question for small game hunters with .410 ?

Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Haha, good one. The .410 can be made to perform at a level similar to the 28. It will not run side by side with it but with a good gun with chokes optimised for the loads it can come close enough that most people wouldn't notice a difference, I also have to add with shot sizes larger than 7's the 28 has the edge, but not that far and away edge most people give it.

The problem with .410's is that most are cheaply made with chokes that are way too tight. The higher operating pressure of the .410 tends to deform more pellets and cause poorer patterns, but good choke and barrel geometry can alleviate alot of those problems.
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I hand load extensively for both the .410 and the 28, and i have to disagree with your thoughts about the 410 getting close to the 28, unless you are talking about a full house load with the 410 against a standard load for the 28 - 11/16oz 3" for the 410 and 3/4oz, 2 3/4" for the 28.
That is hardly a proper test, as you can get the 28 all the way up to 1oz if you wish.

Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
I hand load extensively for both the .410 and the 28, and i have to disagree with your thoughts about the 410 getting close to the 28, unless you are talking about a full house load with the 410 against a standard load for the 28 - 11/16oz 3" for the 410 and 3/4oz, 2 3/4" for the 28.
That is hardly a proper test, as you can get the 28 all the way up to 1oz if you wish.

Cat
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Cat, My argument is only sound if you compare a full house .410 to a standard .410, much the way people argue that 28 can approach a 20. As far as patterns go though, I'm sure you will agree that it is possible to produce reasonable patterns with a .410.

As far as the 1 oz 28 loads go, I have never seen them pattern very well.

I just meant to illustrate that the .410 is not some sort of popgun that you cannot use effectively on birds. If someone sends me a few boxes of Classic doubles .410 4's I will take them goose hunting.
 
Well!

Thank you very much to all of you for your good comments, it is really appreciated.
So all in all, it looks like that the .410 requires some good skills to be efficient- anyways you can have the best gun in the world....it is the shooter who makes the differences right?-
I forgot to mention that I am from Quebec and here the woods are quite dense compared to some other areas in the other provinces, so size and weight is important for me, since a lot of you do not favor the .410 -and I am a newbie..so.. you get the picture I am not good :) - i guess i will look into the .20 or a regular .12

Anyways, again thank you for your help guys!
P.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Cat, My argument is only sound if you compare a full house .410 to a standard .410, much the way people argue that 28 can approach a 20. As far as patterns go though, I'm sure you will agree that it is possible to produce reasonable patterns with a .410.

As far as the 1 oz 28 loads go, I have never seen them pattern very well.

I just meant to illustrate that the .410 is not some sort of popgun that you cannot use effectively on birds. If someone sends me a few boxes of Classic doubles .410 4's I will take them goose hunting.
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fair enough, thanks for clearing that up!:)
As far as the 1oz loads go, some guys on the 28 guage socirety sitre use them, but I've never found the need -a 7/8oz load of shot propelled by 30 grains of H110 works perfectly for me in m guns.

Oh, and you don't need factory Classic Doubles 4's, just load up with #4 Nice shot - but THAT is for another topic!:D
I still would not recommend a new shooter take out a 410 for hunting ,however.:cool:
Cat
 
I have a marrachi o/u skeet skeet 410 I break an average of 20 /25 on the skeet range. I use a savage 22-410 for squirrel n grouse and some bunny hunting when I'm walkin g without my hounds. Its a full choke and a 3" #5 will put down any small game inside 30yards. A 410 is a challenge but I hunt and shoot for fun not to kill a rabbit a 100yards away or break 25s all day. I love the 410 o/u I have 12 20 and 28 ga barrels as well all weigh the same and when others shoot them the scores drop as the ga gets smaller. If I could sneak another gun past my gf I'd be. Cz bobwhite in 410 sxs. Handles great has a straight stock and on a baby frame weighs next to nothing and its only bout 1000 bucks
 
We do A LOT of cottontail hunting in front of beagles. The covers we hunt are thick and the shots are close. I've used a .410 for years and have not felt handicapped whatsoever (rabbits are not that fast in the thick stuff). Having said this, I'm looking forward to trying out a nice, light 12 ga. SxS that I just picked up.

As far as grouse go, a .410 is fine for potting them on the ground, but for flushed grouse I would NOT use a .410. Try shooting skeet with a .410 and you will see what I mean.

IMO, weight and action type are more important considerations where the covers and there is lots of walking. This is where a light break action gun shines. You will also appreciate the convenience and safety of a break action if your hunting involves frequent unloading, such as when crossing fences and handling dogs.
 
I have hunted birds for many years using springer dogs, springer is not a pointer its a flushing dog,the birds get up quick and give you good shots most of times.I have used 12,16,20 & 28ga but you can have them all, but not my pump 3" 410. I got sick at looking at birds that where not eatable with 100 to 200 7.1/2 shot in them. I shoot partridge in air as far and farther than any 12ga 20ga ETC I use 3" #, 6 and second shots are # 4 and beleive me you can knock down birds far with # 4 shot and often get what I call A birds no pellets in the breast. I have gone to bird farms everyone using 12ga or 20ga 3" shells on pheasants, I have yet to miss one with my 410 3" they go strait up and strait down.
easy shooting compared to ruffed grouse hunting.
manitou
 
