One of those deals......

[MarketHunter]

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.

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[Tom Hawkins]

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.

[Ruff Hunter]

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.

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[wayne goerres]

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

[Roundsworth]

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!

[gman]

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.

[George Lang]

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.