Chuck: I have to agree with Shotgun Jones on this one. The .410 bore will kill well within 25 yards in the hands of an expert. I have dove hunted with one effectively on doves coming to decoys and have even shot quail with one, but I think I was just showing off. I think even in the hands of an expert, they cripple game more so than a 12, 16 , 20 and 28 gauge. Just my opinion though. Michael MacIntosh made the statement that the .410 just has wierd ballistics and I think he was right. He felt they were not well suited for game guns, I believe.
