Who uses .410 shotguns for upland???....I have questions.

[jrebel]

Had an impulse buy today..... ....and now own a .410 break action shotgun.  It is the turkey model and came with the turkey / extra full choke for TSS loads.  This is cool as I will be whacking a turkey with it at some point, but in the interim we will be targeting grouse.  What choke size do you guys like in your .410's for grouse? 

We have killed many grouse with a .410 with a fixed choke / non interchangeable.  I assume it is a modified but have never paid that much attention. 

What do you guys like for grouse in the .410? 

[NRA4LIFE]

Modified for sure.  I have never turkey hunted with mine.  Run modified in both of them.  Great grouse caliber.

[ghosthunter]

 My grandson wacks them with a old partner break 410 with full choke.

[duckmen1]

I have a 410 CZ Drake over and under. Improved cylinder and modified. Hand load foreverything from quail to turkey. Including waterfowl. I love bismuth for standard game loads but starting to hand load tss as well with great results. Pic is a 9 inch square ar 25 yards with 9 shot tss.

[HooknoseHunter]

I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster .410 with 25” barrel and fixed full choke. I use apex Turkey ninja TSS for turkeys and Remington 3” #6s for grouse. I use 3” federal #7.5’s for quail. I’ll never hunt upland again (except for pheasants) with anything other than my .410.

[Dave Workman]

My .410 double is a Stoeger Uplander, with fixed fulls.  I use a 3-inch No. 6 or 7 1/2 for grouse.
Always like a little challenge, and those who fancy themselves as upscale sportsmen using 28-gauge guns may think they're "hoity toity," but it is the .410-bore shooter who really has the right to strut! 

[hawks33]

I have a couple OU break action savage .410s I've used for grouse. I've had no issue dropping them with 8 shot. Using a break action has made me a better shot...take my time more than I did with my pump 20 gauge

[GASoline71]

I have an old Mossberg .410 pump with a fixed full choke.  Great grouse gun.  I also use a Stevens 16 gauge side by side with a fixed modified and fixed full.

Gary

[jdb]

I have two .410’s with fixed chokes. One modified one full. Go full 6’s or 7 1/2’s

[jrebel]

Thanks guys....you all confirmed what I was thinking.  Just ordered a full and a Modified choke.  Probably didn't need both, but what the hay....I like having options. 

[Dave Workman]

http://www.thegunmag.com/dont-pity-the-pipsqueak-the-410-still-gets-it-done/

Inspired by this thread, I wrote the little piece for TheGunMag.com, where I am editor-in-chief.  I hope you all enjoy!

Pity Not, the ‘Pipsqueak’—The .410 Still Gets It Done
By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
I have to sometimes chuckle at winghsooters who have adopted the 28-gauge as their smoothbore of choice for upland birds and game, claiming it to be the more “sporting” choice for a real challenge, and then raise an eyebrow and look down their noses at the diminutive .410 bore.

[crazywednesday]

Damn you all. Just as I was getting used to my 20 ga for the last 3 years; now I have to buy a 410! This is ridiculous. Actually, what are your best 410 recommendations for upland hunting pheasant/quail/partridge? I have a firearms problem. Im only bitching because Im out of room in the safes.

[Dave Workman]

Damn you all. Just as I was getting used to my 20 ga for the last 3 years; now I have to buy a 410! This is ridiculous. Actually, what are your best 410 recommendations for upland hunting pheasant/quail/partridge? I have a firearms problem. Im only bitching because Im out of room in the safes.

 

Well, gotta keep up with us sophisticates!  If you read my story (above) in The Gun Mag, you'll get some tips on loads.
I think the .410 is a great little scattergun, and it is highly underrated by some folks.

GROUSE SEASON OPENS ONE MONTH FROM TODAY (9/15/22)  Read your game regs.

[h2ofowlr]

Had an impulse buy today..... ....and now own a .410 break action shotgun.  It is the turkey model and came with the turkey / extra full choke for TSS loads.  This is cool as I will be whacking a turkey with it at some point, but in the interim we will be targeting grouse.  What choke size do you guys like in your .410's for grouse? 

