Author Topic: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot  (Read 1008 times)

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Offline KYBOY

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.410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« on: September 09, 2006, 03:54:53 PM »
My single shot is showing a disticnt prefernce in the 2 1/2" over the 3" at the longer ranges in patterning. The 3" seem to have holes in the pattern past 18 yards or so. Anyone else noticed this?
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2006, 12:40:57 PM »
Most all gages will give the best patterns with reg field loads. magnums have long been massaged to give better patterns. the 410 is bottom of the barrel as related to shotgun patterning technologies. heck its a simple shot cup inside...no cushion...its no wonder a lighter load patterns better, it doesnt devote the shot as badly.....

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Offline Brett

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2006, 03:23:44 PM »
Yep same here.  This seems to be the norm with .410s.
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Offline DaveH

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2006, 02:39:12 PM »
Agreed all my .410 seem to shoot better with the 2 1/2 in shells.  So I've stopped buying the 3 in loads and only shoot the 2 1/2 in load now.
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Offline mogwai

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2006, 03:54:13 AM »
I have a pair of chamber inserts that will allow me to shoot .410 in my 20 ga.  Have bought some 3" 4s for squirrel hunting, will test the pattern later today.

Offline Hairtrigger

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2006, 03:59:19 AM »
My local Wally World has Federal #6 in 2 1/2 shells for $3.50.
I rarely shoot 410 but I purchased plenty.

Offline mogwai

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2006, 11:56:02 AM »
I have a pair of chamber inserts that will allow me to shoot .410 in my 20 ga.  Have bought some 3" 4s for squirrel hunting, will test the pattern later today.
I shot a 3" shell @ 25 yds and was not impressed by the pattern.  There was a 10" circle at the center of the "pattern" where shot density was high enough that it might have reasonably killed a squirrel.  Not much of a pattern other than that.

BTW, the shotgun is modified choke.  Guess I'll return to shooting 20ga #6 for squirrels

Offline John020769

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Re: .410......2 1/2" vs 3" in your single shot
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2006, 11:38:14 AM »
First time using 410 my mothers gun Used both 2 1/2 and 3 in 3 in did better (passed away 3yrs ago) shot at 3 squirrels got 1 after I got used to get right up close big fox squirrel fell just like I shot it with a 12 ga maybe 10 yrds. I will put it back on wall  :'( and use for rabbit this winter until then the 12 ga and when leaves fall 17 HMR will come back out  8) ...............John   P.S. 3in got the squirrel more shot..........