manitou210 said:
I have hunted birds for many years using springer dogs, springer is not a pointer its a flushing dog,the birds get up quick and give you good shots most of times.I have used 12,16,20 & 28ga but you can have them all, but not my pump 3" 410. I got sick at looking at birds that where not eatable with 100 to 200 7.1/2 shot in them. I shoot partridge in air as far and farther than any 12ga 20ga ETC I use 3" #, 6 and second shots are # 4 and beleive me you can knock down birds far with # 4 shot and often get what I call A birds no pellets in the breast. I have gone to bird farms everyone using 12ga or 20ga 3" shells on pheasants, I have yet to miss one with my 410 3" they go strait up and strait down.
easy shooting compared to ruffed grouse hunting.
manitou
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You probably get some birds with your 410 and the ones you do bag are probably more edible. "I shoot partridge in air as far and farther than any 12ga 20ga ETC" that's a stretch! This A birds thing:confused: could just as well been one #6 in the gut and one through the foot and a fly away to die:mad: What I think of your post in general?:puke:
 
My god,If anyone is putting 1 to 2 hundred pellets into a game bird, one needs to get more than 3 feet away from the bird and get rid of the extra full turkey choke. Seriously if that is anywhere near what the poster has found for pellet count please try cylinder or skeet choked 12s, 20s or 28s.
 
planemaker said:
My god,If anyone is putting 1 to 2 hundred pellets into a game bird, one needs to get more than 3 feet away from the bird and get rid of the extra full turkey choke. Seriously if that is anywhere near what the poster has found for pellet count please try cylinder or skeet choked 12s, 20s or 28s.
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Naw:D It's just a case of manitou210 taking a little liberty to enhance his story telling ability. :D
 
Manitou 210 just wants to show hes an "expert" with a 410.

Ive seen it written too many times that the 410 is for experts, so a few want to jump on the band waggon and suddenly become an expert bird hunter cause they have a 410. Ha Ha!!.. Ive got news for you...

The whole concept of a "410 is for expert shots" only, is bull poop.

Dont listen to it, for any bird on the wing, they dont deserve it.

!2 or 20 ga is my choice with open bore.
You have pattern density at the medium ranges that most birds will be shot. :cool:
 
I do all of my shotgunning with the 20gauge or the 28gauge both Citoris.Either does fine for upland birds,but I prefer the 20 gauge for skeet shooting,because 20 gauge target loads can be found for much cheaper prices.I really have no desire to own a 410,now that I own a 28.
 
Wow what a war. I don't think a .410 is the best by any means. Mine was a first kid's shotgun. It served me fine over the years... I still use it because it's fun and my first shotty.

I now have a much harder time putting down my Mossberg 500 nowdays. Once in a while I will take my old Cooey .12 the I restored for $hits and giggles...OUCH she is cranky!

Are there better choices yep there is...pick a gun that suits you and hit the bush and enjoy. There were times in my life where I thought a daisy .BB gun was the best gun in the world.

I have seen crime scene photos of gunshot victims who where shot with a .410 for a little gun it a big mess they survived because it was #6 shot, but they didn't go to the hospital on their own steam! I have also met a .12 guage victim shot with #7 his chest looked like KFC chicken skin and he has a portable poop purse now...one of those bags...the name escapes me right now. My point is they all go BANG!...Some BANG! better than others.

Quit reading and get out in the woods!... My best advice Smells Like Powder.

If you live out west with the big bears get the .12 or .20 guage... I live in NS we only have blackbears... All I have to do is show my .410 and run while the bear laughs at me.

And don't worry once you buy one gun you'll be a junkie like the rest of us real soon. I tried going to rehab but my therapist told me" do what makes you happy!" So I went back to the gun shop...Worst advice ever....Ugh!

Cheers
J
 
stubblejumper said:
You only need to shoot a few rounds of skeet with each of the four gauges to see the 410s limitations.
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A three gauge skeet set taught me the limitations of the .410 and the appeal of the 28 gauge. :)

It's one thing to use the cripple stick on targets. Game is another issue.
 
Smells like Powder said:
Hi all,

I was wondering which shotgun in cal .410 would be best according to your experiences in the woods for bunny and partridge hunting (small game in general)?

break action vs pump action
handling, weight etc..
multiple type of shells accepted...
pros/cons...
price...

a lot of my friends try to convince me that it is the best caliber to preserve the meat on small games (?)
thank you very much for your answers

Powder
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I hunt patridge with a 12G, never wasted any meat. And guess what, its cheaper to use a 12 g :p
 
Claybuster said:
The .410 hasn't earned the title "cripple stick" without good justification.
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It is only a cripple stick if you use it improperly, the magical 28 isn't far behind if you look at the numbers.

If all goes to plan I will be shooting a nice little Yildiz .410 double for early season Canadas next year.
My goal is a limit of Canada Geese with every one of the commonly available shotgun gauges.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
It is only a cripple stick if you use it improperly, the magical 28 isn't far behind if you look at the numbers.
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All gauges become cripple sticks or as I prefer idiot stick. An idiot stick needs an idiot to make an idiot stick.
What numbers are you talking about?

If all goes to plan I will be shooting a nice little Yildiz .410 double for early season Canadas next year.
My goal is a limit of Canada Geese with every one of the commonly available shotgun gauges.
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Good luck! But I do hope that it not just a case of ego against one of the most magnificant of game birds.
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Turkeyslayer1300,
Why do you need to shoot a limit of Canadas to prove your point? Shoot one or two and call it a day for the 410. No one will think less of you.
 
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