45lc/410 pistols

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vincyr

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Specifically the Super Comanche types. Because of a stent in my neck, my doctor recommended that I avoid shotguns(heavy recoil could dislodge the stent). Recoil up to 308 hasn't been an issue, but shotties(at least 12ga and 20ga) are a no go. It didn't really hurt my feelings much, because I've never really been a bird hunter. But I kinda would like to go after turkey. There is a provision in the regs for a handgun, but it has to fire shot, not a bullet. Would a 45lc/410 pistol be able to throw sufficient shot and pattern tight enough for a turkey at, say, 20yds? Or would I be better off just getting a bow/crossbow?
 
As the barrel in those revolvers is rifled, the shot spreads very quickly and wouldn't give you sufficient coverage at 20 yards. Go with a bow or crossbow and avoid the firearm problems of your state. A bow will also give you much better range than a handgun using shot.
 
As the barrel in those revolvers is rifled, the shot spreads very quickly and wouldn't give you sufficient coverage at 20 yards. Go with a bow or crossbow and avoid the firearm problems of your state. A bow will also give you much better range than a handgun using shot.
Not a revolver. It's a break action single shot like a TC. Supposedly, it has a special choke tube for shot that arrests the spin from the rifling. But, I have no idea how well that works, or if a 410 would even be enough.
 
There is a new 410 load out that is designed for turkey hunting. I can't remember who makes it, but they claim kill shots out to 30 yards. The T/C Contender would be a good candidate for this load.
 
Would be a different way to go at it but what about one of the 12 or 20 gauge Shokwave type of "pistols"? Could put a red dot on it and if rested I think could work.

Are they even legal in NY? A quick search showed a lot of people speculating that they "should" be legal, but no word from the NYSP or AGs office.
 
Are they even legal in NY? A quick search showed a lot of people speculating that they "should" be legal, but no word from the NYSP or AGs office.

Oops, sorry, didn't see that you were in ny. That could complicate things.

The 410 Contenders are an option, would make sure a .410 option will take the turkey shell that makes sense. I'm not sure what length the Contender barrels will take but would expect a hot turkey shell to be 3in. Same concern for the Super Comanche. Taurus has the Judge line and I think they make them in 6.5in versions, less common as people want the short ones for some reason. Pretty sure they have a 3in shell version if that could work for you, would give you follow up shots.

There are bp pistol shotgun options, the Howdah, but then very limited on sights. Super neat but not sure about hunting with one.

I'm not a turkey hunter so can't help with what it takes to put one down.
 
You might consider a 410 pump shotgun like made by Mossberg and Remington. A full size and weight long gun is probably your best option for Turkey hunting while not shocking your neck.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/415003704/mb+500+turkey+410+26vr

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...ress+pump+410+gauge+25+3+hardwood+stk+black+m

Or if you would rather an over/under shotgun instead maybe something like this from Stoeger.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...youth+over/under+shotgun+st31037,+410+gauge,+

Even better, this Franchi over/under comes in both 410 or 28 gauge. The 28ga makes a great low recoil gun for all kinds of birds!
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...t+l+over/under+shotgun+40812,+410+gauge,+28+i

Henry make a levergun in 410 but I have never shot one of seen one close up.
 
Since this is more of a 'How can I hunt turkeys within the confines of my medical restrictions?' question, I've moved this to hunting. I think the folks who frequent this part of the forum will be able to get you more specific answers. I hope you get your bird :) .
 
Since this is more of a 'How can I hunt turkeys within the confines of my medical restrictions?' question, I've moved this to hunting. I think the folks who frequent this part of the forum will be able to get you more specific answers. I hope you get your bird :) .
Fine by me. I just wasn't really sure where it belonged
 
I would not try for turkey beyond 15-20 yards with my contender. Judges and Gov'nors are a joke beyond 10. Get a single shot 410 and the TSS shot and forget the gimmicks. Or as my friend Entropy says, crossbow. (And please, not "shotty).
 
My 16” Contender shoots doughnut patterns at 20 yds with the choke in place.

That was with small shot. Might do better with a different load.
 
If you have the skill and it’s legal to use a crossbow for turkeys, do that. If not, a pump gun in .410 like others said is your best bet. They’re fairly heavy and that soaks up recoil. I inherited an older savage pump .410. Even the stoutest loads are mild because of the combination of heavy guns and light loads (compared to other bore sizes/chambering).
Single shots are just not very heavy. In most applications they’d be perfect here, but in this effort to save your neck from injury they’re not your friend.

I’ve not hunted with my pump .410, but I will say it’s a lot of fun to shoot.
 
Any .410 configuration is going to relegate you (feasibly) to a 30 yd. shot or under...and then it's probably marginal. I wouldn't handicap myself in such a way when turkey hunting. Modern crossbows can be extremely accurate out to 50 yds. (with practice and a steady rest). No loud noises, no recoil, can be used on more than turkey.
 
Not a revolver. It's a break action single shot like a TC. Supposedly, it has a special choke tube for shot that arrests the spin from the rifling. But, I have no idea how well that works, or if a 410 would even be enough.
Gonna say right now, my semi auto 20 GA has VERY minimal recoil and both myself and every small statured shooter I've let handle it would take it over a .308 any day. With that in mind, and allowing that the recoil may still be unacceptable, I'd say crossbow.
 
My ex SIL had one of those cheap things. There is no straight rifling such as in my TC contender 10" barrel to stop the spin of the shot column. I didn't ever shoot the thing, but I'll stick with my contender. I have other powerful barrels for the contender, too, and have killed deer and hogs with the .30-30 barrel. I use the .410 for woods bumming. I've killed squirrel and doves to 30 yards with it, but that's about it's limit on small game. If you could get inside 20 yards, I suppose you could kill a turkey with it, but I prefer my .223 rifle or .22 Magnum for turkey. That's legal on rios in Texas. Neither have excessive recoil.
 
Gonna say right now, my semi auto 20 GA has VERY minimal recoil and both myself and every small statured shooter I've let handle it would take it over a .308 any day. With that in mind, and allowing that the recoil may still be unacceptable, I'd say crossbow.

Yep, a semi auto action will soak up recoil. I have owned a 12 gauge Winchester 1400, which many seem to love to hate, for 30 years. I used to use it for a dove gun. It has no recoil pad, doesn't really need one. It fits very well, which is half the battle, and the action soaks up the punch. I've used it on ducks. Boy, it is REALLY sweet with heavy steel shot loads. I kinda prefer my newer CZ Redhead 20 gauge for doves now days, but if and when I get the chance to shoot ducks, that old Winchester is a nice alternative to either of my Mossberg pumps. :D
 
A solid 100-year-old, original long barreled Stevens / Savage single shot 410 should do it... lots of steel and walnut to soak up the recoil. If it does not work for you, it's normally easy to find a buyer for those $150 - $175 shotguns. Great for bunnies and squirrels too, and they can use the even lower recoil 2 1/2" shells. Plus, there's something about having only one shot that helps you make it count.
 
If anyone has experience drilling out a shotgun buttstock and pouring in molten lead, it might be useful information for the OP. Supposedly this method reduces recoil; I saw this on an old shotty once but have never done it, or viewed "before & after" test results.
 
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