.410 vs 20ga

[Chiro22]

Howdy all,

With Quail and other upland bird season coming up I'm looking at shotguns and figured I'd reach out to the group, as I'm new to upland.

Been duck/goose/Turkey hunting for a few years and feel comfortable with a shotgun.

I know the .410 is lighter for carrying all day, although it's a smaller round thus "harder" to shoot. Don't know much about 20ga other than it has more kick and "easier" to shoot upland because of the payload.

Which shotguns/shells are you guys using and why? any help is much appreciated. Thank you

[jbk]

i use to think the only size shotgun was a 12 ga, then I had a friend let me shoot his 20 ga O/U and I was hooked. to me shooting 12 ga O/U vs 20 O/U, the 20 ga was way easier on a old shoulder. has a good payload for upland and it doesn't chew up meat as bad.i still use a 12 ga auto loader for water fowl though. I shoot upland game all year long between hunting season, dog training, and dog events and I always shoot 20 ga now. i have no experience with 410 other than the single shot I used as a Little kid, quite a long while ago

[tony270]

12 or 20 gage modified choke is the most popular and effective tool for birds.

[tony270]

I like the 410 for squirres and rabbits.

[HighWildFree]

I don't own a 20 gauge but do own a .410 and those shells are tough to connect on birds. Out of those two I'd suggest 20 gauge.

[Catch]

Took my first greenhead w/ a 20g. Would have to see some butcher paper shot by both before getting into 410 ...

[Ora Serrata]

410 ammo is more expensive and there are fewer options available. I have a single shot bolt action .410 and it was good to teach my son to shoot when he was 11. But the novelty for him even wore out after two range trips and since he usually shoots 20 or 12. If you're only going to get one or the other I'd suggest the 20. More versatile cheaper to shoot easier to find ammo.

[whutsup40]

I use a 20 o/u with 8 shot it really does a good job, and can still reach out for some longer shots, 12 gauge destroys more meat!!

[JagerDog]

There are 20g which rival most 410's for weight. Remember, you're carrying it most the time.

With the advent of requiring non-tox, anything less than 20g is gonna cost you a fortune in $'s and birds.

For quail sized birds I'm shooting 3/4 oz of #6 steel.

[Bull Elk]

Of the two, 20g all the way. Of course, you can split the difference and go with a 28g.

[Irishfisher]

You don't state in your original post if you already own a shotgun and, if so, what gauge. In my opinion, a 12 gauge is the most versatile. Ammunition is widely available (even lead free). The 20 gauge is a close second. The 410 is very limited on many levels and I think would be a poor choice.

In my opinion, if you already own a decent hunting shotgun for waterfowl and turkey (which may be implied by your post), I would stick with it for upland, as long as it has the ability to change chokes to improved.

[Kruzzzzin34]

I recently inherited at model 37 light weight in 20guage, took it and my Berretta A400 12guage pheasant hunting. It's really going to suck when I can no longer shoot that model 37 because of the lead ban. Go for a 20guage.

[Thefeeder]

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Weight of the gun is a none issue as already mentioned...there 20's lighter then 410's and vise versa....the 20 is much better in the field for birds. With steel shot coming or already here, 410 is one picky *** gun with steel shot...I know from shooting a 410 for years with steel shot

That said this year a friend and myself will be doing a 410 Pheasant hunt just to say we did it....planted birds over a great dog that hold birds so shots will be under 30 yards.


If you want to try a 20 and a 410.....let me know as we will hook up at one of the Bay Area ranges and you can have at it


What I use and why? I use primarily the same shotgun for all upland game and all the clay games, a 12ga. Why? #1, it fits my like a glove and because its always feels the same and muscle memory just takes over. How and where my hands hold the gun, throwing it up and mounting, finding the trigger, how the gun feels swinging to the target ...... same as it was a thousand times before.

All the other shotguns I shoot, I tweek and tune as much as possible to mirror my primary shooter

[Chiro22]

12 or 20 gage modified choke is the most popular and effective tool for birds.

Good to know. I've got 12ga in pump, semi and O/U. I wasn't sure if 12ga was going to be too much gun for these little birds. I guess it's all about the choke and aiming properly.

[Chiro22]

I like the 410 for squirres and rabbits.

We have a ton of Chipmunks...what's the rules about shooting those little buggers.