New old tool. The 410

[DonF]

Last couple of time's out rather than taking my 28ga, I took my 410. I've had a bunch of shells given to me some time ago and figured I'd use them up rather than expensive 28's, even though I reload the 28's. A lot of these 410 shells are very old paper hulls, one box of imported, Rio. Most of them are 2 1/2", 1/2 oz, #6 shot. Two boxes are 3", 3/4oz, #6 shot. I wondered if i could even hit a pigeon with the thing, yes I can. Like magic! And even the 1/2 oz loads drop big pigeons very well. On an even better side, the 1/2oz load doesn't mess up the bird if hit a bit to hard. Was out with Gertis awhile back and blew one up with a 3/4oz load from my 28ga. It was for Bodie and he refused to pick it up and bring it back. No, I am not going to force him to put groul in his mouth.

The gun is pretty much like my 28ga. AyA Matador SxS with 26" barrels, 2" shorter than my 28ga. It a bit lighter than my 28 and points a bit better. I think that's from the short barrels. Short barrels have always pointed better for me, longer barrels swing better for me.

All the older shells except one box of Reo's, are paper with a card over the shot and a roll crimp. Not gonna be trying to reload them. But I bought a couple box's of new stuff a while back and at the cost of them, gonna get a 410 press. They were about $14 per 50 if I remember. 28's are about $18 per 25 for field loads and about $11 per 25 for target loads. Any of you guy's have a 410 you should try it, this is great. Of course if you don't have one, the 28 is light, works fine and affordable if you reload it! My training guns years sago were either a SxS 12 ga with 1 1/8 oz loads or my 16ga with 1 oz loads. Both are a lot heavier than my 410 or 28.

[topher40]

I routinely shoot roosters with mine, I train EXCLUSIVELY with my .410 and wouldnt change a thing. Guys laugh when I pull it out of the truck but when we get back to the truck I am the one laughing while I am counting my harvest.

[Maurice]

I use my 410 for training a lot too. I also hunt with it some. It kills birds just fine.

Mo

[DonF]

You guy's should have told me about that years ago! Love it!!!!!!!!!

[Vman]

I have a Browning Model 42 .410 that sat in my safe for years, and I always wanted to use it for pheasants, so finally this year I decided to use it. It is a deadly little gun. I am shooting 3in. 4s and they do the job and the birds are not shot up. Its fun.

[bonasa]

I got my press off deseeker on this site for use with my .410 reloads. 3" 5/8 ounce of copper plated 8's doing 1275 puts a hurting on anything inside 30 yards. Anyway early season grouse and woodcock along with preserve hunts . Great for training, especially in thick timber.

[birddogger]

I feel bad, I have shot all kinds of guns and hunted all my life......And apparently, you guys are much better shots than I am.

Charlie

[Wilber]

I have a Savage Stevens single shot .410 that my Dad gave me when I was 12. I still take it out early season on grouse. Unfortunately I still don't hit with it any better than when I was 12. But it is fun to carry and shoot. Going through an old tackle box recently I found some paper hull .410 slugs! Boy do I remember stalking those mythical trophy bucks in rural CT. Fortunately they all escaped.

[DonF]

I feel bad, I have shot all kinds of guns and hunted all my life......And apparently, you guys are much better shots than I am.

Charlie

I wondered about that when I first though of taking it out. You might surprise yourself if you try it.

[birddogger]

You may be right Don, since I haven't used one in over 50 yrs. I may have to give it a try sometime.

Charlie