doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com .410 for quail

I have been shooting Gambel's Quail for about 10 years now with a 28 ga. Parker Repro. I'm thinking I'd like to try using a double .410. Does this sound ridiculous or can anyone make recommendations of a good "decent" double SxS .410 (new or old) that "average Joe" can purchase. Budget up to either side of five grand.
Thanks

You make the call Fred. I tried that a few years ago when younger and more filled with myself. I used the gun regularly on low gun skeet and usually shot 22-23. Stopped using it on KS and MO quail after losing too many birds I knew I had hit-and this with good dogs. Prior to making your decision, I'd suggest you do some pattern work comparing your 28 with a .410 at the yardage in which you usually take your shots at birds.

I hunt over Setters and only shoot pointed birds. I don't think I'm so full of myself, that's why I'm asking. I've not tried those inserts that allow you to shoot a .410 through a 28. Has anyone any experience with those?

Inserts are a great idea Fred, prior to investing in a gun. I obtained good patterns using skeet loads 20 to .410 but they are messy and guys have observed that the O-rings on the GaugeMate-Gold (the ones that stay in the chamber) tend to deteriorate quickly. A more expensive alternative would be the Chamber Mates or the Briley Side-Kicks. The Gauge-Mate Tubes and Little Skeeters are a pain, esp. for bird hunting.
BTW: I was making an observation about myself, not you, and as I said, you must make the call.

My first response is like revdocdrew's. .410s are used in the southeast with success on pointed bobwhites. However, bobwhites take a lot less killing than our tough desert quail in the west. I've hunted gambels for years, but not over dogs. The way I've hunted them I wouldn't consider using a .410. But your way of hunting is different from mine. At the budget you've set, there are lots of choices: AYA sidelocks, Arrieta, Grulla, the higher grades from Ugartechea, etc. If you've been comfortably successful with the 28, give the .410 a try. You're not committed to it for life is it doesn't go well. JL, in Toquerville

This year I decided to use a mod-choked Model 42 exclusively during the month of October for grouse and woodcock. I used Rem 3" 11/16 oz #7.5s. The bottom line is that I was not handicapped in any way. Last year I passed on one 30+ yd grouse opportunity.

I have patterned this loading at 25 yds and it is certainly adequate to this distance. I've also used this combination on preserve phez - out to 25 yds it kills as well as anything else. Properly directed, #7.5 pellets do not seem to care what size barrel sends them flying - or whether they were initially constituted as a "square load" - oddly enough. I think Federal sells the 3" load in #8 - this might be my choice if I were hunting woodcock (or quail) exclusively.

As to the availability of new, "good", reasonably priced .410 doubles........sure you don't want a Model 42? Used doubles in that price range turn up. IIRC, Julia's auctioned a coupla .410 doubles in the past year.......think one might have been a Francotte.

Sam

I wasn't offended. I knew when I posted whatI was opening myself up to. I've not shot a .410 since I was a boy. I was able to kill some Ruffed Grouse when I was a kid with a Winchester mod.20 single shot. I still own it. Maybe I should try a day out with that. I just looking for some more fun. Not into crippling alot of birds.

Samuel,
Good question on the 42, my granfather was a model 12 guy and left me a number of nice 12's,16's, and 20's. I continued to collect more and loved to shoot them. Then got into "bird dogs" and doubles. I have hunted them exclusively except for chukars, which I used a 20 ga. model 12 on until 2 years ago, when I fell and completely ruined a very nice gun.(to the point of having to have it filed and reblued). I hadn't considered the 42, don't own one now.
Jim,
I've been pleased with success with the quail. Lost only 2 birds last year. Collected many more. I've shot about 50 so far this season, one trip. I use 8 1/2 and 9's AA target loads. I know my range with an IC/MOD gun. I would like to explore the possibilities.

I'd vote for the 42 as well. You can acquire a VERY nice one for much less than your budgeted amount and you will find it fits the hand quite well for carry afield and most are wonderully 'shootable'.

For a double, I'd try looking for an Iver Johnson 'Skeeter' or a Nitro special, both American and both good servicable salt of the earth guns. Either may require a bit of looking, but they are out there and a good quality shooter should be well south of 3K even if its been restocked with decent wood &/or zooted a bit. Perhaps we can get Chuck to post a pic of his .410 as an illustration of what can be done with a Nitro.

FWIW, predicated on the chamber length, I have found the new WW AA 2.5" Sporting Clay target loads of #8.5 shot to pattern very well in both 2.5" % 3" chambers and the best 3" ammo that I have patterned is the Fiocchi 11/16oz. # 7.5's, the later having a wad that is unique to that load as far as I know and it actually contains the whole shot column. I wish it were available for reloading, but it is not.

Please let us know your end decision and result.

I've used a .410 on Calif Valley Quail out here in Calif. Our hunting is tough enough with just getting a shot a them out here. Terrain can be a real thrill or simply a struggle. Most of the time, I just don't get the .410 out of the truck because I don't need the extra challenge. A 20g or 28g is challenge enough on me for the birds in my neck of the woods. I love my .410 Nitro and my M42, just don't always feel like getting them out unless the birds are really thick.