is a .410 shotgun worth getting

I have a single shot Winchester, a Savage 24 (.22mag over .410), a Mossberg 500e, and a Taurus Judge.

I don't shoot the Winchester much as it is older and has a hammer that would be hard to let down if I didn't shoot afterall. The Savage 24 is nice although the .22mag shoots about 4 inches low. If I practiced more it would be a very good combo squirrel/grouse gun.

When I go grouse hunting I take my CZ 452 .22lr and the Mossberg .410. If the terrain lends itself to using a rifle I use the CZ, if it lends itself to the shotgun I use the Mossberg.

I just picked up the Judge and I really like it. It only has the three inch barrel so it will mainly be a snake gun. .410 with 7 1/2 for crawling snake and .45LC for two-legged snakes. Would make one dandy anti-car jacking device as well.

If you are going to shoot trap with the .410, yes, you will need to be an expert because your shot pattern will be so much thinner. But if you are going to hunt with it you just need to learn your limitations and stick with them.
 
You can be happy with the H&R .410, if you understand it.

It works fine at <25 yards, particularly for rabbits, jackrabbits and squirrels. The gauge is no real handicap for this application.

The difficulty comes when you try to treat the .410 like it is a big bore w/ massive payload. I find it a very sporting challenge to use on upland game birds.

Just remember something. The thing throws a cone of shot whose vertex starts at the muzzle. The cone grows in diameter to about 2' at 25 yards, with a rapid "fizzle out" of the deformed shot pattern after that.

You can't blast edibles close to the muzzle, and you also can't blast them much past 25 yards. What this means, is that you have to wait to shoot for the animals to be between 10 or 15 yards, and 25 yards. It's almost like it doesn't work, unless the animal is at a fixed distance(within limits) from you.

Hope this makes some sense.

My 28 gauge H&R is A Lot more gun.
 
erasmus has some points, but your range also depends on choke and shot. you can hook one of these up with removable chokes, for example. And the difference between #10 (if you can still find it) for snakes and lizards, bird shot, #4, are all pretty major. Hell, the difference between 9 and 7.5 can be important in dove hunting.

I wouldn't say my preference would be for a .410 for most "serious" game, but a slug with a decent (not super, just decent) shot will take out a muley at 60 yards. I'd give it 30, maybe 35 on most birds. but that's a choke issue, too. Rabbit same, hare I used bigger shot and wouldn't guess I'd take a shot past 20-25. It's a bit light for waterfowl, but people DO use it.

If I was going to buy new, today, I'd get a 9410. Used, a single shot that I could put tubes on and pop slugs out of.
 
this had been a very informative and great thread..most of my hunting involves me just peacefully loitering around the woods with a gun... and maybe getting a couple of squirrels or a rabbit...I also would like to pick up a .22 so something like the rossi matched pair seems like a good deal, but the .410 has a mod. choke which from what I understand is less than idyllic. I really like the over under combo guns but U don't know how practical they are...a new savage 24 is pricy if I got a vombo gun I'd probably go with the remington if I could find one. Even for the 350 price tag on the remington I could probably get a dedicated .22 and a .410.
 
oh, then *seriously* take a look at the winchester 9410. Out to 50-60 yards that one will do anything, and it's a lever gun, which is always just pleasant.
 
koyote said:
oh, then *seriously* take a look at the winchester 9410. Out to 50-60 yards that one will do anything, and it's a lever gun, which is always just pleasant.
Click to expand...

I believe that those will only accept 2.5 inch shells. For hunting, you really want 3 inchers in a .410. With birdshot, 50-60 yards is a bit of a stretch- especially with a cylinder bore with a small shot charge. I do believe that Marlin is making (or at least has made another run of) their lever action .410 (uses the 336 style reciever)- Cabela's was advertising them in their most recent flyer.
 
j williams said:
Do you own one of their shotguns? I have toyed with getting one of their 12gauges to keep in my truck. Used, they are dirt cheap, just never knew anyone who owed or shot one.
Click to expand...

I have 3 H&R/NEF shotguns (all 12 ga.) and one NRF Handi-rifle in .30-30. I like them for what they are: simple, safe, reliable firearms that I'm not afraid to carry and use anywhere. Lefty friendly. Not flashy, but I couldn't care less about that. They're lightweight, which is very welcome when you're out roaming all day but recoil is something to have respect for, especially with heavier loads. They'll spank you good if you get careless. Great deal for the money, no question.
 
