Why get a SxS .410?

[epijunkie67]

Let me start off by saying I'm not much of a shotgunner. I own several but don't shoot skeet or trap. That being said I've recently found theres ...something, I like about a good side by side. Just the feel I guess. Maybe the straight forward all business minimal BS look to them. I don't know.

So I was at the store the other day and I picked up a SxS .410. Light! cheap! Practical? I got to wondering about what I'd use it for and had to ask myself the question. Why get a SxS .410? Besides just wanting one I mean.

I already own a SxS in 12 and 28, a pump 12, and an O/U 28. I even have a single shot 20 and a single shot .410 so I already have ammo. But I was trying to figure out what a .410 could do that a 28 couldn't do better. I realize for a kid the lighter load would be great but I'm an adult man. Anything I wanted to hunt with the .410 I could hunt with the 28 couldn't I? And I've heard all about how great a 28 is for skeet and trap.

So why the .410? And as an incidental, whats the point of .410 buckshot? What the heck are you supposed to hunt with that?

 

[Dave McCracken]

SxS shotguns can be addictive. 410s have little to recommend them except personal preference. Ethical concerns limit them to targets and our smallest game birds and critters.

Get it if you want. But, there's no parallel to ultra light fishing tackle and 410s. Lightly hit game dies slowly...

 

[kudu]

What Dave said on personal preferances is exactly it. You really don't buy a .410 for the need of one, it's the looks and feel of one, and the want. I burn up a lot of .410 shells with my new litle Huglu SxS .410. It's a blast on the skeet range,,and I might use it for birds this fall, but I have a plethora of other shotguns that will work better. Just preferance.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Kudu, is your .410 Huglu one of the Bobwhite models imported by CZ? How has it held up? I picked up a one in 28 gauge last week, but didn't get to shoot it last weekend, and due to family/holiday stuff, won't get to this weekend either.

 

[Gordon]

Personally I'd get a SxS in 20 gauge: Shells are much cheaper and patterns are much better. I have a BSS in 20 gauge and it may be my favorite upland gun (if there is such a thing!) . I have NOT got into 28 gauge as shells around here are even less common than my 10's! I have a beautiful Citori O/U in .410 and it truly is a specialty novelty gun. I DO shoot a .410 in the garden though, in a single shot. It is the best guage for gophers for sure!

 

[mscott]

If you are going to try to justify buying a new gun for some reason, then you might as well start selling what you have. If you want it, get it. That should be reason enough for ownership of a new gun. There are plenty of places in the world where that is not an option. Little guns are also just as cool as big guns.

 

[G23/40]

The challenge man, the challenge.
I have enough challenge with my 12ga.
G23/40

 

[bubbygator]

I just bought a Stoeger O/U .410 for a specific reason. I have a racoon problem. Florida does not allow trap/relocate except by licensed people - the law approves killing with .410 or .22 only. I've got a Stoeger Silverado Coach Gun in 12GA & I like the quality for a cheap gun. The .410 O/U seems to be the same. I'm looking forward to seeing that rascal again some night.

Gotta love a law that give me a reason to buy another gun!!