To buy a .410 or not to buy a .410

Sage advice skwerl but I think the thread is only 11 years old so I'll put in my 2 cents worth!

I always had a love/hate relationship with 410's.
Sometimes I like the challenge using the 410 for sporting clays but I find that if there are a lot of targets that are beyond 25 yards or so then it just doesn't get enough lead out there, the 28 is a significant jump up in effectiveness. I leave the IM and F chokes in my over and under 410 because anything more open just doesn't get enough pellets on the target.
 
Falconflyer said:
Sage advice skwerl but I think the thread is only 11 years old so I'll put in my 2 cents worth!

I always had a love/hate relationship with 410's.
Sometimes I like the challenge using the 410 for sporting clays but I find that if there are a lot of targets that are beyond 25 yards or so then it just doesn't get enough lead out there, the 28 is a significant jump up in effectiveness. I leave the IM and F chokes in my over and under 410 because anything more open just doesn't get enough pellets on the target.
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Got the correction , thnkz.

I've not shot a 28 ga but after watching some utube me thinkz
it would be a phantastik gun.
 
Bob Brister’s book ‘The art and science of shotgun shooting’ had an entire chapter on the magic of 28g shotguns. I respected anything and everything he wrote about shotguns and that started me (happily) on the quest of 28g toys. Probably a dozen or so by now and no regrets. Yes it was an old thread but we all chimed in, obviously the 28g is still highly revered.
 
wolf19534 said:
Has anyone here have any input inre; the new Chiappa Double Badger ?
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I bought one a few years ago. 22 mag/410 Handiest darn thing around the acreage. I’ve used it for gophers, skunks, a badger, grouse, magpies and one coyote that got a bit to brave.
And I found some 22mag shot shells a while ago that seem to work good for pigeons in the quonset too. Haha
 
Hunter7 said:
Or still better yet, step up to a 20 gauge and be happier than with either the 410 or 28g.😉
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I shoot .410, 28ga and 20ga the most with 12ga on rare occasions. For ME, it’s a toss up between the .410 and 28ga (both sxs hammer guns) as my favourite but the 20ga, (sxs hammerless 😩) while I like it a lot, still come in third for preferred shotgun gauge, 12ga a distant 4th. Gauge selection is dependant in what you plan to shoot with it. Example, .410 is perfect for skeet and some upland but a poor choice for geese. 3 1/2” 12ga might be a good choice for geese but not the best choice for skeet.
 
Hunterforlife said:
Ever since I started shooting I have always wanted a .410 for rabbits, skunks and just a fun shotgun to shoot. Anybody like or dislike the .410?
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Nope
My 410 O/U is not bad (Charles Daly) had it for 3-4 years now only shoot 15-20 rounds per rabbit season. A 410 makes you a better hunter no matter what they say.

Ivobb
Since 1967
 
At one point in time I had shotguns in 10g-12g-16g-20g-28g and 410.
I sold a lot of firearms and now only have 12g-16g and 28
But even when I owned them all I only mostly used two, the 12g for waterfowl and the 28 for chickens.
That's all you really need if you think about it but sometimes owning all of them is fun too.

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In Ontario I hunt grouse with a 20 gauge shotgun which can double as a bear, deer, moose gun with slugs ... in Ontario 20 gauge is the minimum diameter bore shotgun you can use for big game ... 20, 16, 12, 10 gauge are legal for big game (bear, deer, moose) ... 24, 28, 32, 410 gauge aren't
 
Grouseman2 said:
In Ontario I hunt grouse with a 20 gauge shotgun which can double as a bear, deer, moose gun with slugs ... in Ontario 20 gauge is the minimum diameter bore shotgun you can use for big game ... 20, 16, 12, 10 gauge are legal for big game (bear, deer, moose) ... 24, 28, 32, 410 gauge aren't
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Are you sure about that? I've always read the regs as 20ga is the smallest you can use when loaded with shot ie buckshot. I've never used and wouldn't use smaller than a 20ga anyway but my take is even a 410 slug is legal.
 
.410’s are great for pests and small game a lot less shot to have to pick out of a squirrel that’s for sure. Close range a buck load is good enough for ole yote should you stumble on one.
 
Grouseman2 said:
In Ontario I hunt grouse with a 20 gauge shotgun which can double as a bear, deer, moose gun with slugs ... in Ontario 20 gauge is the minimum diameter bore shotgun you can use for big game ... 20, 16, 12, 10 gauge are legal for big game (bear, deer, moose) ... 24, 28, 32, 410 gauge aren't
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20 gauge is minimum for big game with shot their is no maximum if you have a 8 bore still good to go. with a slug even in the little .410 you could hunt big game though deer would be my stopping point and about bow range.
 
fwm said:
Are you sure about that? I've always read the regs as 20ga is the smallest you can use when loaded with shot ie buckshot. I've never used and wouldn't use smaller than a 20ga anyway but my take is even a 410 slug is legal.
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A 90gr slug at 1500fps out to 25 yards placed right would do a deer in no problem.
 
I can see a legitimate use for the smaller guns, 410 and 28g in sub gauge competitions but for hunting purposes I personally am not a fan. I own both 410 and 28g guns as well as 20, 12 and 10 gauge. IMO for hunting you are handicapping yourself with a 410 or a 28g. Just my experience and opinion, I know they have a loyal following but I am not impressed. Yes they kill at very short ranges but so will a slingshot. My nickname for a 410 is a “cripple stick” and find the 28g to be a glorified 410. I am referring to upland game hunting not waterfowl. They do not pattern as well or kill as well as a 20g in my experience and if the only reason to buy one is to save weight for carrying purposes there are light weight 20g guns that are available. When I was young my first shotgun was a borrowed Cooey single shot 12g. Kicked like a mule but killed like a bazooka🤣 For me the 20g is the sweet spot for upland hunting but again just my opinion and experience, use whatever you like that works for you.
 
Hunter7 said:
I can see a legitimate use for the smaller guns, 410 and 28g in sub gauge competitions but for hunting purposes I personally am not a fan. I own both 410 and 28g guns as well as 20, 12 and 10 gauge. IMO for hunting you are handicapping yourself with a 410 or a 28g. Just my experience and opinion, I know they have a loyal following but I am not impressed. Yes they kill at very short ranges but so will a slingshot. My nickname for a 410 is a “cripple stick” and find the 28g to be a glorified 410. I am referring to upland game hunting not waterfowl. They do not pattern as well or kill as well as a 20g in my experience and if the only reason to buy one is to save weight for carrying purposes there are light weight 20g guns that are available. When I was young my first shotgun was a borrowed Cooey single shot 12g. Kicked like a mule but killed like a bazooka🤣 For me the 20g is the sweet spot for upland hunting but again just my opinion and experience, use whatever you like that works for you.
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A 28g is a glorified 410???
Oh puh lease, a 1 oz load in a 28g will pattern just as good as a 20g
And as for cost well the 28g is darn near half the price of 410 ammo.
https://pdent.ca/product/winchester-super-x-28-ga-2-3-4-7-5-shot-1-oz-25-rnds/

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I beg to differ on that, I thought that as well until I tried it. I bought 1oz loads for the 28g and my 20g still performs better with 7/8 oz loads than the 28 does with 1 oz.
 
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