What is the Use?

[Timbob55]

I have grown up with a .410 and have taken many animals (no big game yet) with different loads. I also had some 12's and a 20 available to me and shot the heck out of those. But I prefer the 410. So yes, it can be useless in some hands.

I have taken small coastal White Tails in NC with a .410 using a slug. Lethal in close range deer hunting. Buck shot probably would be as well, but I never had the chance to try it. Countless rabbits, squirrels, etc with .410 "bird shot" too.

I wouldn't want to take a face full of "bird shot" from a .410.

[ElToro]

Because Browning stopped making their 10 gauge pumps....and 10 gauge doubles cost an arm and a leg.

look around for an ithaca roadblocker

[repubconserv]

410 is one of the funnest guns I have ever shot while shooting clays

[xtra870]

I have always thought of the .410 as an experts gun. I shoot pigeons with an older gentleman that uses a .410 and he is one of the best shots i have ever seen with it. He will constantly line up 2 birds with one shot at 50 yards. I beleive if you get cosistently good with a .410 during practice the shot difference to a 12ga will make you that much better of a shot during a competition.

[jeffrice6]

Op: Have you ever shot a 410?

[Newshooter]

I have shot skeet 3 times in my life. The most fun round I have ever had was when the range master let me borrow his 410. It makes you feel really accomplished when you shatter a crossing target with 1/2 oz of shot!

[PEZHEAD265]

Because Browning stopped making their 10 gauge pumps....and 10 gauge doubles cost an arm and a leg.

A 10 ga with 3 1/2 shells is useless for a hd gun.It kicks like a mule,loud as hell and much harder to get a follow up shot.You said "it's not the size of your hallway howitzer it's how you use it".Then why a 10 ga????

[sargenv]

Browning still makes semi-autos in 10... but likely not what you are looking for..

Back to the 410.. it's not only fun to shoot skeet with the 410, it's fun to get a 17.. I knew a gent that had a model 48 Remington in 410.. the guy always got either a 24 or a 25 with it.. quite impressive.

A 10 with factory ammo does kick like a mule.. but handloaded 10's aren't so bad..

[Pfletch83]

A 10 ga with 3 1/2 shells is useless for a hd gun.It kicks like a mule,loud as hell and much harder to get a follow up shot.You said "it's not the size of your hallway howitzer it's how you use it".Then why a 10 ga????

Why not?

I already have the smallest gauge covered.

And I remember catching all kinds of hell for mentioning said uses of the .410 before from what I've started calling the "12 gauge only cult".

[Distro]

How about the good ol' 4 Gauge for HD, clear everything in the hallway in front of you and behind you in one shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJouw9uh84

[Pfletch83]

I agree...but the 4 bore is best left for defensive use against level bosses on Contra.

[dls]

My downstairs front door HD weapon is an 18" .410 with 3" 000 shot. It'll leave a mark.
12g upstairs.

[sargenv]

I wouldn't want to get hit with any projectile, but if I had my druthers it would be min 20 ga... in a pinch, anything is better than throwing rocks..

[Pfletch83]

My downstairs front door HD weapon is an 18" .410 with 3" 000 shot. It'll leave a mark.
12g upstairs.

Single shot,stack barrel,or pump?