Shotgun question

[Atroxus]

I have a friend that told me I could borrow one of his shotguns for bird hunting. When I was in hunter's education I seem recall them saying that the shotgun could not be capable of holding more than 3 rounds including the one in the chamber. One is a single shot .410 so number of cartridges would be a non-issue for that, though I am not sure I would want to start bird hunting with a .410. The other shotgun is a 12 gauge auto-loader though and I am pretty sure it holds more than 3 cartridges. Is there anyway that the 12 gauge could be made to hold fewer cartridges and be used legally, or would I have to use the .410 to be legal?

[270Shooter]

What kind is it? Im sure you could get a plug for it.

[carpsniperg2]

you can make some plugs or get a new one for it. take two 2 3/4" shells and put them in the tube. then try one more, if that one goes you know it needs a plug. i have had a plastic body of a pen in one of my guns, that i cut down to fit in as a plug. when the gun did not come with one when i got it. most bigger sporting good stores should have one that should fit.

[bobcat]

I would do as the others suggested and get a plug for the 12 gauge. You don't want to be using a 410 unless you're really looking for a challenge.

[follow maggie]

Like others have said, a dowel is a good cheap fix.  If you can shoot birds with a .410, you're better than me.

[wildweeds]

I've been using a .410 for a couple years now on some hunts,I use  it exclusively on westside birds and preserve hunts.I would however advise to make a plug for the 12.I shoot clays every weekend during the spring and summer with the .410.My other hunting gun is a 20 gauge O/U choked IC and Mod.

  No matter the gauge or the choke one must remember the basics....................Butt,Belly,Beak,Bang and if a crossing shot is made,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,follow through and swing smooth.

[Bob33]

You've asked a good question, and it is easy to answer.  The law is clear: you cannot legally hunt waterfowl of upland birds with a shotgun that is capable of holding more than three rounds.  That means that even if you hunted with only one round in the chamber and none in the magazine, it would still be illegal if it could hold three or more in the magazine.

As stated, it is generally very simple to create your own plug: dowels, sticks, or fancy store bought plugs all do the same thing: they limit the magazine to two rounds.  Make sure to check with unfired 2 3/4" unfired shotgun shells.  If it only holds two or less, you're legal.

Happy hunting.

[Atroxus]

Cool, thanks for the info everyone. If there are store bought plugs available I will probably go that route. I would hate to make one myself and break something on my friend's gun, or get a plug stuck in there.

[ICEMAN]

Atroxus,  elcheapo generic plastic plugs are ususally sold at Wallyworld or similar for a few bucks. Hacksaw to the lenght you need. My buddy used a carpenters pencil in the duck blind a few years ago....he forgot to bring the correct plug length for waterfowl and made a plug in the dark with the pencil and a pocket knife....

[CP]

Midway USA has replacement plugs for most guns.

[high country]

you will not break anything by putting a plug into the gun. unscrew the cap...it will have spring tension on it and it will expose the spring. the plug goes in the center of the spring. if you need to figure the length of the plug, load the magazine with as many shells as it will hold. eject them all. set two aside. the length of the remaining shells is the aproximate lenght of the plug you need. a simple piece of 1/4" dowel will work fine. install in the center of the spring and replace the cap. reload the magazine and it should now only hold 2 shells.