what .410 to look for?

[eastbank]

three reminton 870 ex,s, top 20ga middle 28ga bottom 410. eastbank.

 

[fireman 9731]

I have a Stevens pump 410. Not sure of the exact model number right now but it has satisfied my long time urge for a pump 410. I would love to find a reasonably priced side by side.

I also have a Savage Model 24 in 22lr and 410.

But if I could only have one 410 shot gun, it would probably be a an H&R single shot.

 

[Old judge creek]

About 15 years ago I had a shoulder injury that precluded me using a 12 ga gun for a while.

Up on my ranch and especially when prospecting in the high desert a scatter gun is a tool I didn't want to be without, so I decided to give the lowly 410 a tryout. I had very little respect for the 410 in general - bordering on complete disdain.

And while I learned to hunt with a little H&R single shot gun, I've little use for them. SxS or O/U double guns - especially those with double triggers are as fool-proof as it gets IMO. If one side breaks down, you still have the other. Although in the mid 1960s I was once loaned a Stevens 12 ga SxS that was literally held together with (and I am NOT exaggerating here) friction tape and bailing wire and no matter which trigger I pulled, both actions fired within milliseconds of each other :banghead:

Anyway, after years of use from my Stoeger 12 ga Coach Gun having never once failed me following the worse kinds of abuse and accident, I elected to try a Stoeger 410 Uplander model (a 26" barrel SXS choked Full & Full).

Stoeger guns can and do withstand amazing abuse and yet keep on performing.

Today, my little Uplander is a shotgun I'd not want to be without... though my preference would be for shorter barrels I cannot fault this gun because though its longer than I like, I'm more accurate a wing shot with it than with the 12 ga Coach gun. Ya gotta figure sight radius gives an advantage to the 410. I do love that little 410!

The bottom line is that I was simply amazed at what the little pipsqueak can do on a regular basis.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have owned my Mossberg 500 (.410) since 1984 and have never had any problems out of it in all this time. It is my main shotgun for small game. I also own a single shot, over/under, and bolt action in .410

 

[jrbaker90]

I had so many chances to buy a 410 and just haven't. I love the old bolt action mossberg I had a chance to buy mossberg 83 410 for 85$ and I didn't I have kicked myself ever since and I always keep a eye out for one but I haven't see one again

 

[USAF_Vet]

-1 on bolt action .410s.

My stepdad has a Stevens 39a, and maybe it just needed some work, maybe cleaned, I don't know, but it would fail to feed, very easy to short stroke (only bolt action gun I've short stroked), shell lifter would stick, bolt would get stuck closed...

All in all, just a very poor experience with my sample size. I've fired some Mossberg bolt actions in 12 gauge, and a newer Savage (don't recall model numbers) and they felt fine, with the new Savage being the best.

 

[GooseGestapo]

To solve the .410 ammo delema, I found two solutions.
1. I made my own rendition of the Lee Classic loader. I made decapper punch from a piece of 3/8" hardwood dowel and 1" piece of 1/8" metal rod. A primer and wad setter from 3/8" x 5" piece of pvc pipe, and crimp starter using a 7/16" deep socket, and crimp punch from 3/8" bolt. However I've decided I prefer not to crimp, but use a card wad to seal the shot charge. A sharpie scribes the shot description on the card wad for easy ID. I've loaded 1/2 oz to 7/8 oz loads thusly. ( extrapolated reduced loads of powder- conservative on the light side. Patterns kill with lead... ). Favorite powders are #2400, H110, and H-Lil'Gun.

2. 5.0gr of Bullseye in .45LC case and 0.4 oz of shot. Wads again cut from cardboard with Harbor Freight drill operated 7/16" punch. Wonderful snake and small vermin loads for .410 AND .45LC.
NOTES: best .45LC cases for use in break action guns are Starline. The Winchester and Federal can have small rims that fall under ejectors.
Think "shorts" in a .22rf...
I too had a disdain for smaller gauges before I started using them. Using a 12ga or even a 20ga feels like using a .458 Lott or .375, when a .22rf or .223 is all that's needed.
Besides, reloaded .410 costs half or less than 12ga. Shot is $50/bag you know! Fortunately, I've squirreled away close to 200 lbs from "gifted" bags of shot from deceased or retired reloaders. I also have molds for .360" and .375" round ball. Yes, the home brew buckshot badly out patterns the two factory loads I compared it to...

