What shot size with G2 410

[mb4859]

I'm still waiting on my new G2 to come in so I'm going this weekend to buy some 410 shells to rabbit and dove hunt around the house with.  What shot size have ya'll had the best luck with?  I know I'm going to have to start reloading brass or plastic to afford to shot the darn thing.  But for now I'll just suck it up and buy them.

[hunterspistol]

   I typically shoot snakes with mine, we have rattlesnakes out here.  I've used 7&1/2 shot, it's okay. The heavier #4 is better, or I think it is.

[Ken ONeill]

I use 6's for squirrels and rabbits, and they work fine. I'm the world's worst wingshooter, but if I was ever inclined to waste my shots on doves, I'd use 7 1/2's. 

[Ladobe]

Since we're in the handgun forum I assume you are asking about a short .410 barrel.

On the doves, with a pistol barrel it won't matter much because you won't hit any anyway.       

Years ago I did an evening hunt covering a watering hole they'd hit on the way to roost with a 10" 410.   Burned a lot of powder but never connected.   They were just too far out for the short tube to be effective.  BTW, I found out that evening that doves can laugh!     If I went out with my full choke 21" barrel I'd be using 7 1/2, 8 or 9 shot.   

I did better on rabbits with #4's than #6's with the pistol barrel, plus they work OK as backup on predator stands.

   

[Noreaster]

I've done allot of small game hunting with 410 shotgun. I use either 7 1/2 or 6 shot. I used #4 and it was a poor shot load for the little gun. I grew up with my grandfather and uncle hunting small game with a 410. Those guys were deadly with them and never felt undergunned, (grouse & rabbits.) Here in the Northeast it's pretty thick so the shots are close. 7 1/2 is hard to find in a rabbit, it sucks to bite down on 7 1/2 shot at supper time.

[1howie]

I've always had the best luck with 4 shot.  My 14" barrel is great on rabbits, pheasant, or anything else that lives in the brush - out to 30 yards.  Don't have the problem with the long barrel shotgun being tied up in the bushes and vines.

Just so you know:  It is illegal to shoot migratory game birds with a pistol. Dove, duck, woodcock, shorebirds, or game bird that is migratory.

 (Federal Regulation) Wildlife and Fisheries -Title 50: 20.21 - http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=9fee8e77cdac209f1d6ddda1a2e7e9ca&rgn=div5&view=text&node=50:6.0.1.1.3&idno=50#50:6.0.1.1.3.3.1.2

[mb4859]

Thanks, 1Howie I didn't know that.

[NASTYGUNZ]

I generally use 7 1/2 for a real good pattern in my T/C super 14.....

"(a) With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machinegun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance;"


I believe the content of this is meant for a pistol firing a solid projectile, not shot...I would email your local Fish & Game department and ask...then you have it in writing if they say yes.. bird laws are pretty subjective...for instance where I live you can use a .410 for waterfowl as long as you dont use lead shot...but you cant use a 410 for wild turkey under any circumstances...and we cant hunt dove...but we hunt crows with the 410's sometimes..and many, many people shoot crows with rifles..the .17 HMR being the new crow round of choice for many....Im not a lawyer...but I slept at a Best Western 

[NASTYGUNZ]

At 10 yards 2 many pellets to count in a squirrel target and at 20 yards multiple hits in the kill zone....used 7 1/2, 3 inch remington 410 shells.

This is the first one about gray squirrel size....took 21 hits at 20 yards...definite kill,



This is the second shot at 10 yards.....just peppered thickly....would ruin any eating im thinking...if you look close I think I killed a spider on the target lmao,

[Keith L]

I generally use 7 1/2 for a real good pattern in my T/C super 14.....

"(a) With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machinegun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance;"


I believe the content of this is meant for a pistol firing a solid projectile, not shot...I would email your local Fish & Game department and ask...then you have it in writing if they say yes.. bird laws are pretty subjective...for instance where I live you can use a .410 for waterfowl as long as you dont use lead shot...but you cant use a 410 for wild turkey under any circumstances...and we cant hunt dove...but we hunt crows with the 410's sometimes..and many, many people shoot crows with rifles..the .17 HMR being the new crow round of choice for many....Im not a lawyer...but I slept at a Best Western 

I recall barrel and overall length restrictions for shotguns you may be violating if you try to re-define a TC pistol as a shotgun. 

In some states minimum barrel length and shoulder firing are specified,  Check state laws as well before hunting with one.

[HHI-7420]

1howie, I checked with the wildlife dept. in Panama City, Fla. and they said that as long as I used the correct shot(I wanted to hunt woodducks), it would be okay. I also showed them my 14" barrel to be sure they understoodwhat I was asking about.  Pat

[Ladobe]

I recall barrel and overall length restrictions for shotguns you may be violating if you try to re-define a TC pistol as a shotgun. 

In some states minimum barrel length and shoulder firing are specified,  Check state laws as well before hunting with one.

It was not illegal to hunt doves with the TC pistol in the state I was in way back when I did it (I also went to the DFG and asked them first), but that was far enough back maybe the federal regs were not set yet.    As Keith suggested check with your states wildlife department, but also get them to give you a copy of their regs that allow what you want to do.   Having it in writing takes the monkey off your back.

Re legal shotgun specifications (BATF): barrel length, overall length, etc do not pertain to TC factory shotgun pistol barrels as long as they are being used in pistol configuration.   

[mb4859]

I went to a gun show here in NW Arkansas today and bought 4#'s of 296 410 powder and 1000 primers.  I've bought several different sizes of shots to try and pattern it before I buy my shot.  Now I'm looking for a good used reloader, some hulls and I'm in buisness.  Thanks for all your advice.  This forum is the best!!!

[dakotashooter2]

I've shot plenty of pigeons with the encore 45/410 and doves wouldn't be that hard provided you can get within range. However the restriction for migratory birds are Federal Regulations. A Federal Warden may not have the same viewpoint as your state G&F if he catches you. You might want to check at the federal level.

[1howie]

Wow, did not think my post would fire up people as much as it did.

In Ohio, I know it is illegal, according to a local game protector I talked to 25 years ago.  Actually bought the 45/.410 T/C to hunting morning doves and other game as a challenge.  The penalties for hunting/fishing illegally in Ohio are pretty nasty.  They can take your vehicle, boat, gun or whatever as "tools of the trade" as they call it, for violating the law - one of the reasons i got out of duck hunting.   I'm sure the federal laws are not strict as state laws.     I wouldn't take the local game protector opinion on it but check with the fed's as well.  It's pretty simple to covert the pistol to a legal shotgun, so i would not take the chance myself.

You have to realize these are Tribal (Native American) and international laws as well.  Some of these birds are considered sacred by the Natives so be careful. Whatever you do; do not shoot a crow in front of a Native American - that includes Canada!