Why would I want a .410

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NorthBorder

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A little history. A .410 is the first firearm I ever shot and that was near 55 years ago. I still have that gun, it's a Stevens 59B, bolt action. It shoots but it won't cycle rounds thru the magazine tube. Not looking for self defense or, really, even hunting as I haven't hunted with a shotgun in over 20 years. Then it was just doves. I hunt grouse but with a .22LR. I suppose I would have more luck with a .410.
My son took my 12 guage so I am without a shotgun other than the afore mentioned.
Would you hunt turkeys with one?
Specifically, I want a SXS. I was looking at my LGS and they have CZ SXS in about every gauge, and logically I should get a 12 guage. I do have some ammo for that and it is probably much more useful. But curiously I'm drawn to a .410. One thing I do remember is the smell of the spent paper hulls. It was like no other smell and I loved it.
So, should logic prevail and I find a 12 or 20 guage SXS or... a .410? What a happy quandary.
 
In my opinion a 410 makes a good squirrel gun. Light easy to carry, almost no recoil, but patterns tight enough for squirrel unless they are way up in a tree. They CAN be effective for turkey, but you'll probably need to go with one of the aftermarket extra full tubes and shoot the ultra expensive ammo to be effective past 20-25 yards.

I wouldn't want one for shooting upland game on the fly or running shots at rabbit etc. Not enough shoot in patterns too small to be effective unless you're really good. I need to throw a few more pellets downrange and still fill out a decent sized pattern to hit moving game.

To me a 12 is still the best all around. You don't have to shoot heavy, hard recoiling loads. The lighter loads duplicate standard 20 ga loads with better patterns and actually less recoil. But you have the option of using some pretty heavy loads especially if the gun will chamber 3" shells. I don't find much use for the 3 1/2" shells.

If I were set on a SxS I'd probably prefer a 20. Not because of the performance of the ammo, but a 20 ga SxS is going to be lighter and trimmer. And modern 20 ga shells can do a lot of what we used to need a 12 to do. You do have to choose ammo carefully, but a 20 is starting to be a viable turkey gun. I realize this is just personal preference, but a SxS in 12 ga just doesn't have the right feel to it. If I'm shooting a 12 make it a pump or semi.
 
A .410 is, frankly, an oddity. It's maximum payload of 11/16 oz does make it a viable bird gun, but in a scaled gun, that's a hefty load. It is called "The Expert's Gun" to euphemistically highlight the low payload and limited distance that it's payload affords.

A 28 ga offers all of the benefits of a 410 and is more likely chambered in a gun that offers the best trade off between weight and shell payload. And I have rarely seen a crap gun chambered in 28 ga, while they abound in .410.

A 20 ga today is incredibly versatile. While I am not a fan of the 3" 20 ga shell, it provides 12 ga punch on the rate occasions that is needed. Good scaled 20s are a joy to carry. My son hunts geese and duck with a 20 quite effectively and with the advent of TSS shot, I have adopted a youth 20 ga Weatherby SA-08 as my turkey gun.

I have never been a fan of the 16 he and don't believe it has much of a place today, bar nostalgia, given the versatility of the 20 ga.

The 12 ga is still the king of the target guns in my view, the gauge I want for waterfowl, and ideal for wild phezzies. Home defense? Yes.

So, were I in your shoes, I would be looking at CZ USA's Turkish made SxS in 28 and 20 ga. They are attractive, reasonably priced, and will stand up to use as a field gun and the occasional clay sports games.
 
It sounds like you're torn between what you want and what you feel is the better choice. I really like the .410 but I have to acknowledge the shortcomings of the cartridge. I don't consider myself anywhere near an expert but I've bagged plenty of bunnies while they were on the run. Most of the places I hunt only allow a quick shot at a very short distance. That has been my experience with most grouse - I'm within about 15 feet of them when they pop out of the underbrush.

Maybe you should get out and see what the hunting conditions will be like. A nice walk is always good for the mind and soul. If you get out with the intention of observing the habitat and visualize hunting strategies it may help you decide.
 
If the 410 makes you happy, then get the 410. I have 2 12’s and a nice 20. I’ve never owned a 410 and have always wanted one since the first time I hunted with one. My next shotgun, barring a ridiculous deal on something, WILL be a 410. And most likely a single shot.
 
I have a half dozen 12 gauges in pump and auto loader and their great. I use them alot. I also have 2 .410s, a bolt action and a savage over under .410/22 lr. The .410s have taken a bunch of rabbits, squirrels, and various varments around the farm. The grandkids love them and there fun to shoot. Get the .410 if you want it.
 
