.410 shotgun for hunting backup

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.410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by samf » 24 Sep 2014, 12:27 pm

Hi guys,

Shotgun newbie here. I'd like a shotgun just to have one.

To have some fun with clays and as a backup for shooting a rabbit or fox if one springs up close, instead of destroying it with the rifle at closer range.

I think a .410 would be good. 12 gauge is more than I'd like to shoot regularly.

How would that go as a hunting backup and for some clay fun? Is it the same range but with less pellets to hit than a 12 gauge. Should still be plenty for a rabbit or fox right?
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Die Judicii » 24 Sep 2014, 1:19 pm

I hear what you are saying / asking...

But in the long run you'd probably end up going for a 12g anyway, so maybe buy once and cry once.

I had two 410 s as a teenager, and then when I got my 1st 12g, I've never looked back.

410 is ok for close range bunnies etc and wrigglers (in a shed),,,,,,,,, but you can do so much more with a 12g

If recoil is your worry, there are lighter recoil shells available, (I'm fairly sure)

A good quality gun usually doesn't have felt kick as much as the cheap and nasty ones do.

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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Warrigul » 24 Sep 2014, 2:32 pm

If it is close enough to hit with a shotgun it is close enough to head shoot with a rifle. Even a .410 often wrecks a rabbit. If I want eaters I use the rifle.

A .410 is expensive to run, limited in shot size and pretty much useless for 98% of the shots you will want to take.

But you really sound like you want one and whom am I to say other wise.

Just my humble opinions
Last edited by Warrigul on 24 Sep 2014, 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Mr.x » 24 Sep 2014, 6:24 pm

Why not a 20g ?
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by bigfellascott » 24 Sep 2014, 6:45 pm

Just go a cheap 12g mate, the 410g are ok but as Warrigul alluded to the 410g ammo is expensive ($25 per box) or there abouts verses $8 for the 12g (clay ammo). I've got a $60 Single Barrel that I use to bust clays and shoot foxes and bunnies with, does a fine job and didn't require a bank loan to buy so all good.

I often carry it and my rifle when it country where its scrubby/open, I've had the little buggers come stand right next to me and the 12g is real handy for quick shots like that.

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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Warrigul » 24 Sep 2014, 7:15 pm

bigfellascott wrote:Just go a cheap 12g mate, the 410g are ok but as Warrigul alluded to the 410g ammo is expensive ($25 per box) or there abouts verses $8 for the 12g (clay ammo). I've got a $60 Single Barrel that I use to bust clays and shoot foxes and bunnies with, does a fine job and didn't require a bank loan to buy so all good.

I often carry it and my rifle when it country where its scrubby/open, I've had the little buggers come stand right next to me and the 12g is real handy for quick shots like that.


I've used #7 clay cartridges on rabbits before when using a dog to drive, cheap shooting.

Some of the best shoots I have had were with a 12ga single barrel.
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Oldbloke » 24 Sep 2014, 7:39 pm

I use 1 oz 12g loads if I want to reduce meat damage, seems to help.
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by Timb0 » 25 Sep 2014, 8:02 am

I bought my only shotgun a while back for completely different reasons. Its a coach gun I mainly use to shoot solid slugs out of for hunting pigs in thick scrub.

When I was looking to buy one I wanted something that my partner could shoot also, just for a bit of fun nothing really serious. She is about 5'2" and 50kg and doesn't like a lot of recoil. A .410 would have been useless for me and a 12ga to big for the missus.

The bloke in the gun shop showed me something called a LittleSkeeter. They are an alloy insert to change 12ga to .410. I thought they were expensive at about $100 but they kept us both happy. I don't know what effect they have on shot pattern, but I don't really care as I don't take them too serious.

They might be of interest. http://www.littleskeeters.com/products.htm
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by samf » 25 Sep 2014, 1:25 pm

Warrigul wrote:A .410 is expensive to run


bigfellascott wrote:Just go a cheap 12g mate, the 410g are ok but as Warrigul alluded to the 410g ammo is expensive ($25 per box) or there abouts verses $8 for the 12g (clay ammo).


Ok I've got a wired crossed somewhere there then, didn't realise it was anywhere near that expensive to shoot.

Not worth getting for that factor alone.

$60 for a single barrel 12 gauge... can't go wrong with that price :D
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Re: .410 shotgun for hunting backup

Post by samf » 25 Sep 2014, 1:28 pm

Thanks Timbo. Good reading.
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