It's all about faith in the gun, and the loads you're using. I can just remember a few occasions when I tried using a Model 42 Winchester I used to own on squirrels and even blackbirds, I couldn't seem to kill a thing with it. When I did get a squirrel on the group they were almost always a cripple that had to be finished off. That being said, if a man takes his time and has faith in the gun, I'm sure they'll do the job.

Tight choked .410s should always be checked for point of impact. When I would shoot a 20 to 25 yard preserve pheasant with my modified and full L.C. Smith .410 with 3" #7 1/2 or #6, it was almost embarrassing to see the carnage. There isn't anything wrong with a tight choked .410 with 3" shells if it shoots to point of aim and the shooter knows what end the shot comes out.

Tight choked .410s should always be checked for point of impact. When I would shoot a 20 to 25 yard preserve pheasant with my modified and full L.C. Smith .410 with 3" #7 1/2 or #6, it was almost embarrassing to see the carnage. There isn't anything wrong with a tight choked .410 with 3" shells if it shoots to point of aim and the shooter knows what end the shot comes out. By the way, I don't do that any more.

410
 

Great find on that one. I had the same ideas about getting a 410 as you Destry. I few years back we were at a small gun show and saw a 311. The guy wanted $550 for it. My friend picked it up and swung it. He said something isn't right. The barrels were bent. He asked me what I thought had caused it. I told him it was most likely a tree. Bill is on the money about point of aim especially on the later 410's.

As a kid on the East coast I hunted rabbits (with Beagles) almost exclusively with an Ithaca NID .410. Its a very unforgiving gauge (caliber, actually), but if you do your part at reasonable ranges, it will topple the game. I killed a truck load of running rabbits with it over the years, almost as many squirrels, and even managed to knock a grouse or two out of the air as well.

I confess that, among my rusty Parkers, there is a Montgomery Wards Stevens .410, which is not a bad gun at all. I was surprised to find that the Red Head pad on my .410 was factory equipment.

Ok Now the truth comes out. I am sure you will find more than one or two scattered through out the membership.

I am guilty! My everyday grouse gun is a DeHaan SgRS in .410. My hands, arms and right shoulder are soup sandwiches, so a 5-1/2 pound double is a joy to carry all day. I have other SxSs for nostalgia hunts!

I have some nice 410s but my retail store gun is a Hi Standard K 410 mint shape.It's a nice little shooter in a skeet grade. A friend at the range suggested that you might not want to bother patterning a 410 then you won't worry about it. They are fun to shoot in close on the sporting clay course and at plantation pheasant once I get a couple in the bag with the Parkers.

My first shotgun was a Winchester model 42 .410 ga given to me by my Dad. Used it on ducks(3" # 6's) and killed my first black duck with it and many rabbits(over beagles) and squirrels, till I was informed by others it wasn't a good "killer". So next Christmas Dad gave me a Stevens 311 20 gauge(2 3/4" only). Better, I guess, but I still used the .410 over dekes or on small game. I kept the "big guy for pass shooting and Brant & Geese. Wish I still had the Win 42, but I don't, but my Grandson still uses the 311 for just about anything.