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Post by pposey on Sept 28, 2011 19:38:06 GMT -5
Thinking about trading for a used one for my kids to use on squirrels,,, just how effective are they? I have a single shot 20 ga but it may recoil a little hard for them
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Sept 29, 2011 4:45:39 GMT -5
Poss,
I grew up dragging a .410 around. They are great for small game. Fewer pellets yes: Less speed/energy per pellet? NO.
I would say 25 yds and in you will be FINE. Back in the day, my favorite rabbit/squirrel load was a 3" Winchester with 11/16 oz of #4 shot. I also broke lots of hand thrown clay birds with that gun and 2 1/2" 1/2Oz 9's.
HR used to make a very handy little break barrel for well under $200. Perfect for a youth.
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 29, 2011 9:05:56 GMT -5
I grew up with a Savage 24. I have to agree the load of #4s is great on squirrel. If you get good with a .410 stepping up to a 20 or 12ga makes you lazy
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Post by mike3132 on Sept 29, 2011 9:45:20 GMT -5
I too use a .410 for most of my small game hunting. Single shot 94C Stevens that Ive owned since age 9. This is an old gun thats got a real nice walnut stock. Ive killed pickup truck loads of rabbit and squirrel with this gun over the years. Favorite shell is 3" #4 shot. Ive killed coon, possum, rabbits, squirrels, woodcock, grouse, pheasant and a coyote with the gun. I reload my own shells but the other day at Walmart i saw the same loads for $15.99 a box. Mike
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Post by pposey on Sept 29, 2011 15:22:59 GMT -5
well OK then,, recoil is alot less than a 20ga I take it?? Bot kids are pretty good shots with the .22lr but on game a .410 could be a major advantage and confidence builder
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Post by pposey on Sept 29, 2011 15:24:47 GMT -5
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Post by rossman40 on Sept 29, 2011 18:39:44 GMT -5
For a 10 to 12 year old the .410 is perfect starter. A single shot like a H&R with a 22" or if you can find one, 20" barrel works great. You may have to chop the stock a bit if they are a bit smaller in the build, then add spacers as they grow. You can start them out on the lighter loads and let them pop some balloons (balloons are cheap targets that gets kids attention), then maybe some clays, 25 rounds in a slow pace should not hurt them. See how they take to it and then step them up to the heavier loads. Hardest thing to teach is angle and speed = amount of lead or "see the lead". Once they get that down work on the finer points.
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