Looking for lowdown on 410's
- Thread starter Artie Fufkin
- Start date
.410's are great for hunting some of the smaller upland game. Examples include Hungarian Partridge, Ruffed Grouse, Snipe, and rabbits and hares. A .410 will hit just as hard as another gauge (using the same size shot and a similar load), but typically offers fewer pellets. If a shooter consistently missed or only caught the edge of the shot pattern with a 12 gauge, the same shooter would probably miss consistently with a .410. On the other hand, a shooter who typically hits in the center of the pattern wouldn't notice any difference using a .410 (other than possibly fewer pellets in the bird/bunny).
The most compelling reasons to use .410's are:
The most compelling reasons to use .410's are:
- light, easy carry due to lighter gun as well as lighter shells
- more challenging (sometimes it adds to the enjoyment of the hunt if we tip the odds a little more in favor of the prey)
- faster handling (especially in the case of Snipe, that can turn on a dime)
Iron Glove
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Hope and Tulameen
Straightshooter pretty well says it all.
I have 5 various 410's, they are readily available for reasonable prices in the used market.
My wife is quite petite and recoil shy but she finds the 410's very easy to handle for grouse, etc. Thet are just fun guns to shoot, make a good introduction to newbies with the caveat that they are harder to actually hit something with.
The nice thing about 410's on a grouse is they don't blow the damn bird to pieces at close range like a 12 or 20 will do.
Great bear defence guns.
I have 5 various 410's, they are readily available for reasonable prices in the used market.
My wife is quite petite and recoil shy but she finds the 410's very easy to handle for grouse, etc. Thet are just fun guns to shoot, make a good introduction to newbies with the caveat that they are harder to actually hit something with.
The nice thing about 410's on a grouse is they don't blow the damn bird to pieces at close range like a 12 or 20 will do.
Great bear defence guns.
.410's are extremely popular regardless of quite a bit of bad press it gets. They're just plain fun, mild mannered and light recoiling. If you ever went out in the middle of winter for bunnies, you will see just how pleasant this bore is when you're out freezing your hands, face and nose and need to pull the trigger! They are for me the ultimate close range brush gun for small game like partridge and bunnies. Those that complain about it are probably bad shots to begin with and need the big wide swath a 12 with open chokes can deliver.
The only drawback as far as I'm concerned is it doesn't have the flexibility of the 12,16 or 20 for big game and migratory birds. Otherwise is a fun little shotty!
The only drawback as far as I'm concerned is it doesn't have the flexibility of the 12,16 or 20 for big game and migratory birds. Otherwise is a fun little shotty!
+1.straightshooter pretty well says it all.
The nice thing about 410's on a grouse is they don't blow the damn bird to pieces at close range like a 12 or 20 will do.
.410's can be a love / hate relationship. Skilled wingshooting with a .410 is difficult because of poor patterns, diminished range and the need for discipline when handling a lightweight gun. Just look at the scores in competitive skeet - they stay nearly the same from 12 gauge down to 28, but drop off rapidly with the .410, and that from shooters using heavier, purpose built skeet guns. Throw in a light weight hunting gun and you can have some frustrating days in the field if you are not right on top of your game. On the other hand, a successful day afield with a .410 is very rewarding!
.410 hunting shotguns come in two varieties - inexpensive single shots or pumps (Remington has an auto), or pricier double guns. While the inexpensive models are great for shooting grouse out of trees or on the ground, for wingshooting the double is a distinct advantage. On the used market it is possible to find scaled frame .410 SxS's from Basque or Italian makers for a somewhat reasonable cost. For a new gun, look at the CZ / Huglu Bobwhite model.
Another option is to look for a 28 gauge gun. You get better patterns and more range while retaining light weight and low recoil. The aforementioned Bobwhite uses .410 barrels on a 28 gauge frame, so why not just get the 28?
Don't get me wrong, I like and shoot the .410, just be aware that it has its drawbacks and make sure that you use the right tool for the job.
Just my $0.02.
Sharptail
.410 hunting shotguns come in two varieties - inexpensive single shots or pumps (Remington has an auto), or pricier double guns. While the inexpensive models are great for shooting grouse out of trees or on the ground, for wingshooting the double is a distinct advantage. On the used market it is possible to find scaled frame .410 SxS's from Basque or Italian makers for a somewhat reasonable cost. For a new gun, look at the CZ / Huglu Bobwhite model.
