O.T.- .410 hunting

[lever-4-life]

Do any of you guys still use a .410 for hunting? I only have two at this time but still take grandpas H&R out every dove opener. It was the last gun he ever bought and gave it to me when he thought I needed it more than he did. It is one of the most special guns in my collection because I think of him every time I shoulder it in the field So my question is what do you hunt with your .410? I am a fan of the winchester 3" 7 1/2 load for quail and dove. I would also like to try some of the new hevi shot for it as well.

[dgr416]

In Alaska the .410 is used for mainly two thing shooting grouse and halibut.The snake charmer shotguns are very popular in Alaska on boats to shoot hudge fish with.I have lots of friends that use the 410 for grouse for head shots.The down side .410 ammo is very expensive.Its usually 4 to 5 times more than 20 ga which I mostly hunt with.The 410 is a booger to reload I tried once and gave up after a box.I like the 28 ga but it mixes up with 20 ga too easy.Its almost impossible to find 16 and 28 ga in Alaska.I think the 410 is probally the third most popular gauage in Alaska.I grew up with friends that loved to rabbit hunt with the 410 because single shots were so light and didnt kick.They were awesome shots with their 410s with #4 and #6 shot.The 410 is no a good beginners shotgun but almost an expets shotgun.It takes a good shot to shoot flying birds with a .410.I almost bought a few 410s myself but the price of the shells kept me from them above anything else.I did shoot skeet with one og those single shot 410 lever action Ithaca shotguns that was fun.They are fun to shoot its a shame the ammo is so high its supply and demand the more they load the less they are.

[SmokeEater2]

My first gun was a Savage OU model 24 in .22/410. It came to me used from an auction when I was 6. I still have it and still use it on squirrels and rabbits.
3 in. 6's are the load of choice for mine although when I was a kid I could get paper 2 3/4 in 6 shot cheap and I used those alot in those days, They were marked "Mohawk" but I don't remember who made them.

[86er]

Love .410. Shoot just about any kind of bird, squirrels, rabbits and sharks with slugs.

[Nath]

I love to 410 I use a Biakel over and under. It was full choked but I opened it up to half and half. I love walked up woodcock with mine or roosting pidgeon on a wind. Use to shoot alot of crows over decoys with one.
I reload my ammo on a MEC junior. I use 5/8oz of 71/2 and 16grn of H4227, they seem to match the performance of the Win 3" stuff.
Oh I use to shoot alot of pheasant to, this side of 25yds no problem.
I once shot a fox at 33 paces broadside, the tiny shot made it right through to the opposite ribs IIRC about 7pellets killing him instantly.

[gamekeeper]

I use a Spanish 3 shot bolt action .410 (copy of the Mossberg without the adj. choke) It's fine on squirrels, pigeons and rabbits. I prefer the 2 1/2" shell, it patterns better than a 3" in my humble opinion.

[hfcable]

an original marlin lever action 410 from the 1920's is my favorite assassinate the grouse gun; spends more time in my truck in the warmer weather than any other long gun. does a fine job on grouse.

[Scott Young]

i have an 870 wingmaster and i am looking for another one when the children get older. i use mine almost weekly coon hunting.

[Mojo]

Absolutely! The .410 is one of my all time favorites. I sometimes still use an old Savage bolt action .410 for squirrel and rabbit and keep a single shot H&R nearby during the summer months as a snake gun. I love that little cartridge but only wish the prices weren't so steep. I have always wanted a .410 sxs and one of these days before I pass on I'm going to get one. I've always taken it as a sign of a master bird hunter when I see somebody on a dove field or hunting quail and they are using the time honored .410. To me, it's a sign that the hunter has mastered his craft.

[crs]

I have a Stevens .22/410 with a Tenite stocks that I bought at a gun show for my grandson before he was even born. He is 7 now and about ready for it. It has been used mostly for plinking and shooting turtles, but should be deadly for close shots at small game.

Mojo;
Take a look at the CZ Bobwhite .410 SxS - it is a sweet shooting little thing and can usually be had for about $600.
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=60

[jbm1968]

I have squirrel hunted with a friends 410 and found it quite good at the task. It was his pump shotgun and ammo (I cannot remember any details and probably didn't think of it then anyways).

[Hobie]

I sometimes hunt with this one (click the pic to see the story). Dad got HIS first squirrel with it.



I don't reload the .410. I wait until the ammo comes on clearance and have accumulated enough for a ne shooter's day or two at the dove field.

[horsesoldier03]

I bought my daughter a Stoeger .410 Coachgun for her first gun. We love to take it out squirrel hunting. Not sure how good it would be for dove, maybe quail. Shots need to be at about 20 yrds MAX, 15 yrds is better. Just wish the shells were cheaper.

[gamekeeper]

Anyone here know where you can get a 16Ga adapter to fire .410 cartridges Parker-Hale used to make them in 12Ga & 16Ga.

[C. Cash]

I sometimes hunt with this one (click the pic to see the story). Dad got HIS first squirrel with it.



I don't reload the .410. I wait until the ammo comes on clearance and have accumulated enough for a ne shooter's day or two at the dove field.

Neat 410 BORE and History Hobie. I have a Ward's Western Field(Mossberg) 22 with some of the same parts and obviosly made by the same folks.

[shawn_c992001]

I usually carry a Contender with a 45 Colt/410 pistol barrel for squirrels. My favorite load is a 3" with 7.5 shot.

[Tumbleweeds]

from Cabela.com for $50 a pair. Lil' Skeeters are cheaper, but I don't know offhand who carries them.