.410 Cal Pump Shotgun

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I have always used a 12 gauge on grouse using light upland game loads. The shotgun I used is a Remington 870 pump action.

I wanted to try .410 cal this year on grouse just for something different. I was looking to buy the Remington 870 in .410 cal but apparently Remington does't make them in .410 anymore. So, I ordered a Mossberg 500 pump in .410 cal. I bought my ammo for it today; Federal 3" #6 shot. I hope the ammo and/or shotgun don't disappoint or it will be back to the 12 gauge again.
 
My lovely girlfriend stands by her .410 and I stand behind her when she shoots it ;-). She is scarily accurate with any firearm, and its always a thrill to watch her shoot. Nothing quite like picking her up a box of shells when I grab something for myself!
Only having a 12 gauge myself, it's more of a clay pigeon at the moment. Buying a nice .410 is on my list though, as I love shooting hers.
You will definitely enjoy it!
 
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For sitting grouse, shoot the heads off with #7-1/2 shot, out of 2-1/2" shells. I only resort to 3" shells for shooting sharptails or Huns on the wing, and I would still go with #7-1/2 shot.
 
the biggest problem with the .410 is after you start stacking shot in a long column the patters start getting worse a 1/2oz load may pattern fine but a 3/4oz load may have holes in the pattern #7.5 for small game birds will do well #6 for small game and bigger birds

I have a bolt action and a 12" barreled single both loaded with 5/16oz(inside load) to 1/2oz(outside load) of #12 really takes out pest birds like sparrows and starlings inside and outside of barns,sheds,ect ive never used anything over 1/2oz and never a shell longer than 2 1/2"
 
Well, I got the shotgun in the mail yesterday from Cabelas. I have not been out to the range with it yet, but this weekend for sure. Overall, it seems to be a sturdy, well built shotgun. It doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. Let's hope she cycles nice when I put a few rounds through it.
 
Most .410 pumps have MAJOR issues feeding. Mine is at the gunsmith right now. He told me he may be able to fix it,..but no promises. YIKES! To bad someone couldn't come up with a .410 semi that is reliable.
 
Maybe a little pricey these days, but try a Winchester pre-64 model 42. Basically a Winchester Model 12 in .410. Flawless, in my opinion :~)
 
X2 on the model 42 winchesters I have 2 one with 26"bbl full choke and the other has a 26" bbl mod choke use them for ruffies barn yard piegeons gophers on the run early season sharptails later on the sharpies flush at longer distances the 410 comes a little short so to speak . They are a lot of fun to shoot.
 
Hairy Krisna said:
Most .410 pumps have MAJOR issues feeding. Mine is at the gunsmith right now. He told me he may be able to fix it,..but no promises. YIKES! To bad someone couldn't come up with a .410 semi that is reliable.
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I have never had problems with my bps or wingmaters in 410 and the skeet 870 must have tons of rounds fired also the 1100 410 semi's have been reliable for me over the years Only complaint is how far they toss hulls
I would give one another chance
Cheers
 
struff55 said:
X2 on the model 42 winchesters I have 2 one with 26"bbl full choke and the other has a 26" bbl mod choke use them for ruffies barn yard piegeons gophers on the run early season sharptails later on the sharpies flush at longer distances the 410 comes a little short so to speak . They are a lot of fun to shoot.
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Don't have one yet but have my eye out. I've never heard anyone complain about a M42, except to say they don't have one.
 
I once owned a Mossberg 500 E in .410. It simply refused to feed Imperial 3" magnums. It fed everything else without a hitch. I took a closer look at the ammo and the Imperial 3" magnum had a fold crimp (plastic, I am not that old) and the hull mouth had six distinct corners to it. No rounded end profile like it should to aid feeding. The gun was deadly on wilderness grouse with Remington 2 1/2" #6 game loads. They are fun to shoot for sure.

Darryl
 
Used a 410 for years for grouse. I stopped because of concern ( we hunt in very heavy cover ) about crippling birds. Went to a 16 gauge and never looked back. The 410 has its place but its knock down power is very compromised in heavy cover situations. Since starting with the 16 gauge I now take shots that were instinctfully passed on before with the 410. The 410 can be very effective but the margin for error is dramatically reduced. It is probably a sales volume thing but never could understand why the shells cost so much more than 12's or 20's?
 
410 has its place. Head shots on standing "Captain Morgan" grouse, bunnys, and pests. Someone has to be a excellent wingshooter or be lucky to do anything with a 410 on flying birds. The other thing is the lack of shot capacity, any shot larger than say #6 simply has too few pellets and a bird or bunny can fit right in the pattern.
Who hasnt started or started a kid on a 410 single for small game. If used within limitations the only draw back is the price of ammo.
 
I have a SxS (actually is wifes) and have had many singles. Has any one tried the Weatherby auto in 410 yet? looks like fun gun. A couple guys at skeet range school me often with there 410 O/U, & I shoot a 12.
 
I dont even know why ammo companys load 410 bore ammo with shot bigger than 7 1/2 shot. Maybe for rabbits and such. IMO pattern densities get pretty thin even withh 7 1/2 shot. I shot 8 or 8 1/2 shot 2 1/2 inch roll yer owns on birds at times....ruffies, crows, magpies and such. Was a real blast hunting snipe with the 410 bore but no-tox requirements ruined that...
 
I have a Browning M42 and a Browning Citori white lightning o/u in .410. I shoot a lot of birds over pointing dogs, and find the .410 OK for close shots with small shot, 7-1/2 for huns and ruffed grouse, and 6 for the bigger stuff like pheasant and early season sharptails. The main handicap for the .410 is that with the "standard" full choke most people must use it like a rifle and shoot sitting birds or miss entirely. I shoot quickly on flushed birds, and with an open choke, Skeet, IC or at most Modified, it is deadly within 30 yds. on flying game. The .410 will never be an effective 40 yd or longer range bird gun. Patterns go to hell very quickly.
 
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