Author Topic: Opinions on thompson .410 (Read 1269 times)

Duane · « **on:** September 18, 2005, 02:13:52 AM »

Anybody own one and dp they us it for squirrel hunting and rabbits ? Which is better encore on contender ? what length barrel any help,opinions would be appreciated I presently hunt with a single six

MikeP · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2005, 01:43:56 AM »

I own a 10-inch contender .45/.410 but do not hunt game with it. I use the .410 barrel mostly for snakes, for which it is one of the best sidearms even for the fast-movers. Some people have reported good hunting results with the .410 barrel, which should be just about as effective as a normal .410 shotgun for game, which usually means something like 30 yards maximum for rabbits, squirrels, quail, etc.

I also use the barrel to shoot the .45/.444, otherwise known as the .450 Mongo. It is a necked-up .444 Marlin case to accept .45 bullets. It is a heavy-hitting combo which can be loaded much heavier than I am willing to shoot, such as loads equivalent to its parent cartridge and the .45/70. It can be used on just about anything you are willing to practice for.

Because of its versatility, I consider the .45/.410 barrel to be one of the very best survival tools ever designed, able to take any game with feathers and fur on the continent if you've got the skill to properly use it. That's a lot for such a small package.

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2005, 10:19:43 AM »

I have a contender 10 inch 45/410 with normal iron sights and not the vent rib.
I use this barrel for early squirrel season and rabbit hunting when I am "brush stomping" for them and the shot will have to be very fast.

It works well out to about 30 yards or so any further then that the pattern opens up way to much for a good shot. now if you should hit the squirrel /wabbit it will surly kill it.

I am now looking for a 15 inch encore barrel to replace the 10 inch contender. The 15 inch will not be as fast handling but should give a few more yards of reach
If you can own one and use it for hunting I would sudjest getting one and have fun with it.

Duane · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2005, 03:00:52 PM »

thanks for replying hink im gonna pick one up thanks again

rickyp · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2005, 03:04:03 PM »

what one you going to get?

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:15:48 AM »

I had owned a 10" and found it to be OK on small game out to about 20 yards. You are shooting a small bore to begin with and then add the factor of shooting a 10" barrel. I found it would kill squirrels out to 20 yards if they didn't move too fast. I foudn it to work on shooting ruffed grouse while cruising the roads in Maine. Again, not too far out.

I have a 16" .410 and find that it does work better, but not all that much. I'd say it adds a few extra yards, but with the .410 you have to be dead on or it is a miss.

Keith L · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2005, 10:04:15 AM »

Quote

with the .410 you have to be dead on or it is a miss.

And that is true no matter how long the barrel to the type of shotgun!

mikemayberry · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2005, 06:16:46 PM »

So do you think it would be a turkey gun on birds that were head shot within 20 yards? 12-14 inches would sure be handy.

Mike

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2005, 01:06:36 AM »

As Robert Ruark said," Use enough gun". I am sure that the .410 can be used on close range, head shots on turkey..and I am sure it has been done.. but I would not do it. Too much room for error.

It is one thing to shoot a ruffed grouse sitting on a log, it is another at a bird with the tenacity of a wild turkey.

sk330lc · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2005, 06:33:06 AM »

I just recently traded a 24" 243 barrel for a 15" 45/410 ss encore barrel. I've had it for a week now, I've shot two squirrels with it...
It patterns well out to about 25 yards using rem. 3" no. 6 shot.. from what I've seen so far, a Turkey would have to be about 10yards away before I would even think about taking a shot.. conditions would also have to be perfect ... I would hate my self to much to wound a bird.

For you veterans with the 45/410 . Whats the best way to get the plastic fouling out of the barrel???

rickyp · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2005, 08:32:15 AM »

sk330lc,
If you decide you want to trade that 15 inch 45-410 for a blued 15 inch 243 winchester let me know me :-)

sk330lc · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2005, 10:42:55 AM »

Rickyp,

I don't believe I would ever want to trade it.... The 45/410 is to much fun .. thanks though

rickyp · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2005, 10:59:03 AM »

I know how much fun they are,
I have a 10 inch 45-410 for my contender, but now that I got and encore I want one for it as well and I really want a 15 inch

Barely Tame · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2005, 01:58:56 PM »

I have an encore and the first barrel I purchased for it was the 15" .45/.410. It's just a blast -- well, not much of a blast, but adequate for sure. Mike P, your comments on shooting a .450 mongo through it peaked my interest. I have almost no experience with such things or reloading, but I want to learn. Question: is a .450 mongo through the >45/.410 barrel a black bear, elk, whitetail killer? My barrel has the vent rib, which I assume won't allow for a scope mount. Thanks everyone for your input.

Ron

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2005, 02:33:04 PM »

If you take the rib off, you should find holes tapped for either a scope or an open sight. At least that is what I found on my Super 16" .410

Barely Tame · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2005, 01:12:04 PM »

Thanks for the input, Bigbore. I'll check it out!

Ron

springer222 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2005, 02:51:17 AM »

I have taken a turkey with my 10" 410 barrel using #4's. We were hunting using the buddy system with my partner calling behind me and decoys between he and I. The shot was no more than 15 yards and was to the head. I will continue to hunt with my Contender, but I have recently purchased a 14" barrel and will pattern before next springs turkey season. It is a necessity to keep your shot well within the range of your barrel or you can forget a clean kill on the bird.