This post comes up often enough that I'm beginning to see the parable that is really the underlying question.
Hunting wild birds, in real conditions, or pen raised birds in synthetic conditions.
For me, the last few weeks of pheasant hunting, after the slews have frozen up enough to support a hunter and a dog, are the best part of the season. If the temp is quite a bit below freezing, so much the better. The birds have been shot at a few times, and it no more resembles the dipiction of pheasant hunting that one sees on television than Neil Armstrong's putt on the moon resembles golfing. In truly cold wheather, shotshell performance deteriorates. I wish there was a study I could cite, but, all I have is experience as teacher on that point. But, I understand a winged wild rooster, in a foot of fresh powder, at zero degrees, is a far, far different animal than a pen bird in milder conditions. For dog, and hunter. The ruffed grouse,(can they be pen raised?) later in the season, develop a habit of getting up well out of range also. Earlier, the cover tends to be quite heavy, and the fields more crowded. I pass on the earlier part of both bird seasons. I've used 20 on pheasants in the past but, in recent seasons, have stuck to the 16s and 12s, usually with an ounce, and an ounce and an eighth, respectively. Less legwork for me and the dog involved, over the course of the season.
So, to reiterate, you guys that can put the 410 to good use, can have them. I usually can't. I'm really sorry for those that haven't experienced a truly wild, cold conditions pheasant or grouse hunt. It is wonderful. But no place for a subgauge. Snowshoes, sometimes, if we are lucky.
Best,
Ted