We have killed many grouse with a .410 with a fixed choke / non interchangeable.  I assume it is a modified but have never paid that much attention. 

What do you guys like for grouse in the .410?

Just keep your eyes open for shells.  They were nearly impossible to find for 2 years and now finally showing up on shelves again.  I would get a few boxes, so you have them just in case.

[jrebel]

Had an impulse buy today..... ....and now own a .410 break action shotgun.  It is the turkey model and came with the turkey / extra full choke for TSS loads.  This is cool as I will be whacking a turkey with it at some point, but in the interim we will be targeting grouse.  What choke size do you guys like in your .410's for grouse? 

We have killed many grouse with a .410 with a fixed choke / non interchangeable.  I assume it is a modified but have never paid that much attention. 

What do you guys like for grouse in the .410?

Just keep your eyes open for shells.  They were nearly impossible to find for 2 years and now finally showing up on shelves again.  I would get a few boxes, so you have them just in case.

We went on the hu t for ammo immediately after buying the gun.  I now have 200 rounds of 2 1/2” 7.5 and 50 rounds of 3” 6’s.   I paid a premium for the 3” but thought it would be nice to have.  Still look every time I hit up a gun store.   Also will be looking for a good turkey load for next spring. 

My son keeps telling me, the grouse are in trouble this year.   

[pd]

My son keeps telling me, the grouse are in trouble this year.

Johny, that is the nicest thing that I have read in a while.  You have done well, Dad.

[jrebel]

My son keeps telling me, the grouse are in trouble this year.

Johny, that is the nicest thing that I have read in a while.  You have done well, Dad.

Thank you.....He really is a good kid.  I love bragging him up.  He is always impressing me with his decisions and consideration for others.  Just this last week we took two co-workers to the property bear hunting.  Me and my son were going to split off with the two co-workers and hope we could get them their first bears.  Keeping in mind....my son has been named the, "Bear Whisperer"....as he has killed 6 bears at the young age of 12.  At no point was he ever upset that he was not the shooter.....he was super excited to get another hunter their first bear.  Needless to say, they co-worker that went with my son shot a bear on the first evening.  My son was so excited and enthusiastic.....it was awesome to see. 

The first year my daughter decided to hunt big game...(she is two years older than my son)....he said, "Dad....My sister gets first shot this year, I want her to get a deer this year."  I'm pretty sure he was 11.....what 11 year old thinks like that???  Proud dad moment.

This year was the same response when he found out we were taking the two co-workers.  He loves seeing others be successful...never getting down when he is not the one pulling the trigger. 

At 12 he has quite the resume.....5 deer, 6 bear, 1 moose, lots of turkey and a couple grouse.  This year he is sure to add to all those categories.  If he kills one more bear he will have more than his old man.  If he gets his moose this year, he will be tied with me.  Now If we could get lucky and find him an elk.....That would be down right amazing. 

[jrebel]

Well, got out and sighted in the .410 with the new red dot.  This thing is great fun to shoot and is very accurate.  Number 6 3" shells with the super full (turkey) choke has a very nice pattern out to 40 yards.  The 2.5" 8's and 9.5's with the same choke will kill grouse without a problem.  Hopefully here a few weeks, I can add photos of the grouse and turkey that succumb to acute lead poisoning.   

[Dave Workman]

 

It's WAR on grouse!  Kicks off Thursday. 

Don't forget to shoot photos as well as birds. 

Watch your background (be sure there is nobody standing in the background taking a squirt). Wear a big smile (you're supposed to be having FUN!), hold your gun safely while holding up/admiring your bird(s), and please provide the details for the rest of us:
(i.e. where, when, gun (make and model)/load (Federal, Winchester or Remington?)/gauge: 12, 16 20, 28 or .410? )  Here's a photo example. Notice even this ugly SOB can smile. Gun held properly, bird up for display is center of attention...