Got one of them too.
My two tubes are full and modified.
Very good friend gave it to me after shoulder replacement surgery. I bought $60 (10 rounds) worth of Federals 3" #9TSS ammo specifically to hunt turkeys with. I haven't shot a turkey with it yet, but if I live long enough, some tom turkey somewhere is leading a charmed life and just doesn't know it! LOL!
I looked at the .410 S×S offered by Academy. A really cheesy looking gun.
Have you patterned it yet? I'd be happy if TSS would make good 30-35 yard shots. Anything past 20 yards is a gamble with regular lead shot I've tried on squirrels.
I bit the bullet and burned up two of those $6 shotgun shells. Ten and 20 yards with the full choke tube did just fine.
I would feel just as easy using lead 8's or 9's, I just can't find them on 3 inch. The TSS is harder. Harder doesn't necessarily equate to deeper penetration.
I bought the Fed .410 TSS kinda out of desperation, thinking it would be "more effective".
It's only "more expensive".
Whole thing in a "nutshell".
Expensive, dedicated turkey ammo is a ruse.
John Q. Public think if they buy "Whomper Stomper-Non Toxic-#3's" in 3.5" 12 gauge, they can easily kill turkeys at 70 yards and will burn up a hundred dollars worth of the over priced crap trying to repeat Billy Bob Gunwriter's claim the stuff is worth fifteen bucks a round.
The very first gobbler I picked up fell to a 1 1/8 oz load of #8's at 1250 fps.
Other that a few birds I've taken with a rifle and a handgun, everyone was taken with plain Jane #8's.
Remember, the target on a turkey is from where his wattles start to his head.
No matter HOW bad or how handsome that bird is, HE'S GOT TO BE IN RANGE!
Expensive, specialty ammo IS NOT the answer.
That's my soapbox.
I think the TSS will work fine, but even I won't push it to 30 yards, regardless of what Phil Bourjaily writes.
If you have just GOT to shoot turkeys beyond 40/45 yards, use a .22 Mag or .22 Hornet. Both work fine. The Hornet out to about 150 yards. Ask me.
