Small game hunting caliber : 410 or 20?

GabrielPaquet

GabrielPaquet

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I know we're more into the deer and moose season but I don't have anywhere to go hunting so I guess I'll pass my turn this year. :(

Anyway :) my post is about small games hunting and I don't know which caliber between 20 and 410 I should get for small games hunting like rabbit in the woods and such. I thought of a 16 gauge caliber maybe? Since you can find them for about 60$ used (1 shot usualy) but would it be too strong for small game hunting?

I heard a 20 would be better because I can choose between many different kind of ammos that can create a different size of circle when I shoot?
What about power? Range? accuracy? Price?
My budget is kinda limited, used for around 200$ would be in my price range.

Anybody knows what I should get? I'm lost here :confused:

Thank you all for your kind and generous help! :)
 
your budget is limiting...you could find a 12ga and just use a light load. it's what I do. :) my brother hunts with a 28ga, loves it. expensive to shoot though. same with the 410 and the 20ga. just no where as popular as the 12ga, which makes trap loads, that are cheap, perfect for small game. I've yet to see a grouse or rabbit get away from me.
 
20g. Light enough for the small stuff, but still heavy enough to take ducks and turkeys if need be.

Or better yet just get a 12g and be done with it. Be selective with the load and its not too much at all.
 
I would go with a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 12 ga. The 12 ga is the cheapest to feed and can be used for everything. Of course shot size is crucial.
 
Where I shop 20 and 12 gauge shells are about equal in cost.
Depends on your preferance.

The advantage with the 12 gauge, is big slugs for up close, on critters that may chew on you, and buckshot loads.

Does anyone who uses 410 on a regular basis, please tell the rest of us, of his longer effective range for small game with a full choke?

Of the two you name, I vote 20 for small game at reasonable ranges.

Impeccable timing Gabriel! Yesterday's harvest with the 20:
SAM_1525-1.jpg

One taken @22 yards, and one taken @30 yards.

PS: This shotgun was relatively costly, but other 20s may be had, and alot cheaper than what I paid for it.
 
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I use both but find the 410 becomes less effective after about 20 yards, the 20 with a modified is much more effective past 20 IMHO than a 410 with a full and much better for flushing grouse and larger birds such as Sharptails. 410 works great for stumping grouse at 15 yards or so and the occasional flushing bird, but definately more cripples with the 410 when flushing, in my case the 410 is mainly a magpie and crow/pest gun around the acreage, I would pick the 20 overall for performance and cost of ammo for hunting.
 
the .410 is an experts gun, not much room for error and is best left to someone with experience using it and knows its limitations.

stick with either a 20 or a 12 guage and be happy :)
 
Alright I'll get a 12 gauge, ammos are so easy to find, even wal-mart has boxes of 100 shells for 33$ and I found a deal for a hunting remington 870 that comes with a .303 enfield rifle for 300$ for both in my area.
 
Great choice, I use a 12ga with 7½ shot size and 1 1/8 oz load for grouse. It's fine but I try to aim more for the head area than just on the middle of the bird just to be safe to not mess the meat.

More lighter load exist but the selection of ammo here is terrible so I use what I find.

Have fun!
 
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