.410 vs steel and clay

jewraffe

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Wondering what your opinions are on a .410 shotgun for 3 gun shoots. Would a .410 have enough to put down the steels, and what are they like for shooting trap/skeet. I am trying to get my wife involved in the 3 guns as she loves to shoot; just not shotguns. She had tried my 12, a friends 20 and just shakes her head no. Any thoughts/suggestions.
 
I think 20 gauge is the minimum for most 3 Gun Events, I know for sure it is in IPSC and USPSA.

If you used #4 and #6 shot, and hit the steel squarely, it will fall, you just don't have much wiggle room for being off target slightly. I also think most, if not all .410 are full choked, which will give you tight patterns for steel, but will be problematic for shooting flying clays, unless you spend a pile of time practicing. .410 shells are much more expensive than 12 or 20 gauge as well, $15-$17 for a box of 25.

There are .410 slugs, but they aren't that easy to find, and I have never seen a Buckshot loading for .410, they may exist, but I bet they aren't cheap.

Some things to think about.
 
Maybe part of the problem is the fit of the gun to the shooter.
Did you try her with a youth model 20ga?
No shame in her using a PAST recoil reducer if it makes her more comfortable.
 
Hmmmmm.....how about a semi?

She would be somewhat restricted due to mag capacity but the action will take some of the kick out of the recoil.

12 or 20 in a youth length stock?


John
 
ht tp://www.cabelas.com/p-0060849216730a.shtml

.410 buck. Three pellets of 000.

Reading the comments, it seems they are hard to find.

I have a few boxes of .410 slug in my cabinet. Although, I have never fired them. Maybe I will take a box or two out with the mossberg and do a range report.

I am not familiar with 3 Gun, but from my extensive use of the .410 for potting grouse I can't see it being effective. As for the skeet field, the .410 is for professionals. You need to master the game with a 12 gauge and then move down in gauges.
 
.410 is kinda becoming an obsolete round, which is kinda sad as it's a great calibre for short distance upland hunting. In the skeet/steel areas, though, it's probably not up to snuff. I'm not experienced with the steel shooting, but as far as skeet and sporting clays goes, the only people using .410 are either the extreme beginners, who someone started off on a .410, or the absolute experts that use .410 for the challenge.
 
Shotguns are all about "fit"
They really don't kick much, unless they don't fit.
Then they kick like mule.
As posts have already stated; try a gun thats properly fitted and I'm sure she will enjoy it.
As for the .410, use it on the grouse.
My 2 cents
 
Doesn't work on steel. I tried and it wouldn't knock anything down - much to the delight of my buddies watching.
 
thanks for the info guys. I guess I need for her to come trap shooting with me a couple of times and see if we can borrow some guns to let her try. Or is there a way to "fit" the gun to her without firing it? Can someone explain a "PAST recoil reducer " to me. I will google it as well.
 
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kick reduction

I suggest you first measure her length of pull.

After that, you have a few choices.

1. I just read some recommendations for blackhawk stocks here on CGN, apparently TSE sells them. They might be a consideration for you. A 20 gauge with one would have minimal recoil.

ht tp://www.blackhawk.com/catalog/Shotgun-Stocks,165.htm


2. you could get a limbsaver recoil pad (grindable version) and cut the stock / mount.

3. A gas operated semi will also be much easier to shoot.

4. By the way, the PAST thing is a shoulder pad you strap on. It is effective as well. They are not very expensive, but well regarded.
 
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Wondering what your opinions are on a .410 shotgun for 3 gun shoots. Would a .410 have enough to put down the steels, and what are they like for shooting trap/skeet. I am trying to get my wife involved in the 3 guns as she loves to shoot; just not shotguns. She had tried my 12, a friends 20 and just shakes her head no. Any thoughts/suggestions.

A semi=auto that fits he with very light target loads would be your best bet. If she doesn't like it you have a new gun!

Cheers
 
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