real world differnce between 2.5 and 3 inch 410 ammo???

.....On the skeet field you will lose a few targets regardless of how good a shot you are, but some find that the attraction to this gauge.
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False...I average the same numbers in all gauges 95-98% and actually higher in the smaller gauges. If you're on, you're on...gauges makes no difference.
 
I shoot a 410 better than a 12 gauge because of anticipation of recoil, on days when I'm in the "groove" I'm good for 22 or 23 targets nearly every time and sometimes I'll get lucky and hit 24, I've cleaned the score card but only with a 20, 410 is more enjoyable to shoot for me.
 
The only difference I see is one has more shot than the other. I prefer 3 inch shells myself, although I have used the 2.5 inch as well.
 
2K:
With those Browning Tungsten loads costing 5.25+ shipping and tax per shell I can imagine most folks wouldn't be inclined to testing them on paper or over a chronograph
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Very true. They are almost too expensive to shoot. I bought the one box, still have three left.
I also tried loading my own .410s and 20s with Supershot (from BPI). Even that is really way up on the high side of cost. The shells/loads do work though. #9 TSS shot pellets each have the same weight as lead #7.5s.
One ounce of TSS #9 shot amounts to 420 pellets (Lead #9s are at 568). Lead 7.5s are at 338 pellets.


TSS #9 pellets 1/4 oz weighed and counted = 105.
 
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I gave up on 3 inch hulls and just ordered 300 2.5 inch hulls. That will keep me busy for a good length of time. I need to find some 7 1/2 shot, since all I have right now is #5, and I think that is too big to be practical for the 410. I will look for 3 inch hulls after the election freakout is over and things get to whatever the new normal will be. This will be a learning experience. Thanks to all, and I might take Double K s offer up and torture myself. Grant.
 
My skeet loads are #8 1/2 shot with Hodgdon LiLgun powder, it's pretty windy here so I use #6 on the going away targets often.
Nothing quite as satisfying as dusting both station 8 targets with a 410.
 
.410 and shot size

My Dad and I did quite a bit of rabbit hunting w/ beagles and .410s. My observations on the .410 from those days is that most folks that hunt it use shot size that is too large. The small payloads in the .410 yield very thin patterns with shot any larger than #6, yet one frequently finds (or used to) #5 and #4 for sale in the 3" shell, and of course, folks buy and hunt them.

Dad and I deemed the 3"-#7-1/2 load best and that is all we shot. Guns were full choke of course, Win 37's, a High Standard pump, clunker Mossberg and Savage bolts, and Dad's last .410, a Springfield 67.
 
If I could extend this conversation a bit, for those of you who love your .410s and are successful with them...what choke are you using?

I ask because I bought a SxS .410 late last year, and in the three times I have had it squirrel hunting I haven't come home with anything. Using Winchester 3" 3/4oz 6 shot, if I recall correctly, with improved modified and full chokes. I didn't think I was that bad with a shotgun, but I might be. :confused:

To add to this, last week I went out with a 20 gauge imp. cyclinder with 7/8 oz 6 shot and was very successful.

Did I just have my .410 choked down too much, or should I just stick with my 20 and work on shooting fundamentals?
 
Chokes

I have four .410s....a pump, a SXS, an O/U and the bottom barrel on an M6 survival gun. All but the M6 are FC. M6 is CYL.
 
Maybe I should start another thread, but I will first add to my original REAL WORLD question. Since the only hulls that I could buy are Fiochi and the only primers that I could find are Federal 209s, which are 001" smaller diameter , will it be a problem with primers backing out? I realize that I will have to reduce the powder charge with the federals, but gas leakage has me concerned. Is that small of a difference a real issue? Thanks, Grant.
 
Grant

If you pay for the shipping I'll send one of those small post office boxes full of 3" winchester hulls, pm me and we'll exchange addresses.
 
Maybe I should start another thread, but I will first add to my original REAL WORLD question. Since the only hulls that I could buy are Fiochi and the only primers that I could find are Federal 209s, which are 001" smaller diameter , will it be a problem with primers backing out? I realize that I will have to reduce the powder charge with the federals, but gas leakage has me concerned. Is that small of a difference a real issue? Thanks, Grant.
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Where were your Fiocchis made? They did operate a plant here for a while
 
Double K, PM sent. Thank You very much for the offer. I will torture myself reloading 410s and have fun doing it. Thanks, Grant.
 
I really dont know where the Fiochis were made. I had assumed Europe, but I didnt know they had a US plant. I will have to go see if there are any markings on the bag they came in. Would that make any difference in the primer size, and is .001 even enough to worry about? I dont recall where I saw it, but I remember an add for a primer pocket re-conditioner that I think said fixed loose primer pockets. Any body out there familiar with the tool , or am I confused about it? Grant.
 
I just answered my own question. I was looking at the Ballistic Products site and saw the "primer pocket re-conditioner". Just ordered it. Now I dont have to worry about the Federal primers backing out. What a simple solution. Grant.
 
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