Can you hunt turkeys with a .410? A few years ago most hunters would have laughed. Then tungsten super shot (TSS) arrived, and the little .410 turned into a real turkey gun at close range. Today, 410 turkey loads let youth hunters, small-framed adults and run-and-gun hunters carry a featherweight gun into the woods. This guide explains why it works, where its limits are, and how our .410 turkey shells compare.
Payload, shot size, pellet count and velocity are from each maker’s published data.
Will a .410 kill a turkey?
Yes, with TSS and good shot placement. A turkey is brought down by pellets hitting the head and neck. Lead #5 or #6 pellets from a .410 run out of steam fast, and there are too few of them. TSS is far denser than lead. A small #9 TSS pellet carries more energy than a lead pellet of the same size, and a .410 shell can hold several hundred of them.
Still, a .410 carries well under an ounce of shot. That means fewer pellets than a 20 or 12 gauge TSS load. Your effective range will be shorter. Know that going in, and set up close.
Is the .410 legal for turkey where you hunt?
Check before you buy. Some states set a minimum gauge, limit shot size or restrict shot types for turkey. Rules change from year to year and can differ between spring and fall seasons. Read your state’s current turkey regulations. If the .410 isn’t allowed, our 20 gauge turkey loads guide covers the next step up.
410 turkey loads compared
| Load | Payload | Shot size | Pellets | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal TSS 410 Heavyweight Turkey 3 in. #9 | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,100 fps |
| Apex Ninja 410 Turkey TSS 3 in. #9-1/2 7/8 oz | 7/8 oz | #9-1/2 | 403 | 1,060 fps |
| Apex 410 TSS Turkey 3 in. #9-1/2 27/32 oz | 27/32 oz | #9-1/2 | 358 | 1,060 fps |
| Browning TSS 410 Turkey 3 in. #9 13/16 oz | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,100 fps |
| Remington TSS 410 Premier Turkey 3 in. #9 | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,050 fps |
| Rogue TSS 410 Turkey 3 in. #9-1/2 27/32 oz | 27/32 oz | #9-1/2 | — | 1,100 fps |
| Fiocchi Golden Turkey TSS 410 3 in. #9 13/16 oz | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,100 fps |
| Winchester Long Beard TSS 410 3 in. #9 13/16 oz | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,100 fps |
| Hevi 18 TSS 410 Turkey 3 in. #9 13/16 oz | 13/16 oz | #9 | — | 1,090 fps |
| Winchester Double X 410 Turkey Loads 3 in. #7-1/2 3/4 oz | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | — | 1,100 fps |
All these are 3 inch shells. A 2-1/2 inch .410 chamber won’t take them.
#9 TSS
Most .410 TSS loads use #9 shot with 13/16 oz. The Federal Heavyweight TSS, Browning TSS, Fiocchi Golden Turkey TSS and Winchester Long Beard TSS all list that payload at 1,100 fps. The Remington Premier TSS lists 1,050 fps.
#9-1/2 TSS
Smaller #9-1/2 shot packs more pellets. The Apex Turkey Ninja lists 403 pellets in 7/8 oz. The Apex Turkey TSS lists 358 pellets in 27/32 oz. Both list 1,060 fps. More pellets fill the head-and-neck zone. Each pellet carries a bit less energy.
Lead
The Winchester Double X #7-1/2 carries 3/4 oz of copper-plated lead. It costs less, but lead loses energy faster. If you use it, keep shots very close.
Choke and gun setup
A .410 TSS load needs a turkey choke built for it. Many .410 turkey guns come with one or accept aftermarket tubes made for TSS. Make sure your choke maker rates the tube for tungsten shot. Add a red dot or turkey sights. Tight patterns mean you need to aim like a rifle, not point like a bird gun.
How to pattern a .410 for turkey
- Use a life-size turkey head target, or draw a head-and-neck outline on paper.
- Shoot from a rest at 15, 20 and 25 yards. Then try 30 and beyond if the closer patterns look strong.
- Count hits in the head and neck. Many hunters also count hits inside a 10-inch circle.
- Try at least two loads. Patterns can change a lot from brand to brand.
- Set your max range at the last distance where the pattern stays dense and even. Then stick to it.
How far can you shoot a turkey with a .410 TSS?
Only as far as your own pattern proves. There’s no number that fits every gun, choke and load. Many hunters find a .410 is best kept shorter than a 12 or 20 gauge would be. Call birds in close, wait for a clear head shot, and pass on anything beyond your tested range.
Shop 410 turkey loads
All the loads above are in our .410 turkey loads category. For the rest of the .410 lineup, from target shells to slugs, see our .410 bore ballistic data guide. TSS shells sell in 5- and 10-round boxes, so one or two boxes usually covers patterning and the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 410 good for turkey hunting?
With TSS shot, yes, at close range. Dense #9 or #9-1/2 TSS lets a .410 put hundreds of pellets on a turkey’s head and neck. The payload is still small, so effective range is shorter than with a 20 or 12 gauge. Check your state’s rules first.
Can you use a 410 for turkey hunting?
Many states allow it, but not all. Some set a minimum gauge or limit shot size or shot type for turkey. Rules can also differ between spring and fall seasons. Read your state’s current turkey regulations before you buy 410 turkey loads or plan a hunt.
What size 410 shot is best for turkey?
Most hunters use #9 or #9-1/2 TSS. #9 carries a bit more energy per pellet, while #9-1/2 packs more pellets, such as the 403 listed for the Apex Turkey Ninja. Lead #7-1/2 is cheaper but loses energy faster, so keep shots very close with it.
How far can you shoot a turkey with a 410 TSS?
Only as far as your own patterns prove. Pattern your load and choke at 15, 20, 25 and 30 yards on a turkey head target. Your max range is the last distance where hits stay dense and even. Pass on any bird beyond it.
