Thread: Lead in .410 vs steel in 20

the wee 410 is a great weapon IF USED WITHIN its capabilities...... and you are prepared to pattern loads ....every single .410 I have used (and that has been a few) are fussy huas and love what they love and hate what they dont.... 3/4 oz of #4s kill well it is in effect half a magnum .12ga load.....BUT 25 yards is a realistic safe limit. we have killed every gamebird from quail to canada geese using the wee gun....
I WONT own a .20ga as use .12ga and a mix up of shells can be fatal.
have mate who uses .20ga on rabbits with great results...but he went back to .12ga as ammunition prices and availability are better.
if you are going to use either 20ga or 12ga for learner you NEED to find lightest loads you can find.
a .410 with full choke is a beautiful thing for finishing off birds on water that are wounded....so much so I would rate it above .12ga with steel...and it sure makes less mess under 20 yards.
reloading .410 is where it really shines,as is dirt cheap to feed and dead simple to load.
or just feed it 3/4oz or 11/16th oz loads in shot size it patterns well with. a boy wont go through a heap of ammunition using a single shot...so price is not going to be that much of an issue. if you find they ARE using lots...they pay for it out of pocket money....its amazing how that curbs barrel stretching LOL.