. Leave the 20 gauge at home until dove season; don’t even bother bringing anything under 1.5 ozs of shot. The 3.5" magnum became gospel, and the 10 gauge even carved out a place among diehards chasing long-range toms.
The thinking was simple: more gauge = more chances at a gobbler.
But the trade-offs were real. The recoil was punishing. The guns were heavy. And for a new hunter—or anyone walking deep into the backcountry—it was like dragging a kettlebell around your neck. Most of us just accepted it because the alternatives didn’t pattern well enough out to 50 or 60 yards to justify the stepping down in gauge.
Then came a technology that flipped the script.
TSS Turkey Loads: The Game Changer That Shrank the Gun
Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) has done more to change turkey hunting than any camo pattern or call ever could.
At nearly 60% denser than lead, (56% to be exact in most cases) TSS lets you shoot smaller pellets that carry more downrange energy—and that means you can stuff a ton of them into a tiny shell. A 3" .410 turkey gun loaded with #9 TSS and the right choke can deliver 290+ pellets with enough punch to cleanly kill a Tom at 40 yards or more.
Read that again. A .410. Forty yards. Lethal. Ethical. Deadly Medicine for your Tom.
Now, pair that performance with a gun that weighs five pounds and kicks like a .22, and you start to see the appeal. TSS didn’t just level the playing field for sub-gauges—it tipped it.
Your shoulder and your back will thank you. When I was carrying that 11-pound 10-gauge, I was in my 20s. Now, in my 40s, I will take any creature comfort that still makes me an effective killer. When I was young, dumb, and trying to be tough, there was a sense of pride that came with shooting a big gun. Now that I’m older and wake up stiff and sore, my pride takes a back seat to practicality.
Chokes and Patterns: Modern Precision
If you’re going to run TSS, you need the right choke. Fortunately, manufacturers have kept up. Brands like Indian Creek, Carlson’s, and Jebs now make choke tubes specifically designed for TSS and sub-gauge turkey guns.
These aren’t your granddad’s modified tubes—they’re engineered for tight, even patterns that hold together way past 40 yards. A 20 gauge with the right setup can stack 100+ pellets into a 10-inch circle at 50-60 yards. A .410 can do nearly the same at 35–40. With this kind of performance, you’re no longer making compromises when you downsize—you’re fine-tuning.
A little side note on this: don’t over-choke yourself if you’re sticking with your 12 and TSS. Your old XXfull Turkey Choke is probably too tight. Try your factory full and be impressed with the results!
Why Red Dots Belong on Turkey Guns (Especially Small Ones)
Tight patterns are a blessing—until you’re off by an inch and the bird walks. That’s why optics have become almost standard on modern turkey guns. Whether it's a scope or a red dot, that sort of rifle-like precision is a must in the field.
A red dot sight lets you aim with precision and confidence. When your pattern is the size of a softball at 30 yards, being dialed in isn’t optional—it’s necessary.
Smaller bores like the 410 turkey gun or 20-gauge turkey gun benefit even more. Lightweight guns with less recoil help maintain zero, and today’s reflex-style optics mount easily and hold up to field abuse. Add in low-light capability, and you’ve got a tool that matches the modern turkey hunter’s needs perfectly.
One side note on this: I like to carry an Allen Key set or whatever bit is needed to remove the optic, just in case. I dropped a turkey gun earlier this season and smashed my red dot. I was able to remove it and still hunt that morning with just my front bead and a little less confidence. Saved me a two-hour drive or a lost hunting day. Be prepared.
How Far Can You Really Shoot with a Sub-Gauge?
Let’s talk about effective range. Not dreams. Not hype. Actual ethical shooting distances with modern loads and gear:
- .410 with TSS: 35–45 yards. I think that with a youth hunter or a beginner, we should still be cognizant of limiting their ranges. These folks probably haven’t pushed through adrenalin and stress like experienced hunters. Plus, what's more fun than a turkey at close range?
- 20 gauge with TSS: 40–50+ yards. I still run a 12 a lot, but my 20’s have been seeing some miles in the California Rio hunts I’ve been going on lately. I am perfectly certain that my 20 with the Indian Creek tube and TSS will deliver a full payload at 50. That is my personal limit with any gun.
- 28 gauge with TSS: Similar to .410, with slightly more wiggle room depending on shell and choke. There are just more options available for a .410 in general.
Compare that to traditional lead loads from a 12-gauge, and you’ll realize the sub-gauges aren’t just holding their own—they’re outpacing yesterday’s standard setups.
But none of this matters if you don’t pattern your gun. Shoot it. Know it. Don’t guess at 5:30 a.m. in the fog. Remember, you can begin your patterning with a target load or game load. Use the cheap stuff to center the pattern at twenty yards. Then step it out and use a TSS shell to verify before the hunt and go to it!
Why More Hunters Are Going Small
There’s a reason the sub-gauge turkey gun is showing up in more blinds and vests each spring. Actually, there are several:
- Weight and Mobility: A .410 or 20 gauge weighs less and handles faster, especially when you’re hiking hills or bouncing between setups.
- Less Recoil: Whether you’re mentoring a youth hunter or are just tired of flinching, sub-gauges are far easier on the shoulder. I love this more than I thought I ever cared about.
- Confidence and Challenge: Nailing a bird with a 410 turkey gun isn’t a stunt—it’s a serious achievement. Smaller gauges make you a better shot, plain and simple. This is a thing in duck hunting, too. I know a lot of hunters who are shooting 28’s for Ducks.
- Pure Fun: They’re just more enjoyable to carry and shoot. Turkey hunting shouldn’t feel like work. It’s hard enough to get up so early and grind all the time. Shooting should be enjoyable.
And here’s a truth seasoned hunters don’t like to admit: you probably don’t need a 12 gauge anymore.
The Future of the Turkey Gun Is Small
The 12 gauge still has its place, but it’s no longer your only option. Thanks to TSS turkey loads, modern choke tubes, and precision red dots, sub-gauge turkey guns like the .410 and 20 gauge are rewriting what’s possible in the turkey woods.
They’re lighter. They hit harder than you’d expect. And they’re making turkey hunting more enjoyable for everyone—from wide-eyed first-timers to grizzled spring veterans.
So, next time you’re prepping for turkey season, don’t just reach for the same old shoulder-buster. Consider giving one of the little guys a shot. You might just fall in love with the new era of turkey guns.
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