OH YEAH ! got this one today 45lc / .410 2 1/2 ultralite . Sweet :eek: :D :eek:
DSCN2524.jpg
 
RescueRiley said:
this had been a very informative and great thread..most of my hunting involves me just peacefully loitering around the woods with a gun... and maybe getting a couple of squirrels or a rabbit...I also would like to pick up a .22 so something like the rossi matched pair seems like a good deal, but the .410 has a mod. choke which from what I understand is less than idyllic. I really like the over under combo guns but U don't know how practical they are...a new savage 24 is pricy if I got a vombo gun I'd probably go with the remington if I could find one. Even for the 350 price tag on the remington I could probably get a dedicated .22 and a .410.
Click to expand...

You sound alot like me roam around the woods armed and shoot something once in a while. I carry a H&R 28 ga but a 410 would work just as good for me. I use a 28 mainly because my gun is remodeled youth gun and I all ready had one in 28 ga. I took a H&R youth 28ga (shorter barrel)replace the buttstock with a choate adult synthetic stock replaced the forearm with a storearm forearm(H&R survivor type) I like where the sling mounts on this forearm
 
Last edited:
Once you buy into the .410 bore cult, you will have to perform a little research. Pull out your 100 foot tape measure, and measure off 25 yards. Set up a few paper grocery sacks (pizza boxes are mo bettah) at this distance, and pattern a variety of shot sizes and brands on the paper sacks.

Scribble the brand, shot size and distance on each sack. Then collect all these shot up sacks and examine the character of the patterns. Choose the brand or shot size that throws the nicest, most uniform patterns, without much regard to shot size. At the short ranges you'll be swatting stuff, ANY shot size that patterns well is the right size.

My .410 bore M6 Scout only patterns Winchester AA #9 trap loads decently. Works great on quail, doves and rabbits.

My .410 H&R Topper likes Remington #6's, loves Rem. #4's, and hates any Winchester shell. (shrugs)

Patterns tend to be so sketchy and ragged, you just gotta use :eek:WHATEVER:eek: size and brand of shot that patterns evenly.

On selecting the optimum brand/shot size, go back to the measured range and notice the effect that distance has on your pattern diameter/density.
Notice how few yards past 25 it takes for your pattern to almost evaporate.

Don't eyeball this distance measure it. The results will be very eye opening.

Now you are ready for your first frustrated, faltering efforts at busting clays. (muwhaaaa haaaa haaa...) with the .410 Topper.

I suggest you bring along a half crazy black Labrador to help out, when you conduct all this "research." It could be the beginning of a beautiful hunting relationship.

Good luck with all this chaos. Might as well just give in to it. I did :)
 
I'm definitely going to "pull the trigger" (forgive the pun) on a .410... I more than likely will not be wing shooting with it.. it'll be a squirrel/rabbit and gen purpose woods loafing piece... What do you all reccomend as far as chokes go?? I'm tryin to decide between mod. and full... Full would seem to make sense considerng the small payload ..but mod would inable you to shoot buck shot or slugs.. (not that I intend to but it's nice to have the option.)
 
I'm tryin to decide between mod. and full... Full would seem to make sense considerng the small payload ..but mod would inable you to shoot buck shot or slugs.. (not that I intend to but it's nice to have the option.)
Reply With Quote
Click to expand...

You definetely want a full choke with a .410. I shot a box of slugs through a full choke H&R pardner, and it worked well enough- they kept on the paper plate at 25 yards just fine. You aren't shooting either of those too much- I wouldn't worry about it. While .410 slugs and buck are both relatively anemic, it might be worthwhile to keep some on hand, for say, camp defense.
 
Last edited:
Ok, I'm excited. After reading through this thread I was really considering buying a .22/.410 combo rifle.

This past weekend I went dove hunting with my dad and I was going through the safe looking for ammo and I found a Savage arms combo rifle. The rifle was from my grandfather's collection and looks to be in decent to good condition. Needless to say I can't wait to shoot it and see how it works.

Oh and, I finally shot my .410/45LC derringer on Sunday. &^% it kicks. My father shot it first and the back side of the trigger cut his middle finger when he shot. When I shot I was expecting it to kick and gripped the fore end so it wouldn't be as bad. Its fun to shoot but it is possibly louder then my 12g shotgun.
 
I think my first investment is going to be in a set of gauge mates (slip in tubes, that allow my 20g side by side to safely fire .410 shells. I've read alot of reviews on these and they are all positive.. I've also loked at patterning pictures.. of shotguns using this product and they all seem pretty good, This will give me a chance to really see if I enjoy using a dedicated .410
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top