Mike, I got the Full Choke in mid 1960's for less than $75.00 and picked up the Modified Choke in the early 1970's from a fellow Marine that was transferring to HI for about $175.00. Back then 410 ammo was the least expensive shotgun ammo to buy. Now it cost more than 12ga ammo.
Shotgun for small game in 410
- Thread starter Oldfrt
- Start date
I have 2 Model 42's at this time. Both pre-war Skeet guns.
Finish challenged, one with aftermarket wood that doesn't match and the other w/o wood.
The one that is shootable is enjoyable to use. I load 2 1/2" shells for it.
I started reloading for 410 when I previously owned a Browning '42'.
That was a very nice gun as well. I would recommend that gun to anyone wanting a nice pump 410.
Likely pretty pricey now, but most any 410 will be.
Many shooters are handicapped when using a 410 just because they have been told over and over that 'it's just a 410' and it doesn't have the power of the bigger gauges.
That can get into your head.
But the velocity of the 410 is the same as the 12, 16 or 20 gauges..
right there at 1200fps.
The shot is traveling at the same speed.
There is just less of it in the payload that's all.
So you use a smaller shot size like #8 to increase the # of individual bb's in the pattern.
For hunting you will likely want to use larger shot, but again keep in mind that there will be very few pellets in the load.
Then limit your max distance to less than what you would take with the larger gauges do to the thinning out of the pattern at those longer distances....less bb's to fill in the same dia pattern circle.
Also you will do well to carefully pattern a 410 on paper.
The small bore is very touchy as to different loads, shot sizes, choke, shell mfg, ect.
Most single shot and inexpensive Sxs 410's are choked Full in some marketing idea to increase the range of the small bore.
Many are even Full+ and that can wreck the patterns with some loads.
Mod or even IC will often give a much more even pattern.
Patterns can vary wildly in a 410 from one OTC shell to another.
410 factory ammo is the most expensive to buy.
Reloading can really help you get the most from the 410 plus it makes it very inexpensive to load your own.
Finish challenged, one with aftermarket wood that doesn't match and the other w/o wood.
The one that is shootable is enjoyable to use. I load 2 1/2" shells for it.
I started reloading for 410 when I previously owned a Browning '42'.
That was a very nice gun as well. I would recommend that gun to anyone wanting a nice pump 410.
Likely pretty pricey now, but most any 410 will be.
Many shooters are handicapped when using a 410 just because they have been told over and over that 'it's just a 410' and it doesn't have the power of the bigger gauges.
That can get into your head.
But the velocity of the 410 is the same as the 12, 16 or 20 gauges..
right there at 1200fps.
The shot is traveling at the same speed.
There is just less of it in the payload that's all.
So you use a smaller shot size like #8 to increase the # of individual bb's in the pattern.
For hunting you will likely want to use larger shot, but again keep in mind that there will be very few pellets in the load.
Then limit your max distance to less than what you would take with the larger gauges do to the thinning out of the pattern at those longer distances....less bb's to fill in the same dia pattern circle.
Also you will do well to carefully pattern a 410 on paper.
The small bore is very touchy as to different loads, shot sizes, choke, shell mfg, ect.
Most single shot and inexpensive Sxs 410's are choked Full in some marketing idea to increase the range of the small bore.
Many are even Full+ and that can wreck the patterns with some loads.
Mod or even IC will often give a much more even pattern.
Patterns can vary wildly in a 410 from one OTC shell to another.
410 factory ammo is the most expensive to buy.
Reloading can really help you get the most from the 410 plus it makes it very inexpensive to load your own.
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My choices:
STEVENS .301 single shot- cheap, easy to use, reliable.
MOSSBERG 500- versatile, pump action, tried and true.
Stoeger side by side, break action. Tried and true, reliable, 100% more rounds than the Stevens, easy to use
STEVENS .301 single shot- cheap, easy to use, reliable.
MOSSBERG 500- versatile, pump action, tried and true.
Stoeger side by side, break action. Tried and true, reliable, 100% more rounds than the Stevens, easy to use
I'm not a big 410 fan for a hunting gun, but I agree if you stick to very close range, you can do o.k.
I'll go along with the other recommending a Mossberg if you want a repeater.
sw44spl
Member
Hey weatherby I have the same Mossberg bolt 410 from the 70s it has c-lect choke on it. A great little 410. I also have a Winchester steelbit single barrel 410.
I brought a Mossberg Silver Reserve 2 over/under home today, according to the sticker on the box it was packed 10/18/2016. Cost was just under $800 after taxes, seems to weigh a lot less than the others that were available, and it looks like the grease in the barrels is a little dusty. Think I will do some gun cleaning this afternoon, too hot to work outside.
Sorry no pictures, I don't have a hosting service.
Sorry no pictures, I don't have a hosting service.
I got a Savage 59A tube fed bolt action .410 on Christmas morning when I was 11. Christmas afternoon my dad was throwing clays so I could get the feel of it, and the next morning we were off to find pheasant. It proved too warm to get them to sit tight and not run off, but I did come home with a few quail and a couple of rabbits. I used it until I was old enough to by my own 20 ga., and then continued to use it because the only way I could miss with it was if I was blindfolded and facing the wrong direction. I used it so much that I wore the lug off the shell lifter. I just finally got it fixed 33 years later. "I'm not as good as I once was, but..." It sure brings back memories. When I get home, I'm digging out of the safe again, just because.
