that would be a neat weapon, but I think in might opt for a 20 ga. over a Hornet, but the 22 mag. would be fine too..I guess I just like the Hornet...much would depend on what one wanted the drilling for...but I have had little success with the .410's we have owned in years past...
I am with you.
I think 20 ga is better as a general gun than the 410. Ammo cost alone will allow you to shoot almost 2 20 ga shells to every one 410 with a wider variety of loadings. I own a side by side 410 and have hunted with it quite a few times, but it was close quail and I needed to pick my shots.
The 22 Hornet would be a neat choice. Gives you the ability of animals up to deer (where legal).
I think again 22 LR being cheap and available. Some of the holy cow hyper loads come close to the 22 Mag.
Then again a Vierling (4 barrels) would be a neat choice. Adding a center fire large pistol round (357 mag or 44 Mag) or a medium powered rifle round like 35 Rem or 30-30 and a 22 LR in the upper rib as a total meat gun. Being able to wander the woods of the farm and being able to take quail, rabbit, tree squirrel, wood cock, deer or bear. The 20 ga will also allow the use of lead free shot for swamp ducks like mallards, teal, and wood ducks.
But now I am adding all kinds of costs to making a great little gun. Merkel makes some relitivly inexpensive drillings and in calibers like 22 Hornet. I say relitive inexpensive as SXS and drillings are very expensive.