.410 Skeet Choke

[Scott Tschirhart]

Anybody use skeet choke in a .410 for dove hunting?

I like skeet fir everything else and I’ve probably killed more with an improved cylinder than any other choke.

Getting ready for dove shooting.

[GunnyMack]

Scott, I have a High Standard Flite King , pump SKEET gun. I used to use it with 3" #5s for jump shooting ducks on a buddies pond( before the non toxic laws) it killed ducks out to 40 yards with ease.
Now I shoot a CZ SxS 410 for pheasant, chukar. It is choked improved cylinder and modified. I have pert near shot pheasants heads off with the i/c and 3" 7¹/²s. It will work for doves as well.
I'm a firm believer that the majority of 410s are too tightly choked.
I would suggest you buy different shot sizes and different makers and do some patterning, try 7¹/², 8s and even #9s, then go shoot a bunch of doves!

[Scott Tschirhart]

I have an 870 in .410 with a skeet choke and an 870 Express with a full choke. I haven’t a Savage 311 and I’ll wager that it’s choked full and full. I haven’t used any of these on birds yet.

[jeepnik]

On doves I usually use a 20 ga. with an improved cylinder. For quail I use a Mossy 500 in .410 with a modified. The modified mostly because that and a cylinder are all I have for the Mossy. It's a pre screw in choke.

[gamekeeper]

I agree with Gunny most .410s are choked too tight, my old boss had a really old .410 with a true cylinder barrel I borrowed it once to shoot some rats and was thinking it probably won't do the job but was surprised how effective it was. The little Stevens .410 I have now is full choke and has proven to be a good Squirrel gun but no so hot when it comes to pigeons. Try as many different brands and shot sizes to find the best combination.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I usually shoot a plastic stocked Remington 11-87 with a 28 inch barrel in 12 ga.

It’s extremely efficient and I kill a lot of birds.

But it’s not fun to carry for any distance and I can stuff a bunch of .410 shells in a pocket.

[GunnyMack]

12 ga is as you say not fun to carry, hump ammo for- especially for doves. I certainly hope you'll give the 410 a try, I think you'll get much more enjoyment from your hunt. I know I certainly would. Sure you give up a little but 12 ga recoil or 410 recoil? 410 wins when high volume shooting is the norm.
If it were me, I would be shooting of my 28ga guns for doves, lesser recoil, a bit more reach and carry more ammo BUT I would also take the 410s out to play.

[.45colt]

In the 70's Remington sold weights that went on the magazine cap of .410 & 28 ga 870 skeet guns to smooth out the swing and make them track better as they are lightweight. I had a AA average in Trap and Skeet back then and once We shoot the .410 enough to get over the "small gauge " stigma" then it can shine . I still have My $80.00 Mossberg .410 that I had bored to Skeet in '79 . Good Luck. .

[Scott Tschirhart]

Seems to pattern well at 25 yards and the pattern is centered on the plate.

[GunnyMack]

I'd say you are ready to bacon wrap some dove breasts!

[Nath]

Most my 410's get opened up.

IMG_20230720_164411.jpg