.410 Small Game Loads?

[CrazyJ]

Looking for opinions on .410 shell & choke preferences for rabbit/squirrel/crow hunting.
Also, anybody use a 410 for yotes?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ebowhunter]

I use 6's for anything bigger than starlings out of my .410. Found out the max range a couple of weeks ago is indeed 30 yards on a rabbit and I do not believe that 7/12 or 8's would have stopped that bunny.

I wouldn't use it on coyotes.

Can you find it choked other than full?

[CrazyJ]

Can you find it choked other than full?

I dont think so. Now that i've searched the net a little bit, all i can find is full choked guns.
Thanks for the input.

[Unregistered4]

:confused: Why a .410, are you getting a new gun, kind of sounds like it? When you are asking about choke size. If I were you, I would possibly go for a larger gauge(20 ga. is a little better suited for what your looking to hunt). I agree with Elbowhunter, number 6 shot whole probably work best, if you already have a .410 and watch your range it drops off fast after 30 some yards. Not much penetration with that bore gun, at much farther than that. Take a steel coffee can out and set it about 40 yards from you, give it a blast with number 6 shot and see what you think(I don't think you will like what you see). Just my opinion, Brian.

[chrisu]

Agree with the thoughts of a 20ga. rather than the .410, but if you are set on a .410 and want to choke other than full, you could go the custom route and have a smith thread the barrel...

[Sprytle]

I wouldnt use it for crows either , crows are one of the toughest birds out there and i just dont think you would bring many down with a 410. Also the range of effectiveness you probally wouldnt touch many crows anyways.

[BarryPatch]

I use an old Stevens 59A for dog training. I don't see much usefulness in it otherwise. Some people like the challenge it offers, but unless you’re a crack shot, it's not fair to the animals. Just my opinion.

[Unregistered4]

Also, it's kind of a misconsipation, that people think a .410 is a good gun to start out with. There actually a very difficult gun to use to take down game cleanly. Especially if your going to shot birds or small animals on the move. I wouldn't, unless your an exceptional shot. Usually, you want to be really proficient with a .410 before your hunting with it. Unless your just going to "pot shoot" birds and squirrels it may be O.K. if your close to them. Good luck, Brian.

[CrazyJ]

Thanks for the input guys. I think i'm gonna go with a single shot 20 gauge (Mod Choke).
Heres the story.. I've got a 870 20 gauge with a fixed choke (Imp.Cyl.) that my dad handed down to me years ago. The only problem with that gun is that before i knew anything about shotguns and chokes, "somebody" cut 6" off the end of the barrel to make a home defense gun :bash: . So it no longer has a choke, and the pattern is HUGE at a very short distance. It took me 3 shots with 1oz of #6 shot to take down a squirrel at 30 yards. He only had one pellet thru his chest. Since i cant afford the new pump gun that i want for a while, i'm looking to buy a very inexpensive shotgun to get me by these last few weeks of rabbit season. I thought a .410 would be the cheapest, but i've looked into it and a single shot 20 gauge runs right around $100. which is in my price range right now.

BTW, yes i am pissed at myself for ruining my dads 45+year old 870 Wingmaster.

[Huntsman27]

Thanks for the input guys. I think i'm gonna go with a single shot 20 gauge (Mod Choke).
Heres the story.. I've got a 870 20 gauge with a fixed choke (Imp.Cyl.) that my dad handed down to me years ago. The only problem with that gun is that before i knew anything about shotguns and chokes, "somebody" cut 6" off the end of the barrel to make a home defense gun :bash: . So it no longer has a choke, and the pattern is HUGE at a very short distance. It took me 3 shots with 1oz of #6 shot to take down a squirrel at 30 yards. He only had one pellet thru his chest. Since i cant afford the new pump gun that i want for a while, i'm looking to buy a very inexpensive shotgun to get me by these last few weeks of rabbit season. I thought a .410 would be the cheapest, but i've looked into it and a single shot 20 gauge runs right around $100. which is in my price range right now.

