question for small game hunters with .410 ?

Smells like Powder

Smells like Powder

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Hi all,

I was wondering which shotgun in cal .410 would be best according to your experiences in the woods for bunny and partridge hunting (small game in general)?

break action vs pump action
handling, weight etc..
multiple type of shells accepted...
pros/cons...
price...

a lot of my friends try to convince me that it is the best caliber to preserve the meat on small games (?)
thank you very much for your answers

Powder
 
I don't see how the .410 is going to be better than any other gauge to preserve meat other than by missing the intended game animal. The .410 has the least shot and weakest patterns of all and many consider it an experts gun as you have to be much more accurate in shot placement. That said if you can shoot well with the .410 it's a hoot. Very expensive shells so get a nice SxS or O/U.
Or.... do yourself a favor and get a 12 or 20 gauge and use light loads. Way more economical, more forgiving and don't use full choke for close game.

Tim.
 
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IF you are shooting grouse while they sit, a .410 is appropriate for them and for rabbits. A .410 is pretty much ideal for rabbits IMHO. But a .410 is an expert's gun for flying grouse, like planemaker said, a 20 ga. with open choke would be a better choice for that purpose. I like hinge action guns in the uplands, but gun fit is more important than action type.
 
If you're shooting at moving game, the .410 is an expert's gun. A 20 ga. gun with open choking - in any action type you prefer - would be a superb upland/small game gun.

Now you have to do lots of research and reading. It's like you've asked us "what's the best car to buy?" As for the action type, make, model, price, etc. only YOU can make that decision for yourself. One way of tackling the problem is to get yourself a gun - any gun - and start shooting. Then you will gain hands-on experience about weight, balance, fit, action type, quality, etc.

Practise wingshooting, that's what shotguns were made for.

And your friend's comments about preserving meat are worthless.
 
You really should get a 20 gauge. I have and use 12-20-410. A 410 is a neat but expensive toy, terrific for wounding small game. A 20 or 12 is a WAY better way to go. Cheaper to shoot, as well. I like a 20 with 7/8 or 1oz., or a 12 with light 1 1/8 loads.
It's a myth that a 12 is more powerfull, it simply shoots a larger weight of shot.
 
I have a Falco O/U .410 mod/full love it for small game. Something with 2 barrels is better than 1 pump with a full choke.
 
sahara said:
It's a myth that a 12 is more powerfull, it simply shoots a larger weight of shot.
Click to expand...

Which means more kinetic energy which means more powerful.

unless 5 foot tall and weigh 90lbs buy a 12 I am a big fan of the adjustable choke if you spy a wabbit at 40yards put it on full otherwise keep it on open cylinder and see what pops up
 
I would focus on getting a gun that you like and fits you. Try as many as you can prior to buying one. Then I a would want at least 2 shots, choke tubes and probally a 20ga.
I shoot a lot of 28ga and some 410 and unless you reload it gets expensive.
 
An open choked .410 shooting 3 inch loads will actually shoot wider patterns than a 12 gauge, however the pattern density is just not there. I would shy away from the .410 given that most you are likely to encounter have fixed full chokes. If you are set on a .410 see if you can track one down with a modified choke and shoot 3 inch 7 1/2's out of it. While you won't really be able to compete with a 20 or 12 you can be on the tail of the 28.

I think your friends probably sluice their birds and rabbits while they are sitting still and as such slinging 11/16 of an ounce of shot at them does cause less damage than 1 ounce or more out of a larger gun.

I liked my full choke .410 for shooting starlings and did in a few sparrows,crows and one pheasant with it.
 
For myself I perfer the 28 gauge.

As for the .410 if one is concerned about a low cost but good working repeater the Remington Model 870 Express in .410 would be a good choice in my opinion if one wanted a .410.
 
Smells like Powder said:
Hi all,

I was wondering which shotgun in cal .410 would be best according to your experiences in the woods for bunny and partridge hunting (small game in general)?

break action vs pump action
handling, weight etc..
multiple type of shells accepted...
pros/cons...
price...

a lot of my friends try to convince me that it is the best caliber to preserve the meat on small games (?)
thank you very much for your answers

Powder
Click to expand...
Skeet shooters do not call the 410 " the idiot stick" for nothing !:D
it takes some skill - as was already mentioned, to kill cleanly with it, and that means a lot of summertime skeet practice , which means lots of ammo, so pony up for a loader, or simply save a bunch and buy a 20 gauge.
I have "several" shotguns in 4 gauges , and more than a few in 410 and 20.
the cost of factory ammo is substantial, and most people who have trouble hitting with the little gun can do better with the 20.
HOWEVER, if you must have a 410, go for it - the action does not matter IMO, but practise lots with your choice!:D
Cat
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
If you are set on a .410 see if you can track one down with a modified choke and shoot 3 inch 7 1/2's out of it. While you won't really be able to compete with a 20 or 12 you can be on the tail of the 28.
Click to expand...

The 410 is not even close to the 28. The order is 12,20,28 and then............................................................................................................................................................................410
 
Smells like powder,
If your game is stump chicken or bunnies you may be better off with a .22! A 410 is OK for clay because clay does not bleed. I have used the 410 for first kills for pointing dog puppies. I usually used pigeons but I would work up to pheasants to get the pup excited about game. The pheasant was planted and both pup and bird were totally under control. I would never use the little gun in a hunting situation. It is also way cheaper to shoot a 12 or 20.
 
.410... worked for me... not the best but better then my daisy red ryder!

Winchester 370 I got it from a uncle back in 1987. I still use it a bit for bunnies 3" shell #4 or #2 (if you can find them).

Ole Betsy and me walked a lot of miles since I was 16... My first shotgun.
 
Covey Ridge said:
The 410 is not even close to the 28. The order is 12,20,28 and then............................................................................................................................................................................410
Click to expand...

Haha, good one. The .410 can be made to perform at a level similar to the 28. It will not run side by side with it but with a good gun with chokes optimised for the loads it can come close enough that most people wouldn't notice a difference, I also have to add with shot sizes larger than 7's the 28 has the edge, but not that far and away edge most people give it.

The problem with .410's is that most are cheaply made with chokes that are way too tight. The higher operating pressure of the .410 tends to deform more pellets and cause poorer patterns, but good choke and barrel geometry can alleviate alot of those problems.
 
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