Monty,
I found the .410 to be surprisingly effective on pen-raised pheasants at a state run Illinois put/take hunting preserve. These weren't planted birds but rather birds that had been simply released on the 1,600 acre site. By the end of the seasons first month the hunting was very similar to opening day hunting for wild birds. I found that an open choke in the right barrel and a modified choke in the left barrel was just about a perfect combination for the little gun and with 7.5 shot was effective out to 30 yards. I also used 3" shells, though when I first started shooting .410's I had good success with 2.5" shells too.