BTW, yes i am pissed at myself for ruining my dads 45+year old 870
Wingmaster.

for another barrel for it? I know Browning BPS 410s came with choke tubes. I know some are offered with Mod chokes. We use 410s for squirrels and rabbits, but because of the shot charge 1/2oz or 11/16 oz isnt a whole lot it obviously isnt a long range gun. I like the 4-5 and 6 shot loads for squirrels, and usually lead off with 8s or 9s for close rabbit work because of the higher pellet count, and followed up with 5s in the magazine.

As for coyotes the only load that I could think of would be the 00 buck loads, unless you hand loaded some 2 or BB shot, but even with that it would have to be close because of the small payloads.

[CrazyJ]

Huntsman, yeah i'm lookin for another barrel for the 870. Its a non vent ribbed style, so its kinda hard to find. Some day i'll get it back the way it was.

Anyways guys i got a new gun last night a NEF 12 gauge pump 28" barrel with a modified choke tube for $159 at Gander Mtn. I know its cheap, but it pretty much tapped me out right now. The action seems kinda tight, but that might loosen up a bit after a little use. Other than that it seems like a decent gun for the price. Looks pretty much like a 870 clone. I'll see how it holds up. I still might get the 12 gauge Nova that i really want for next season if i can afford it by then.

Ok so in less than 12 hours i went from a single shot .410 with a fixed choke to a 12 gauge pump with interchangeable chokes. Hmmm... call me Crazy :dizzy: .

Thanks again for all the help guys.

[rabbit whacker]

I use a 410 for rabbit hunting. I wanted a gun that was light, short, and that I wouldn't mind banging up as I was chasing my beagles through the brush. I was sick of carrying a pump or my double barrel...they are heavy and I didn't want to scratch them. I settled with a Rossi (http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=S411220S&category=SHOTGUN) it has a modified choke. I love it. I have made some pretty long shots with it and have had no problems. The 410 is not a easy gun to use and would not recommend it as someones first gun. Once you get use to it and after some practice you can be very accurate.

[SmallGameStalker]

CrazyJ, going from a fixed choke .410 to a 12 Gauge modified choke is sensible, not crazy. Now if you had decided on a 10 Gauge 3.5" Magnum, that might be crazy (at least for small game hunting):D

As far as getting your old Rem. 870 fixed, have you contacted Remington to find out if they still stock that barrel, or perhaps know of a company that does? I realize it's a long shot, there's a possibility you might be in luck.

regards,

[CrazyJ]

As far as getting your old Rem. 870 fixed, have you contacted Remington to find out if they still stock that barrel, or perhaps know of a company that does? I realize it's a long shot, there's a possibility you might be in luck.

regards,

To tell you the truth i never thought of contacting them. I just figured that since the gun was so old that they wouldnt carry that style barrel anymore. It is a long shot, but its worth a try. Thanks for the input.

[upnut]

You could try a well established gunsmith/gunshop for a used barrel. There is one near me(Quincy) that has a rack full of all kinds of used barrels for sale. Of course the danger in cruising gun shops is finding all kinds of stuff you really have to own...Scott

[CrazyJ]

Of course the danger in cruising gun shops is finding all kinds of stuff you really have to own...Scott

LOL Isnt that the truth. Happens to me every time

[Pigpen69]

I use a 410 for rabbit hunting. I wanted a gun that was light, short, and that I wouldn't mind banging up as I was chasing my beagles through the brush. I was sick of carrying a pump or my double barrel...they are heavy and I didn't want to scratch them. I settled with a Rossi (http://www.rossiusa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=S411220S&category=SHOTGUN) it has a modified choke. I love it. I have made some pretty long shots with it and have had no problems. The 410 is not a easy gun to use and would not recommend it as someones first gun. Once you get use to it and after some practice you can be very accurate.
I also have a .410 for bunnies and I love It. Model 500 mossberg 410 pump. It has a modified choke and it shoots straight. as for 30 yrds, I shoot skeet with mine and I think its a little farther,but that could be the different choke. I agree that its not a beginners gun too.

[daddyduck]

My rabbit gun is also a .410 and used to use it on pheasents too.