Actually working .410s

[Gordon]

Warning : these guns are actually used to kill things, and often!
As the suburban sprawl moves sissy neighbors closer to my home these last 10 years (now the closest on is 300 yards but they are pretty cool) I find my self using the lowly .410 more these declining years. To KILL things that is, not games or zombie fantasies.
To wit: the most used load lately is the 1/2 oz of #12 shot (Rio) that insures I can shoot toward the neighbors if need be, it simplifies things and the ground squirrels are wounded pretty darned terminal to 150 feet which is a distance I CAN get! I shoot them with the silver recievered Investarms O/U which is modified and full and shoots to the bead!
The old single shot has fiddle back Japanese Maple stained like walnut, the Japanese were sure trying to impress the Americans in the 1950s when they brought in this copy of the best American single shot .410 . It is a Lazer beam to 40 yards with #6, but has got a lot of barn vermin with 1/2 oz of #9 (now #12 ). I keep this one loaded next to patio door!
The two M-6 scout .410s; The Stainless stock one my son uses for hiking , he puts it in the pack. He is out side CONUS so I guess I can do the same! It is a .22 Hornet.
The parkerized M-6 is also a Hornet. I have used this to slaughter livestock at least 10 years. I find it perfect for the task,one puts the red dot on the ear hole and vwectors into the brain stem. The head liquifies and the eyes bulge, the legs turn to jelly and there is no twitching except maybe a kick or too from nerve impulse. I tried it with .410 Breneke 1/4 oz. slugs too.Works about the same! This is a killer rig for one adversary with in about 25 yards!
Notice the spiffy belt full of .410. I shoot more .410 for non sport than any other these days

 

[cowmeateater]

if only the ammo was cheaper

 

[rmuzz]

Nice collection of .410s there! I've always had an attraction to it, and picked up my first one only a month or two ago... a little bit beat up Baikal sxs, not nearly as classy as your guns but still pretty enjoyable to shoot. I like those Scouts, maybe someday I'll try find room for another .410. I haven't done much hunting with mine yet, but plan to have it with when I go to the cabin. I do wish that it was cheaper to shoot, but you have to pay to play I guess.

 

[pps]

I love the 410 for the same reasons you describe. Dropped 20 starlings over the weekend to keep the little suckers out of my berries.

 

[chas08]

The only .410 I own is an H&R Tamer. When it's not in my truck, it's in my boat. Mostly used to kill snakes. A fun little gun.

 

[Bud Tugly]

The .410 can be a fun gun to shoot. The mild recoil and muzzle blast means you don't have to worry about developing a flinch and the guns are generally light and easy to carry.

With the right loads they can be deadly on grouse, rabbits, and other smallish critters out to 25-30 yards, but they definitely have limitations. Too bad the shells are so costly, but maybe if more people got into using them the price would come down.

 

[6x6pinz]

Have you really checked the price lately of 410 shells? I was at a Dick's sporting goods store. They had 12ga for 8.49 a box and 410 for 8.79. I don't see that much of a difference. I reload my 410's so the cost is even better.

 

[MCgunner]

I only have one, a 10" Contender, but it's fun.

I killed my first doves with a JC Higgins .410 pump. I traded that old gun for a M340 Savage in .30-30 when I was a kid. Sorta wish I'd kept it all these years. It killed a lot of small game, too.

 

[DrLaw]

Guess I don't rate

Family hand-me-down. Ward's Westernfield .410 bolt action tube magazine (feeds like a .22). Only has taken 5 of 25 clay birds at last count.

Only shotgun I own. Now, pistols and rifles, that's another story.

The Doc is out now.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Seems like the .410 would be the most cost-effective "gauge" to reload, with its small shot charges. I've read about making all-brass shells from blown-out .303 Brit cases, then using large pistol primers and building loads the old-fashioned way.

It could be a fun project, and a great way to introduce a son, grandson, or nephew to reloading.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[publiuss]

Love .410's. I was given a H&R single shot when I was 10 that accounted for untold amounts of squirrels and doves. Moved to a .410 870 next then to a 20ga 1100. Didn't like the 20 so I went back to the .410 until I got a 12ga. I have come full circle and use a .410 Rem. 11-48 for dove hunting.