Anyone shoot a .410?

[Wyseguy]

I'm thinking about getting a .410 shotgun just to kind of shoot around in the desert, but I've never had one before, nor do I have any friends that do. What do you shoot with it? Just little birds? Any target shooting? Anything else? Pump? Single shot? ??? Any response would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Revoman]

I shoot skeet with a 410, however, you can also take rabbits, squirrels, dove and quail with one. You should be a little more accomplished to take the game birds as it takes a little practice to shoot a shotgun period, let alone a 410.
Ammo is relatively expensive, around $10-11 per box of 25 and not as available as the 12 & 20. You may be better served buying a 12 or 20 gauge as the ammo is on sale many times throughout the year, most times in the $6-7 range and is more available.
The 410 does have much less recoil to deal with than the 12, but since the 12 is so popular, there is a multitude of down-loaded ammo for it to lessen the recoil.

[capitol]

I've always wanted a .410 semi to shoot jack rabbit. The recoil should be negligible for fast follow up shots as they run.

semi auto twelve gauge works too

[CSACANNONEER]

I've got 5 of them! We'll have to get together, go to Angeles and shoot them so, you can decide what you want. Just let me know when you have free time during a weekend and I'll make sure to load a couple hundred rounds up. Really, I would like to do this because, I owe you BIG TIME for your help and tools last weekend! I've got my grandpa's old single shot, an 870s, a 11-48, a Sprigfield M6 and one more. I also have a Rem 121Routledge. It's a smoothbore .22lr backbored about 2/3rds of the way down to about a .410 bore but, I don't think that counts. I've taken rattlesnakes, quail, dove and ducks with .410s, as well as, using them to break clays. Also, my dad shoots a monthly .410 trap match in the Bay Area.

[Wyseguy]

So Greg, are they all single shots? or do you have or recommend a pump, double barrel, or semi? The one I saw in the gun store today was a H&R single shot. It was new and priced under $150. They also had a used one for $110 that looked pretty nice. I didn't see any other types.

[kermit315]

seems like I only have this picture of mine. Mossberg 183 DB bolt action, top in the picture. Its a neat little gun.

[hybridatsun350]

A friend, and member on this forum, has an old Mossberg bolt action .410 like the one pictured above. It's a really fun gun to shoot, and I imagine you could probably hunt a bunch of different stuff with one. Ammo is pretty expensive, but you can get everything from bird shot to slugs if you want em.

[1911 gone wild]

The 410 bore, is my favorite to shoot on the skeet fields. I have a Beretta over under, Browning Model 42, and Rem 1100, all in the .410. They are all a lot of fun to shoot. The Winchester and Browning Model 42, are very slick action, pump shotguns. The pump actions, gives you some thing to do, between your pair/doubles, shot.

Anyways, you can not go wrong with a quailty over under, pump, or semi-auto 410.

[AJAX22]

I have a few (and have had a bunch in the past)

I've never fired on though..

First one was some chinese single barrel

Then I had a topper single,

I've still got a bolt action tubefed, and a double barrel... and I THINK I have a half dozen parts/partial/project 410 shotguns kicking around somewhere.

I just never did it.

[Defense Shooter]

My .410 lever action is my favorite gun to shoot.

[maxicon]

I have a High Standard .410 pump and an NEF single-shot, and they're both fun shooters. I mostly used them when the kids were young, as they like the light recoil.

[CSACANNONEER]

So Greg, are they all single shots? or do you have or recommend a pump, double barrel, or semi? The one I saw in the gun store today was a H&R single shot. It was new and priced under $150. They also had a used one for $110 that looked pretty nice. I didn't see any other types.

The 11-48 is a semi, the 870 is a pump and the others are single shot. You should still be able to find a single shot for about $100. On the advise of my dad, I stayed away from Mossberg 500s in .410. He has seen more than a few that work great but, he's also seen some that are nothing but trouble. I'd stay away from bolt guns in .410 unless you can pick one up FTF for $75 or less. The .410 lever guns look fun but, I've never played with one. Also, make sure you get one chambered for 3" shells! I only reload 2 1/2" shells because one of mine only takes 2 1/2" shells and it's easier for me to just load one size. The problem with 2 1/2" shell is that they are harder to find. I've bought enough hulls to last me another ten years or so. So, that's no longer a problem for me but, it would be for a new .410 shooter.

[Ishoot]

Fun shooters for sure. Harder to pick up ammo though as the 12g is a more popular caliber. Great starter shotguns for younger shooters too since the recoil is much less in comparison.

[CSACANNONEER]

Great starter shotguns for younger shooters too since the recoil is much less in comparison.

I disagree, .410s are harder to hit things with and pattern differently from any other shotgun cartridge. The shot tends to string rather than spread out evenly. .410s are considered more of an experts gun. If I was going to get a little one started in shotgunning, I'd go with a 28g. I've seen a 6 year old who could consistantly score around 17-19 with his 28g that was custom fit to him.

[3GunFunShooter]

Just watched one of the Shooting USA shows and there is a AR style .410 with a 10 roung mag. Looks like a great fun gun.