What .410 shells are you using for skeet?

[Quinc]

My little sister wants to do a skeet shoot and I happen to have an extra .410 single shot. I haven't shot 410 since I was a kid and have no idea what kind of ammo options are out there other than walmart. I would like her to do well at the shoot and figure I will spend the extra money on good ammo for her to practice with and use.

*Yes I know a 20ga and 28ga would be better but I don't have one.

[NapalmCheese]

Take the .410 for yourself and give her some cream puff 12 gauge loads?

Otherwise, your local gun shop will have some options, Winchester AAs are always nice (but pricey).

[PatrickRyan]

Winchester 2 3/4" Super X 6 shot. I use that for skeet all the time with my little .410 single shot. Hardly any kick and fairly cheap. I agree with NapalmCheese-keep the .410 for yourself! I love shooting that little thing haha.

[Revoman]

If you're using a single shot for skeet, you will not be able to get a second shot off, there isn't enough time to load it. (You have doubles on 1, 2, 6 & 7 stations.)

If you're shooting trap, no problem, but you will need a heavier shot size to help carry the load. That means you will most likely need a hunting load of 6's. Dunno if your single shot is 3", but that may help a bit.

Taking someone new out and shooting a 410 while there is little recoil, it's also much tougher to hit a target with due to the small payload. You don't want to discourage by not hitting anything. As stated, you should shoot the 410 and allow your sister to use a 12 with low recoil rounds, they truly are low recoil. Look for the feather on the side of the box of Double AA's.

[kmca]

Not sure about your area, but where I shoot, you can't use anything large than 7-1/2 for either trap or skeet. For skeet, most use #9. The .410 bore is considered the "expert's" gun.

[Rover]

If you're shooting at a club, rent her a 20ga. You will discourage her from clay shooting if you start her with a .410. Or get the afore mentioned light recoil 12ga shells. Either way, get her breaking clays, if she has fun she'll keep shooting.

[olhunter]

Don't do it.

A .410 single shot (which is actually a caliber, not a gauge. It would be about a 67ga) is useless for skeet. You need doubles for several of the stations so a single shot is, well, useless.

.410 is not suited for anything other than bored skeet shooters with something capable of shooting 2 or more looking for an additional challenge. It's a crappy hunting round, lousy for trap and would be extinct if not for skeet.

And the ammo is 3-4 times more expensive than 12 or 20ga.

Get her a 20ga semi-auto.

[003]

I agree completely with the last two posts. In the world of skeet, the .410 is considered the “experts” gun, and as a general rule the only ones you see on a skeet field are high end guns. That does not mean you cannot throw a few clays on an informal field so that your sister can get the feel of shooting a shotgun, but as mentioned above, a number of the stations on a skeet field require shooting doubles.

The standard size shot for skeet is #9 for all gages, anything larger and you are creating an unnecessary handicap.

Lastly, and please do not misinterpret what I am about to say. Based on your post, it appears you are not familiar with shooting on a formal skeet or trap range. Perhaps a few hours with an instructor for both you and your sister would be a good investment and increase both your knowledge and enjoyment of the sport.

[bjl333]

Most 410 singles run a full choke iirc! Which is completely useless for the skeet range, especially for a beginner! Rent her a 12ga or 20ga O/U and buy the low recoil shells. It would be much more effective the using a single shot 410. If you are within one of the Calguns skeet clinic's area, I would highly recommend doing the clinics.

[stevec223]

410

winchester aa at walmart.....remington there also sometimes....2 1/2 in. are fine...3 in winchesters a little more shot and might be better..rio 3 in. online at natchez...# 7 1/2s or 8s are great for most apps....9s just for skeet... self pull or practice field would be just fine to get started..... ck your choke and pattern to guage distance..... 410 single shot is a handicap all-around---but a doable platform if the stances are right and a gun shy noob ... keep target around 30 yds.... ya i know... but just answering a good question...cheers...