Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns What to do with a .410?

I bought a Mossberg pump .410 that I really don't have a need for other than I always admired the Winchester 42 and I never had a .410. The little Mossberg kind of reminded me of one, if I squint hard and stand a ways off.

Other than taking shots at starlings around the house I don't really have the need for one.

What do you guys do with one?

Dove & quail hunt with my old Winchester 42 / 410here in Texas with it.
That is when I run out of 28ga shells for my Model 12

I found myself in the exact spot with the same gun about 4 mo ago. I ended up selling it to a co worker. His son uses it for squirrels and bunnys which would be fine but certainly nothing I cant do with my 20ga at about half when it comes to buying shells. Having said that I just bought a 410 insert sort of just because. The 410 has it uses I suppose but the cost of shells and the avaliability of better tools for hunting makes it more of a novelty for me. YMMV

Going to try and bag a ptarmigan with my 870 .410. Maybe a hun too.

Occasionally I get a very close shot on singles and pairs, which would be a perfect time to be carrying the .410.

To use it seriously you need to handload. Then you could get to be a really fine wingshot and use it for anything that you'd use a 20 or a 28 for.

I hunt with a guy who uses a .410 SxS for everything but wild, late season roosters and waterfowl, and he seldom misses and has never wounded a bird that I could tell when I was hunting with him. He practices A LOT! A lot more than most of us have the time or $$$$ for.

For most of us, a .410 is about the best small game gun--bunnies and squirrels unless you won't shoot them with a shotgun--that there is. And good for "things that go bump in the night" when loaded with buckshot. And a PRIMO snake killer, if you have to.

I was in Cabelas a couple weeks ago.
Box of .410 was about $15
It was a box of 25 rds. ; 2-1/2" ; #8 ; Rem Express
Cabelas had several boxes for sale.

When I ended up with a .410 a few months ago, the price of factory ammo made me hyperventilate.

The solution was to handload. The best part of this DIY project was that .444 Marlin brass is a perfect substitute for 2.5" .410 hulls. They will last forever so one less consumable component to purchase.

The information on how to handload .410 ammo with .444 Marlin brass is easy to find on the Web.

Lots!! Skeet, sporting clays, rabbits, tree rats, snakes. I have a 870 in .410 and done use it much and wonder why every time I shoot it. There great!

Sold my last .410 870 to one of my former students.. Now the little chit won't consider selling it back.. That was a big mistake, but he and his wife love it.. But really, my little 28 ga. is a bit better bird gun...

.410s for game, in the wrong hands is a crippler. I'm not good enough to use one on live targets.

Bullchit your not good enough! I respect your choice not to do so.

Any gauge is a crippler in the wrong hands, and Im pretty sure you are good enough to use one

+1 on the .444 cases. Works.

Facts are facts and I ain't good enough to consistently center live game with a .410. I'm not even sure if the stringy pattern of a .410 is consistent enough to allow me to do so if I was.

We still on for Addiville? I've got the time off so I hope so. Been too long since we shot and BS'd some together. Tent?

And you ain't getting any younger.

Yes we are still on unless you don't want to head this way. Are you coming with your buddy?

I planned on it if you are going. Not sure if he is going with his wife. However told him I would be shooting and hanging with you guys.

I went dove hunting several years ago (30?) with my now deceased father in-law. I had an inexpensive SxS (Savage Fox B), he had a Wnchester Model 42. I thought to myself; self, that old man isn't going to get a single bird with that little gun. Young and dumb. The old man wore me out.
Before he died in '95 with cancer he gave me that little gun. And do you know what? I can actuall hit with it......I miss that old man.

Took my .410 to the skeet range, why dont I shoot this gun more?! Crushes targets, I really wish we had a dove season I think this gun would be perfect for opening day birds.

Passport don't feel bad no Dove season here either. It sucks.