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I like .410s. I reload .410 shells, and am proud to say that i have limited out on both quail and doves with my .410 870.
Having said that, I agree with the above posters and would urge you to look into a 20ga sxs.
I have, and reload, 28ga and I love shooting it, but it is so similar to a 20ga that its not hardly worth the scarcity and expense of ammo, unless you reload.

One ofmy favorite guns is this savage 24 in .410/.22lr
20180819_164535.jpg
 
I am also looking at a 410 sxs, but already have a 12 o/u and a 20 pump so for me it is just a want.

economically 12 ga is cheaper and easier to find these days, than either 20 or 410 if you reload not as a big a deal.

if I was to only have 1 it would be a 12 due to ammo availability and the flexibility to load light or heavy.

I do love the 20 for HD and the 410 for fun though.
D
 
"Why would I want a .410?"

Because:

They're cute.

The rounds are cute.

They have the capacity to make you a MUCH better shooter.

When you master them, your friends will stand back in awe and amazitude at your ballistic prowess.

In short, they are the opposite of a monster truck.:evil:

Todd.
 
410s are an oddity and a novelty. They have recently been touted as turkey guns because of a new shot type that is hyper niche, ultra expensive, and as such is terrible false economy. Someone got bored or drunk and though that one up. Nonetheless it will work for that. Honestly, the new “410 as turkey gun” craze has put me off to them more than ever before.

I am in agreement that they are an experts gun and NOT a kids gun no matter how many dads want to buy them for their kids. I kind of think they want one for themselves and use their kid as an excuse to get one.

I would also buy a scaled receiver type of 20 gauge. They are not just starting to be a turkey gun. If a 410 is a turkey gun now then a 20 has been one as long as gunpowder has existed. You don’t even really need to choose your ammo that carefully. Get a few different high payload shell options (usually 3”) and pattern away with a few different chokes. I have never turkey hunted with anything else but a 20ga.
 
My rule is autoloaders in 12 gauge, manual actions in 20 gauge. The only real advantage I’ve ever really found in 12 gauge these days is reliable cycling. As far as patterning, I find that much more dependent on the choke and gun, and much less notable between 12/20. I have had absolutely no luck with a .410. I always thought they were cool as a kid but even shooting rabbits I just never found them to affective and ammo is usually 20% the selection at 200% the cost.
 
I went a different .410 route...First year issue Winchester 9410. Rationalized that it would make a great camp/varmint gun as a slug leaving the cylinder choked barrel will be moving somewhere around 1950 FPS. Sadly, I don't believe I've ever shot it.

uWdQo2X.jpg
 
Go for it! I bought this Henry .410 recently because it had beautiful wood. I sold my 410 semi auto but I don't feel under gunned with this one. It will take a turkey if the opportunity comes about. My plan is to hand it down to a future grandson someday after I have played with it a while.

IMG_4833.JPG
 
A little history. A .410 is the first firearm I ever shot and that was near 55 years ago. I still have that gun, it's a Stevens 59B, bolt action. It shoots but it won't cycle rounds thru the magazine tube. Not looking for self defense or, really, even hunting as I haven't hunted with a shotgun in over 20 years. Then it was just doves. I hunt grouse but with a .22LR. I suppose I would have more luck with a .410.
My son took my 12 guage so I am without a shotgun other than the afore mentioned.
Would you hunt turkeys with one?
Specifically, I want a SXS. I was looking at my LGS and they have CZ SXS in about every gauge, and logically I should get a 12 guage. I do have some ammo for that and it is probably much more useful. But curiously I'm drawn to a .410. One thing I do remember is the smell of the spent paper hulls. It was like no other smell and I loved it.
So, should logic prevail and I find a 12 or 20 guage SXS or... a .410? What a happy quandary.
I learned on a .410
A single shot break open should satisfy your itch----Iver Johnson and Stevens made boxcars of them so a good one shouldn't cost you much.
Good luck finding paper .410 shells----I know what you mean about the delightful smell!
Then spend your $$ on a SxS 12. I recommend Spanish or Italian shotguns with double triggers that can handle nontoxic (chrome lined bores).
 
My first gun, an old late 40's Savage model 24 .22/.410 hasn't been fired in about 15 years. The last time it was fired, I took a limit of cottontails and quails in the same day. Only time I'd ever limited out on quail here, where they're nearly non-existent these days.

I'd shot a few pheasants with it years ago too, which were always jumped inadvertently by the beagles. Follow up shots aren't an option. The lack of firepower in comparison is obvious and they can be difficult to shoot well.

Quick swinging, light, short...and if you ever get proficient with one, all your other shotgunning will seem less difficult.
 
I shot competitive skeet back in the 1990’s and 410 is one of the gauges used in competition.