Another option is to look for a 28 gauge gun. You get better patterns and more range while retaining light weight and low recoil. The aforementioned Bobwhite uses .410 barrels on a 28 gauge frame, so why not just get the 28?
Don't get me wrong, I like and shoot the .410, just be aware that it has its drawbacks and make sure that you use the right tool for the job.
Just my $0.02.
Sharptail
That was my decision after playing with the .410 on the clay fields. The 28 does everything better. The only downside to it is that 28 gauge shells are harder to find and when you do there isn't as much variety even compared to the .410.
If your not planning to shoot it a ton, maybe look at getting a cooey single shot, i think the model is 840, they are light, decently made and not expensive. could probley find one that will clean up nice for less than 100 bucks.
I hunted rabbits for years with a 410, and it's perfect for the job. I would suggest using a Full choke as I found other choke sizes to open too fast and leave gaps in the pattern with shot sizes #4, 5, and 6's (which I found 5's to be the best, and in Remington Express Ammo).
Awsome...
I am actually in a toss up between a .410 and a 20 gauge for rabbits, squirrels and grouse in Ontario. I am looking for a nice light gun to carry for small game that I intend on eating. Take a look at the New England Arms Pardner single shot, its a nice gun for $150 new.
What should I get a .410 or 20 gauge???
I am actually in a toss up between a .410 and a 20 gauge for rabbits, squirrels and grouse in Ontario. I am looking for a nice light gun to carry for small game that I intend on eating. Take a look at the New England Arms Pardner single shot, its a nice gun for $150 new.
What should I get a .410 or 20 gauge???
In regards to gauges, I would get both a 410ga and a 20ga. The 20ga for squrrel and grouse. Then later in winter when hunting rabbits use the 410.
I found the 20ga too heavy of a hitter on rabbits, but just right on squrrels with a full choke if you have tall trees in your area. When you flush a grouse in the bush, the 20ga Full also works nice (if it is a close shot just let the bird fly out a little further). Shot size again I like #5 and #6 in the Rem Express.
The 410 is a bit light on squrrels unless the tress are not that tall. For grouse it's o.k but the smaller pattern can nock down a wounded bird and unless you have a dog, a wounded gross in the bush without snow is a very hard bird to locate.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I use a 410 for skeet , to keep my shotgunning sharp for hunting.
I have used it on occasion for partridge , but MUCH prefer a 28 guage for the reasons given, but my goto shotgun is a 20O/U.
I use this gun for everything fro ruffies to geese and everything in between.
My 28's do as well for upland , however, if you are not handloading, ammo is pretty much 1/2 the cost for 20 gauge!
You can get a 512 Savage Turkish made) in 20 or 28 for about $550, and they shoot well for a "weekend hunter" - I would not want to use one for 200 skeet birds every weekend though....
Cat
Iron Glove
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Hope and Tulameen
Used Mossberg bolt actions with an adjustable choke are pretty common for $100 - $150. Reliable, basic guns.
If you are looking for a real sweet, compact and light 410, check out the Yildiz folder. New @ $220.
The single shot NEF's, Rossi's, etc. are solid, basic guns, used maybe $100, new up to $200.
Yildez
I did hold that Yildez single shot in .410 and my god was it ever light! That is like a 3.5lb gun and felt almost weird to hold and shoulder. Is it a good quality gun for $220?
I was also looking at the NEF Pardner single shot, but it seems like the new ones dont have the case coloured receiver anymore or as nice of wood, also they have a plastic trigger guard. Anybody held a new Pardner lately??
Does anyone else make a nice single shot .410, 3" with a 26" full choke barrel brand new?
I did hold that Yildez single shot in .410 and my god was it ever light! That is like a 3.5lb gun and felt almost weird to hold and shoulder. Is it a good quality gun for $220?
I was also looking at the NEF Pardner single shot, but it seems like the new ones dont have the case coloured receiver anymore or as nice of wood, also they have a plastic trigger guard. Anybody held a new Pardner lately??
Does anyone else make a nice single shot .410, 3" with a 26" full choke barrel brand new?
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