 

[PJSprog]

While I've never really hated the idea of a .410, I've just never bought one. Honestly, I think the cost of ammo has been the primary driver. I really don't do much shotgunning anyway, so it's hard to justify when we already have 3 12ga and a 20ga.

A bolt action would be nice, though.

 

[oneounceload]

1. I made my own rendition of the Lee Classic loader. I made decapper punch from a piece of 3/8" hardwood dowel and 1" piece of 1/8" metal rod. A primer and wad setter from 3/8" x 5" piece of pvc pipe, and crimp starter using a 7/16" deep socket, and crimp punch from 3/8" bolt. However I've decided I prefer not to crimp, but use a card wad to seal the shot charge. A sharpie scribes the shot description on the card wad for easy ID. I've loaded 1/2 oz to 7/8 oz loads thusly. ( extrapolated reduced loads of powder- conservative on the light side. Patterns kill with lead... ). Favorite powders are #2400, H110, and H-Lil'Gun.

Seems like a lot of work when a used MEC can load then faster and more consistently; but if you have the time, enjoy it.............

 

[Sniper66]

I've had some experience with bolt action .410 shotguns. They are hideous things. One was a Mossberg I think and can't remember the other. Don't waste your time and money. I too like the Remington 870 Wingmaster, but they are not cheap. I picked up an old Winchester Model 20, but it would not be for you since it is a single shot...really good gun though. I shoot squirrels with mine when I just want a change. Lots of fun.

 

[Captcurt]

High Standard.

How about an old K410 High Standard? Saw one on GunBroker that looked nice.

 

[Pete D.]

410

i Have had a Mossberg Maverick .410 for a couple of decades. Great little gun. Carries easily.
I also have a Stoeger Uplander SXS Coach gun. It is a little shorter than I like but wonderful in the huckleberries when the brush is tight and the birds close.
I load my .410s on a MEC 600Jr.
Pete

 

[blarby]

I have an old Stevens 33/ foremost 6870 that's a blast, but proving hard to find new extractors for.

I chose to go " New " with the latest, a Mossberg 500 Hunter with a tight full fixed choke, and it patterns well.

Honestly, I chose the Mossberg because it's mechanical points are identical to my other "working" Mossberg shotguns, and have been rewarded as a result.

I'd suggest getting a model that functions like your other guns, and transferring that trigger time on those weapons to your new smallbore adventure. It certainly will cut down on the challenging transition to .410

 

[gunnerh]

Two weeks ago I picked up a Mossburg 500 .410 with vent rib and full choke for $208 at Walmart. Fun little gun, easy to carry and fine for the 4 leg and no leg vermin on my place.

 

[bannockburn]

A bit pricey new but I have always had a hankering for a Mossberg 550 Model HS 410.

 

[pmwizard]

What is the effective range of the .410 versus the 12 ga or 20 ga in shot or slug? I only have a 12 ga mossberg shotgun.

 

[WestKentucky]

Realistically effective range is about the same, however you have a lot less pellets looking for the target. Shot density is your limiting factor in .410, and at about 25 to 30 yards I quit shooting at squirrels. All the .410 I have ever shot though have been full choked guns. Those guns all got inherited by my various uncles, cousins, and my dad. I'm in line for his Topper, but I hope that I don't get it for another 30 or 40 years. He turns 59 this week...might need to fix him up something nice. Would love to take a trip in the squirrel woods like we used to when I was a youngster. Now we have my nephew who would join, he is now 8 years old and chomping at the bit.

 

[eastbank]

i have been thinking of openning up the full choke on my rem 870 express to light full or modified as most shots i have where i hunt are about 20 yds in the brush for rabbits and a little wider pattern wouldn,t hurt. but i still don,t think the 410 is a good beginers shotgun. eastbank.

 

[oneounceload]

but i still don,t think the 410 is a good beginers shotgun. eastbank.

It isn't. And those ill-fitting single shots make it even worse.

 

[JSH1]

It isn't. And those ill-fitting single shots make it even worse.

I keep hearing about ill-fitting single shots. For the life of me I don't see much difference between the fit of my H&R single shot and Mossberg 500 pump. Neither have fancy custom fit stocks but both get the job done.

 

[eastbank]

your not a 10-12 year old kid who has not hunted and who most likely has not been taught or shot much. and after several outtings and not hitting many running rabbits(.410 small pattern) may give up on hunting. in a prefect world dad or a uncle may start the boy early, teaching him the things he needs to know. safe gun handleing, fireing the firearm at targets that are still and moving, allowing him to see the difference in patterns from .410-20ga and 12ga. eastbank.