When we moved to our small horse farm, I got a Mossberg 500 in .410 for a critter gun. But I feel the full choke barrel is a bit tight. Maybe, some day I’ll get the barrel modified for interchangable chokes.

Because of skeet, I have mostly 2-1/2” hulls with 1/2oz of shot and that is a real limiter.

Anyway, a 3” .410 shell has almost as much shot as a 28 gauge. Most .410 ‘s are nice and trim.

For now, my Mossberg has been stored away and I am usind a 20 ga Winchester for my critter gun.
 
Never discount a .410 shotgun for defensive action either.

From an 18”+ barrel, the 3-5 pellet 000 buckshot loads out now are no joke and when placed into a goblin’s torso, will solve a great many problems.

I would avoid the .410 handguns though. The short barrels do not give useful velocities to the buckshot. Now if loaded with birdshot for use on snakes, that’s an entirely different matter.

Also don’t discount a good reliable single shot .410. Useful for a wide many game and with practice and proper technique, can be pressed into a fighting roll. Something like the Pardners can be reloaded mighty quick by a skilled user, faster than many might believe.

I’m a sucker for a 20 in a light single or double gun, but the .410 can be very effective.
 
"Why would I want a .410?"

Because:

They're cute.

The rounds are cute.

They have the capacity to make you a MUCH better shooter.

When you master them, your friends will stand back in awe and amazitude at your ballistic prowess.

In short, they are the opposite of a monster truck.:evil:

Todd.
They are great to start the kids/grand kids on too, but for hunting; check local game laws, some game can't be hunted with a 410!
 
I grew up using an old Montgomery Ward Western Field single shot 410 that I took plenty of squirrels, rabbits, quail and a couple of turkeys with. Until I saved enough money to buy my own shotgun, that old single shot was the only shotgun we had to use. I saved up my lawn mowing money and dad took me to go buy brand new Mossberg 500 in 410 for $149. I have been using the 500 for all my small game hunting since about 1985. It has taken plenty of rabbits, squirrels, and quail over the last 36 years and I have used it successfully for dove hunting too.

And even with the current situation with ammo and reloading supplies, it is still way cheaper for me to reload my own 3" 410 shells.
 
Never felt the need for a .410, but when I came across a Rossi sungle shot that looked like brand new at a local flea market, and the seller agreed to take $60 for it, I could think of no reason not to own one. Makes for a good squirrel gun. Also perfect for dispatching woodchucks.
 
i just bought a early spanish 410 double barrel with the same locking lugs like on my browning o/u,s in very nice shape with a walnut stock. i have several boxs with 3/4 oz #6, and 3/4 oz #7.5 shot to patterern.
 
410 is a reloaders dream and a money pit for ammo buyers. Most of them are full choke bordering on extra full. A load of 6 shot will knock a squirrel out of a tree or a quail from the air pretty quickly. 4s are rabbit medicine, and with enough practice and the right choke I absolutely see 410 as a turkey gun at the top end of the spectrum. 410 slugs are adequate for deer provided that range is kept essentially to bow hunting distances, and that the hunter can make the shot. The capability of the gun is absolutely there.

The nice guns are a dream, and the cheap guns are... still cheap. Lightweight, quick handling, easy to point shoot, can be carried all day long. A double is not necessarily something I would jump for based upon weight but in a classic hunting role it would be a fun gun to use, it just adds a bit of weight back into the gun. Now factor in the weight of a box of ammo in your vest, and the amount of room it takes up. Swap each box of 12 ga for a box of 410s and one of the little 6 oz bottles of water and your about even, but you now have a drink, possibly a little snack as well.

I’m absolutely a 410 fan, but also a fan of 16 and 20. 12 is just overkill for most things now because modern ammo has narrowed the gap from small bore to big bore and the big bores are utilizing the same technology to still stand out. It’s almost as if every gauge size has taken a single step up the latter from where it was in the 90s. 410 acts like a 20 did in 1990, and all the others stepped up too. How much do you hear about 10ga these days? It’s all 12ga talk where people used to be swearing by 10s.
 
Like a ton of kids, I started my shotgunning out in a break action .410. I used it on mourning dove, Bobwhites and squirrels for several years.

F39CD2DF-0FB8-4293-BBFA-F931E88079AB.jpeg

The .410, as has been stated several times, is not easy to hit with until you really master the basics. I missed a LOT more than I hit... and that was when .410 shells were plentiful.

I still have one, an 1100 Remington, that I will break out shoot clays on occasion to humble myself. I don’t hunt with it though, I have 28, 20, 16, and 12’s that fit the bill better.

I get the desire to buy one, a nice .410 O/U just looks cool to me :thumbup:.

Stay safe.
 
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