Looking for a 410 for the boy

[100 grain]

I have a 12-year-old who I would like to go upland bird hunting with and he doesn’t like 12 or 20 gauge’s. He’s shot a 410 and seems to really like it. I was hoping someone might want to part with one. I live in Walla Walla but I will be traveling to Bremerton/west side November 7th-9th. Any leads would be appreciated.

[BigGoonTuna]

Check around the Walmart’s in your area, most stock mossberg 500s in .410, they run around $250. Just picked one up a couple months ago.

[100 grain]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Oldguy]

The mossberg is a good idea.

[Woodhunter]

Brings back memories.  My first gun was a bolt action Mossberg.  Magazine held 2 shells. Vertical stack.  Darn thing had a Poly Choke and 28 inch barrel!

Slayed many a Squirrel, Bob White Quail, even a couple of Turkeys.    This was way back in the late 1950's way down in the Georgia Swamps.

No. 6 shot for Squirrel.  No. 8 for the Quail.    Got both Turkeys with No. 6 shot, head shots, shooting from a blind.   Dad yelped them in.

For the first couple of years I carried the .410 empty.  Dad would give me one shell when game was close.   He taught me to make one shot count.

Still have the .410 and Dad's Turkey yelpers.

Next in line was a 22 rimfire.   Then a 22 Hornet.   Got a 257 Roberts for my 16th birthday.

[duckmen1]

I would highly recommend the CZ drake 410 over under. Fixed chokes. Improved cylinder and modified. I've killed many many quail, some pheasants and grouse as well as 4 turkeys with this gun and love it. Super light and very minimal recoil. Feels great as well. Great gun to 25 yards solid. But have made 30 yard shots on turkey as well running tss turkey loads.

[100 grain]

Woodhunter, that’s the type of story I’m trying to recreate! Thanks

Duckmen1, I am unfamiliar but I’ll look into it for sure. Thanks

[Woodhunter]

When you have the shotgun, take your son and the gun out to a safe shooting area.  Set up some large cardboard sheets with a 30 inch circle drawn on the cardboard.   Have your son shoot at the circles.  Maybe 10 yards to start.   This will let you see where the main shot impact is and how he is holding the gun.

Make adjustments to the holding position as necessary.   This lets your son get used to the shotgun and where it hits according to his point of aim. 

Add a grouse or rabbit silhouette and start over.

Increase up to 30 yards.   This will give your son a good idea of how much area on the target is by passed by the shot.  "Holes in the pattern" we call them.    Explains some of the misses when you are sure you had a good hold.

[wags]

Are you sure you can't talk him into a 20 gauge? Ammo is so expensive for a 410, the selection of ammo is very limited, and he'll be disappointed in a 410's performance on game.
Have you tried borrowing a 20 gauge and getting some target loads for him to try? If you do make sure he has good hearing protection, a lot of intimidation among young and first time shooters is caused be the loud noise associated with shooting.

[Henrydog]

I 100% agree with you wags.  Recoil from shotguns is due to the weight of the load.  Felt recoil is due to gun fit.  A youth 20ga with a 7/8 load will have next to no recoil.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Guns and ammo section all the way

[100 grain]

Thanks for the ideas. I am thinking about a 20 gauge now and ways to minimize recoil. You’re probably right with the noise created by them being intimidating. Thanks guys!