Inexpensive 410 O/U Shotgun

[Marine24]

In the market for an inexpensive .410 O/U shotgun to provide a little challenge on the skeet range or upland hunting. Actually getting it for my wife, but I know who will be using it most.

I know I should be looking at Browning or Berettas, but already have a Weatherby Athena and don't need to drop another $2K plus just so I can look good missing.

Anyone have or seen ATIs Calvary SX shotguns? Curious on getting my hands on one. Comments/reviews are pretty scarce but generally they are positive given the price point.

These can be had around the $400 mark.

[crays]

You can buy Stoeger o/u or sxs almost anytime at SW in 359-399 range. Until the day you go to buy it, then they will be out of stock. Or maybe that's just MY luck.

Any specific reason for .410 over 28ga?

Sent via Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[Marine24]

You can buy Stoeger o/u or sxs almost anytime at SW in 359-399 range. Until the day you go to buy it, then they will be out of stock. Or maybe that's just MY luck.

Any specific reason for .410 over 28ga?

Sent via Mobile Work Avoidance Device

I've actually handled a Stoeger before, but balance was not right and didn't mount as well. Typically like a scaled down shotgun when shooting the smaller bore but the Stoeger felt like their 12 gauge version with a 410 bore. Probably not fair to Stoeger given the price point. Can't expect a Silver Pigeon for less the $400.

No particular preference one way or another. Looking for reduced recoil, but pretty much a wash between 410 and 28 gauge to me and ammo prices for the two are about the same. If I can across a nice 28 gauge at a similar price point, wouldn't blink twice. Seems to be a caliber that that many manufacturers skip.

[Hoser]

I own a couple 28s and a 410. The 28 gauge is the best gauge for birds and rabbits that I own.

410 is fun for skeet and kids, but thats about it.

When I was shooting a lot of skeet I had a better average with my 28 than I did a 12 gauge.

[Marine24]

Never done much with 28 gauge, but 410 has always been a humbling experience doing a walk at the skeet range. You end up missing the trash can diameter pattern a 12 gauge give you.

See that ATI has a combo 410/28 gauge setup but need to get my hands on some first.

Tristar is another interesting option. Picked up a semo-auto Tristar a few years back. Pretty decent auto loader and reminded me of the Beretta A390.

[crays]

Looked up the ATI Cav. Does look a bit nicer than the Stoeger.
I only stick with .410 because I already had a couple, and lots of shells.

That, and they're fun.

Sent via Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[Hoser]

You end up missing the trash can diameter pattern a 12 gauge give you.

Pattern diameter is the same. You just dont have the amount of pellets and fudge factor that the other gauges give you.

[ray1970]

In the market for an inexpensive .410 O/U shotgun




I've actually handled a Stoeger before, but balance was not right and didn't mount as well.

I think you'll find most of the inexpensive 410 shotguns will feel a bit awkward or clumsy. If you find one that isn't then let me know which one it is. I'm a bit of a 410 fan myself.

[Colorado Osprey]

When introducing my kids to shooting, I used chamber reducers like Brownings Little Skeeter Tubes.
It allows you to shoot smaller gauge shells in a larger bore shotgun. The work great and don't really effect the patten much in the smaller gauge guns.

After starting with the 410, stepping up to 28 and ending at a factory 20ga; using reduced recoil 3/4oz loads they actually had less recoil than factory AA 28 gauge loads.
I duplicated the loads easily with my MEC but can't find and Hodgdon International Clays to make more.

[Marine24]

Pattern diameter is the same. You just dont have the amount of pellets and fudge factor that the other gauges give you.

Okay, now I really feel humbled.

[Marine24]

When introducing my kids to shooting, I used chamber reducers like Brownings Little Skeeter Tubes.
It allows you to shoot smaller gauge shells in a larger bore shotgun. The work great and don't really effect the patten much in the smaller gauge guns.

After starting with the 410, stepping up to 28 and ending at a factory 20ga; using reduced recoil 3/4oz loads they actually had less recoil than factory AA 28 gauge loads.
I duplicated the loads easily with my MEC but can't find and Hodgdon International Clays to make more.

I've used Briley tubes in the past when I was shooting skeet seriously and a legitimate Plan B if the inexpensive versions don't pan out. I can get one of their single gauge universal tube sets for a little more than what a ATI or Tristar shotgun will run. Makes sense to add them to my existing shotgun that mounts correctly for me. Just depends on whether my wife really is interested or not.

[Hoser]

Okay, now I really feel humbled.

No doubt. Perfect scores with a 28 were common. With the 410 I would always drop a couple targets. It made me better, but man it was frustrating.

[Marine24]

That is kind of where my head is at. Upland hunting with a 12 or 20 ga isn't particularly challenging once we get in to some birds. Stepping it up to a 28 or 410, should have me cussing more and hopefully help me in the process.

[Marine24]

I think you'll find most of the inexpensive 410 shotguns will feel a bit awkward or clumsy. If you find one that isn't then let me know which one it is. I'm a bit of a 410 fan myself.

Lot of truth there. Stopped in at Cabelas in Lone Tree to see what they had. Stoeger in .410 just looked and felt wrong, but then made the mistake of handling a 28 ga Silver Pigeon. Not sure how I'm going to get that one out of my head.

[Marine24]

Anyone have any impressions on the CZ Redhead in 28 or 410?

Understand these are scaled down version compared to their 12 or 20 gauge models. More I did in the ATI or Tristar, they are similar in design to the Stoeger

[Marine24]

How about Citori White Lightning vs Beretta Silver Pigeon? Whichever one fits best is probably the most logical answer.

[ray1970]

How about Citori White Lightning vs Beretta Silver Pigeon? Whichever one fits best is probably the most logical answer.

Yep. Can't go wrong with either. The Citori just doesn't fit me right for some reason. The Berettas do. You might be totally opposite.

[Marine24]

I'll have to check out the Citori. Typically if one works for you, the other won't. When I shouldered the Silver Pigeon, it tucked in right like it was supposed to and pointed very naturally.

Not sure how I went from a $400 shotgun to a $1900 one, but hard to go back.

[Marine24]

Ended up going the 28 gauge route and picked up this Beretta 686 Special. Used but not much more money than the CZ I was looking at.

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/cebadb0f-6750-4404-9b3b-73f3950fb97f_zps0c2eb7ed.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/cebadb0f-6750-4404-9b3b-73f3950fb97f_zps0c2eb7ed.jpg.html)

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt67/Marine24_1911/ecfc23c2-7d72-4c38-97d4-58688c115429_zps0b2bca33.jpg (http://s598.photobucket.com/user/Marine24_1911/media/ecfc23c2-7d72-4c38-97d4-58688c115429_zps0b2bca33.jpg.html)

[ray1970]

Excellent choice. Much better than a $400 410. Congrats.

[Marine24]

Thanks Ray. Rock Island Auctions is a very dangerous place. It's like Walmart. Go in for one thing and come out with a cart full of stuff.