If you don't hunt birds, is a .410 completely pointless?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I'm considering grabbing a Mossberg .410 just to have one. More of a novelty than anything really. I don't hunt birds, so it would just be a fun gun to blast away with at the range, and something to let newbies or recoil sensitive people shoot. Buckshot and slugs are pretty neat in a .410.

The downsides are that the absolute cheapest .410 ammo is about $1 per round on sale which is exactly twice as expensive as 12 gauge, and it sucks for shooting clays unless you're really skilled. Plus, Mini-Shells (through a Mossberg with the adapter) seem to recoil about the same, and are the same price.

It's one of the last guns on my "To Buy" list, but now I'm wondering if it's just kind of a dumb, frivolous impulse purchase. I refuse to buy anymore guns chambered in .223 due to the ammo being around $0.65 per round, yet .410 which offers way less utility in comparison still interests me. Kind of odd.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Maybe you bought a .410 and ended up regretting it since it just sits in the safe, or maybe you bought one and are glad you did because it's a hoot. Is .410 a one trick pony?

Thanks
 
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I've always had one, for various things. I've found them useful when I've lived on a farm. I've used them for birds, etc. I've had several as my kids are growing up, as introductions to shotguns.
For an adult who doesn't live somewhere with a lot of birds, they would have limited use. I bought a mec junior. 410 press many years ago so shells cost me next to nothing.
 
.410 has always been more expensive to shoot than 12 ga. I have 3-.410 single shot guns. Great guns for grouse but not sure what the appeal would be for a range gun, except for the low recoil. That being said you can get a decent used one for a reasonable cost so no real break the bank investment if you just want to try one.
 
I have a 12 ga coach gun with 20 ga and .410 chamber adaptors. Don't see the point for a dedicated 410 unless 1) you need it on a farm or for bird/small game hunting, and 2) you can load shells really cheaply.

Even then, you can always download 12 ga shells to mitigate recoil and power.
Just my worthless opinion.
 
4n2t0 said:
Yes, for your stated purpose a .410 is pretty useless.
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Pretty much this. It's a good close range bird getter. But it doesn't have anything going for it for a range gun. I've used them in the past (for hunting) and don't see any reason to go lower in bore size than 28 gauge with a full choke (preferably #4 shot but #6 will do in a pinch). Again, for hunting.

If you're looking for a range toy, with lighter statured shooters in mind, stick with 22lr. You could then move them onto 20 gauge. Ammo is at least accessible and no more pricey than the aforementioned .410 bore. If hunting isn't of primary concern, I'd likely stick to the major calibers. Whether that be shotgun or rifle.
 
CanuckShooter said:
I'm considering grabbing a Mossberg .410 just to have one. More of a novelty than anything really. I don't hunt birds, so it would just be a fun gun to blast away with at the range, and something to let newbies or recoil sensitive people shoot. Buckshot and slugs are pretty neat in a .410.

The downsides are that the absolute cheapest .410 ammo is about $1 per round on sale which is exactly twice as expensive as 12 gauge, and it sucks for shooting clays unless you're really skilled. Plus, Mini-Shells (through a Mossberg with the adapter) seem to recoil about the same, and are the same price.

It's one of the last guns on my "To Buy" list, but now I'm wondering if it's just kind of a dumb, frivolous impulse purchase. I refuse to buy anymore guns chambered in .223 due to the ammo being around $0.65 per round, yet .410 which offers way less utility in comparison still interests me. Kind of odd.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Maybe you bought a .410 and ended up regretting it since it just sits in the safe, or maybe you bought one and are glad you did because it's a hoot. Is .410 a one trick pony?

Thanks
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Never mind the .410 , just get a 12 and shoot trap loads to adjust to recoil and become comfortable with a hvy hitting gun.
Ear plus and eye protection (atgatt) will mitigate some of the blast of a 12 gauge...
There are a myriad of reasons to go with a .410 , but the No.1 reason for a .410 is because Dad or Grandpa took you along and gave it to you to carry along and shoot so as to be able to participate with the big boys and I certainly mean this statement in the most flattering of ways.
No.2 reason is well because it is just fun to hunt with .
Rob
 
Dorian Gray said:
Pretty much this. It's a good close range bird getter. But it doesn't have anything going for it for a range gun. I've used them in the past (for hunting) and don't see any reason to go lower in bore size than 28 gauge with a full choke (preferably #4 shot but #6 will do in a pinch). Again, for hunting.

If you're looking for a range toy, with lighter statured shooters in mind, stick with 22lr. You could then move them onto 20 gauge. Ammo is at least accessible and no more pricey than the aforementioned .410 bore. If hunting isn't of primary concern, I'd likely stick to the major calibers. Whether that be shotgun or rifle.
Click to expand...

Agreed. 22 always for a first time shooter. 410 was just one of the last calibres on my list, but 12ga mini-shells recoil about the same. I think I'm just trying to justify an unnecessary purchase.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Agreed. 22 always for a first time shooter. 410 was just one of the last calibres on my list, but 12ga mini-shells recoil about the same. I think I'm just trying to justify an unnecessary purchase.
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I'm doing the same. An X95 is on my to-buy list, when I've already owned a TAR-21 for a decade. Do I need it? Not in the slightest. Will I buy one anyways? Definitely. Our accusitions are not always rational in this life. And our trip on this rock is short. Things don't always have to be rational. Do what makes you happy.
 
My dad gave me a 410 at 15 and I shot a lot of grouse with it. Other than that, it's been used a couple times to introduce a few lady friends to skeet shooting and now it lives at the farm as a just in case gun. My nephew is almost at the age to be introduced to shooting if he's interested, other than that, it'll probably stay in the safe until it becomes someone else's.
 
I have a half dozen guns in 410, from my grandfather’s single shot to a tactical-cool Keltec bullpup, and love them all. Some are practical and some are “just ‘cause.” Sometimes you don’t need a logical reason. If you’re worried about cost, I got bad news about this hobby…
 
I got into the lowly 410 earlier this year and am glad I did it's a very fun caliber to shoot
loading your own ammo for sure helps but it is not necessary
I use it a lot for getting rid of squirrels it works real good for that
never tried a 28 guage I might have to..
 
.410 is useless for me but don’t let that stop you from buying a new gun, I’ll always be an enabler in that dept.

For the price and versatility of ammo I’ll always be a 12g guy for all around use, for hunting small game 12g and .22 covers 100% of my needs.
 
A novelty caliber IMHO. I've done all my small game hunting with a 20 gauge, or a 12, if that's all I had with me at the time. I'd carry 3" mag 4 shot in case I came into ducks while with my 20, when out for grouse. I did buy a .410 lever action Canik to shoot slugs when they were cheap(er), and I was in the "John Wayne" mood. Accurate out to 50 yds. with plenty of power for deer.
 
I use my Charles Daley 410 o/u for rabbits and having extractors is a bonus my spent shells don't go flying - I just take them out and put them in my pocket.
 
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