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

dead meat said:
I can't afford to shoot 410 shells. At SC gun show yesterday ammo was $40 to $50 dollars a box
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Man, SFRC has them on sale right now for around $24-$26 per box. Remington and Challenger. Tons left. 9-10 boxes gets you free shipping too. They even have 3" in stock.
 
I am in the process of buying a 410 right now.

The gun is in the mail, due to arrive this week as long as those jerks don't strike.

I bought a bunch of shells yesterday.

My motivation was primarily for the birds.

I go grouse hunting every year with my brother, and last year the only option i had was my remington 870 12g. That was a heavy gun to carry all day, even with a sling, and when i finally had a chance to shoot a bird that was coming at me, the range was too short and there was way too much meat damage. I decided then i needed something smaller and lighter.

The sr410 revolver action i've bought is short and light - half the weight of the 870 - and comes with a holster. When it arrives i'll see how it shoots, but i'm expecting it to be a great carry.

The shells were expensive, but not nearly as bad as the 4570 i have to buy to feed my marlin, so i wasn't that bothered. I work hard for my money and don't have that many other hobbies, so i'm not going to get that worried about having to spend on shells.

While i bought it for the birds, i am thinking it will be worth trying out on some common pests on the property as well. I am in an on-going war with the red squirrels. Currently i use my gamo 950fps .22 pellet gun for them. That works reasonably well, but it's always been inconsistent in its groupings, and so even with the scope i can often miss the shot. I'm thinking the spread of 410 might work better. Also, i have been having an ongoing issue with raccoons trying to destroy my shop. So far my strategy has been to live trap them and then dispatch with cci "stinger" hollow points in my 22. That works fairly well, but i'm always on the lookout for something quicker and more humane. The next size up i own after my 22 would be my 308, and i'm sure not firing that at close range into a live trap. A 410 slug at close range, however, might be just the ticket. I think i will give it a try and see.

Anyway, i'm looking forward to my 410 hopefully arrive this week. It will be useful for birds and probably some pest control as well.
 
I enjoy my 410 for skeet, it's a good day when I run 50 straight. But I really have no other use for a 410. Some people use a 410 to ground swat grouse, but shooting high with a 20 or even 12 gauge results in less pellets in the meat, than shooting center mass with a 410.
 
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I should have known better than to come to CGN asking to be talked out of buying a gun. Lol.

I agree that it would be cool to have ONE .410. Plus the one I'm looking at can be hard to find, which makes it a bit more appealing.

I guess it's no different than the guns I have chambered in .45ACP. I'm only shooting paper, so from a value standpoint there's no logical reason to have anything larger than 9mm. I just enjoy having and shooting .45ACP pistols.
 
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I was looking into one of those or a turkish semi for an Alt for my Henry Axe. I love the 410 for a plinking round, really fun albeit costly. Its a great transition from 22 to 410 shotgun or 9mm rifle and its worked well for women and teens ive brought shooting. Sometimes the 20 just has too much kick and some are timid people.

I got a long barrel revolver years back and it doesnt scratch the itch. the cylinder is too tight for most ammo to drop free after firing.

pump semi or lever is what i'd recommend if looking
 
CanuckShooter said:
I should have known better than to come to CGN asking to be talked out of buying a gun. Lol.

I agree that it would be cool to have ONE .410. Plus the one I'm looking at can be hard to find, which makes it a bit more appealing.

I guess it's no different than the guns I have chambered in .45ACP. I'm only shooting paper, so from a value standpoint there's no logical reason to have anything larger than 9mm. I just enjoy having and shooting .45ACP pistols.
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If you can afford 45 ACP ammo, you can afford 410 shotgun shells!......:)
 
I admit I use my 410s for hunting and skeet
I find the 410 fascinating. I truly enjoying shooting the lil guns. Half oz of shot can be extremely effective if used correctly. Pellet size and choke plays a very important part of how a 410 patterns. Being able to effectively use that pattern says alot about the user

For the op it's not senseless to buy a gun you don't plan to use often as long as you enjoy it when you do use it. Or just enjoy owning it

If Mossberg is your thing check out the combo so you can get both a vent rib barrel and a smooth bore with rifle sights.
Personally I prefer doubles and singles as loading a pump tube is hard on my thumb.

I love my sxs but I find a huge enjoyment from my Stevens 301 turkey 410. I've posted patterns from that turkey gun using a variety of loads

410 ammo has drastically increased in price but still cheaper than most center fire rifles we all buy for fun.

If 65 cents a round is too much stick with rimfire or find another hobby. Shooting is not cheap

Overall the 410 can be some serious fun
 
brybenn said:
I admit I use my 410s for hunting and skeet
I find the 410 fascinating. I truly enjoying shooting the lil guns. Half oz of shot can be extremely effective if used correctly. Pellet size and choke plays a very important part of how a 410 patterns. Being able to effectively use that pattern says alot about the user

For the op it's not senseless to buy a gun you don't plan to use often as long as you enjoy it when you do use it. Or just enjoy owning it

If Mossberg is your thing check out the combo so you can get both a vent rib barrel and a smooth bore with rifle sights.
Personally I prefer doubles and singles as loading a pump tube is hard on my thumb.

I love my sxs but I find a huge enjoyment from my Stevens 301 turkey 410. I've posted patterns from that turkey gun using a variety of loads

410 ammo has drastically increased in price but still cheaper than most center fire rifles we all buy for fun.

If 65 cents a round is too much stick with rimfire or find another hobby. Shooting is not cheap

Overall the 410 can be some serious fun
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410 for $0.65 per round would be alright.

My point was that the utility relative to the price of .410 as a range-only calibre seems pretty low in comparison to other calibres in the same price range. Even compared to much cheaper calibres it's low.

I try to have some rationale behind gun purchases to limit what I buy, but... sometimes, a particular gun or calibre just has that intangible quality that makes it a must have. If I can listen to people tell me why they think it's a dumb idea, and I still want it, it's justifiable. Lol
 
Searched for 40 years for a Cooey 410 and in the interim bought a Turkish one then a Cooey showed up but of course only short shells. Now I have a few more that showed up her and there. Raccoons and skunks fall to them plus butchering use a slug for cows. Getting a 28 gauge was even more of an adventure as one guy scammed me on one .
 
A great beginner's or specialist's shotgun. I like to carry a single 410 when running beagles on hare. Light, fast swinging and doesn't shoot up the game. Many a grouse take with it as well. Someone makes a turkey gun in 410, longer barrel, good out to 40 they say.
 
Arietta said:
If you shoot clay targets a .410 is very good way to learn that you are not as good as you thought you were.
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410 on clays is a humbling experience.

I have a 410 single shot that isn't getting used much since the kids grew up. Also have single shot 28 GA that I use hunting occasionally. 28 GA shells are pricey too.
 
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