Not everybody wants to shoot a .410 I know but I think if they used a 28 instead, they would see a lot of potential for a "small-bore". The half ounce shot payload is limited but the more generous 3/4, 13/16, 7/8 or heavy 1 ounce loads in the 28 are much more forgiving. I killed many a duck in my youth with a ounce of lead shot in my 28 model 12. I have a small box of 28 tungsten shells someone gave me to use on ducks this next season. I've heard amazing stories about how effective it is and am looking forwards to seeing it myself. While Swan hunting in North Carolina a few weeks ago the guide told me he had a group of hunters who used 28's and .410's with Tungsten and it was crazy how far it worked. I am not up to shooting a swan with a .410 yet but if they come in as fat and happy next time I might just try my luck with one of my 42's. Swans are impressive birds but show little fear of being hunted. Still a mounted flying swan ought to look good in the gun room. Just do not know what I'd do with another one.
I got my middle son into shooting a 28 gauge for Dove a few years ago and he loves it. He has learned a lot about chokes and range estimation in just a few years. Now his wife is asking for one of the 28 gauge Red Labels for this upcoming season. I do not have a proper 28 side by side to give her but I do have several Red Labels, a Ithaca 37, couple 1100's and my Model 12 28 from my childhood. Early season Dove come in fat, slow and happy so a .410 or 28 are a great option. So if a .410 seems intimidating to you, try a 28 instead, It is about the experience more than anything else. A 28 is fully capable of taking birds, with a decent margin of error, along with a real sense of challenging yourself to be a better shot.
