Learning to shoot the .410

[Stan Hillis]

I can assure you guys that getting to be proficient with a .410 is light years easier with longer barrels. I began using .410 S X Ss at age 8, and now 63 years later I have formed some opinions about them. I want the longest barrels on mine that I can get. I currently own three .410 doubles with 30" barrels. I've also found that using them on game requires quite a different shooting technique than I use with my larger bore doubleguns. With the very light .410s I begin my "move" towards the mount by swinging the muzzles on the bird from a low gun position. I fire almost immediately upon the butt being seated in my shoulder pocket. With bigger bore guns I have a much more deliberate move ......... mounting the gun before making the "move" and establishing lead.

My three current 30" barreled .410 doubleguns:



However, I am still searching for the perfect .410 double ........... maybe a 32" ????????

[Bill Murphy]

Stan's problem is solved. A new gun.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

However, I am still searching for the perfect .410 double ........... maybe a 32" ????????

I’ve never had one of the Browning 725 32” 410’s in my hands but if the same thing in a 28 gauge is any indication I wouldn’t be adverse to a 32” 725 410 .

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

I’ve never had one of the Browning 725 32” 410’s in my hands but if the same thing in a 28 gauge is any indication I wouldn’t be adverse to a 32” 725 410 .

A friend has a Browning 725 Sporting in 410/32" and it works well for him but looks a bit ungainly to my eyes. Based on that perception I bought a 725 Sporting in 410/30". I also shoot Winchester Model 42's and with the longer sighting plane to include the 42 receiver a 26" barrel sights like a 29", 28" barrel like a 31". Protocol for me: use the 725 until the hulls are just about kaput for reloading and then shuck them through one of the 42's.

[Stan Hillis]

I'd love to try Murphy's long barreled Skeeter on some flying targets. I've never seen a 30" Skeeter .410 in person. Bring her down to Rick's for the Fall Southern, Bill. I'll bring cash.....

[Bill Murphy]

I am amazed at the price of .410 Skeeters recently. The price of my 30" gun surprised everyone who saw me buying it. Now "over $5000" is common. The easiest way to shoot a 32" .410 is to send one of your 32" 20 gauge 0 frame Parkers to Briley to be tubed. That may be my next project.

[Researcher]

Stan would look good with one of those 32-inch BHE .410-bores!!

[Stan Hillis]

Bill, I could never bring myself to send my beautiful 32" DHE 20 gauge tubes to Briley, or anywhere else that I couldn't drive them in person. They're just too precious, and beautiful, to entrust to any shipping.

[Stan Hillis]

I don't have a Southern accent ......... everyone else, not from around he'ah, just talks funny.

[Stan Hillis]

Belaboring an accent (or expletives), Southern or not, can lead to it being ignored, kinda like in the case of the boy who cried wolf. The trick is in using such appropriately, and judiciously.

Overdoing anything is not good, temperance being the key.