20 ga. VS .410 for Rabbit/Squirrel

[yzguy87]

I have killed plenty of squirrels with 12 and 20. Shot a rabbit with a 20 and while I personally have never pulled the trigger on an animal with a 410 I have seen both killed drt with the 410. Imo, pick what you want. Both kill!

 

[MCgunner]

Wow.

I think I might be getting a 20 gauge for the little bun buns and squirly squirls that I will be feasting on soon!

Thanks for the replies guys, and happy huntin!

Well, not that you'll be shooting all that much at squirrel and rabbits, not like dove hunting, but when you buy ammo, you'll really appreciate the 20.

 

[Armored farmer]

The .410 can be disappointing due to poor, thin patterns and light payloads. However, rabbits and squirrel are pretty thin-skinned. I enjoy my .410s...but for a game-getter, I would side with the majority and go with a 20ga.

 

[gamestalker]

I've used both for rabbits, and even used .410 for turkey once, killed him. It's more about your skill level than which ga. you use. I out shot several other avid dove hunters with my .410 a few years back, they were using 12 ga..

GS

 

[1911 guy]

the 20 is more versatile, costs less to shoot, usually costs less to purchase the shotgun, has a better pattern and is offered in far more models than the 410. Unless you are a smallbore enthusiast, there is simply no reason to shoot a 410. Even for kids. Start them off with a light loaded 20 gauge.

Now if you ARE into smallbores, great. Buy lots of 410's and 28's. But for which is better? No contest. The 28 performs pretty well and makes up a lot of ground between the 410 and 20, but it's so danged expensive as to be prohibitive unless you reload or have pockets deep enough to support the habit.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I loved my 410 and I would get one. But the 20 is more versatile and the ammo is cheaper.

 

[Sniper66]

I've killed 100s of rabbits and squirrels with a 410. Grew up shooting the 410 and watched many a rabbit tumble as it tried to outrun that single shot Iver Johnson. It is a barrel of fun. My dad always shot a 410 because his tremor made shooting a .22 difficult. Every fall we killed cozens of squirrels followed by many more rabbits as the snow arrived and added quite a few quail and the occasional pheasant. Last year, just for old time's sake, I bought an old Winchester model 20, just to have the fun of shooting the 410 again. I'm 67 and retired now and can shoot any one of several guns whenever I want. And some of those times, I just can't resist that old .410.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Looks like I will be in the market for an H&R/NEF pardner single-shot shotgun in the gauge of 20!

I can't wait to get some squirrels and rabbits to eat them!

 

[Bexar]

Can you buy a .410 barrel for that single-shot?

Sniper66. First gun I ever shot was a Mod 20 .410. Our Dad weaned us on that and he liked being able to look over and see the hammer status. He eventually had it opened to 3 inch from the 2 1/2. Loved that gun and my Brother's son has it now. .410 shotguns bring back a lot of fond memories for a guy who as a six year old (now 60) walking with his Dad hunting rabbits with it behind a brace of beagles.

 

[mudbugmitch]

With the price of .410 shells and it being limited so much for larger game, I'd probably go with the 20 gauge. Using 6 shot, you should be able to fill your pot, every time.
I have used an old single shot .410 forever, using Remington 3" with high brass, it has never failed me.
Good luck and good hunting.