Which .410?

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slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,979
930
Devon
I'm considering getting a .410 shotgun for close range pest control, mostly tree dwelling squirrels at the moment but the odd rabbit and probably more as time goes by.

I could get a 12 bore but as the shooting will be close range (<15m, probably closer to 10m) and I don't wish to damage the trees more than I have to a .410 would seem ideal.

Now comes to the tricky part, I could get a cheap 2nd hand single shot for £100 or so. However, the woodland is surrounded by livestock fields and one side in particular tends to have people and horses about. So, I'm considering a moderated .410. This leads me down the path to 'Stealth' or 'Hushpower', anyone know if they are the same or different designs?

Then there seems to be a choice of a three shot Mossberg or a single shot Baikal, the Baikal being about £300 and the Mossberg £550+. I'm leaning towards the Baikal for simplicity sake and the price. Anyone have any reason to choose one over the other?

Finally, perhaps something for another thread, has anyone ever hand loaded a .410 cartridge?
 

Countryman

Native
Jun 26, 2013
1,652
74
North Dorset
They make Russian tanks out of the bits they have left over from Baikals. You wont go far wrong with it. They don't fetch much second hand but then the aren't much new.

For close range work a .410 is a useful tool. For things on the run or wing a 12 Bore is a much easier proposition to hit with but for knocking down squirrels from a tree it will suit you fine.

You would need to balance the cost of setting up to reload .410 vs the number of cartridges you will shoot. I'm not sure that the economics will work out but reloading is in itself its own hobby.
 

swotty

Full Member
Apr 25, 2009
1,875
243
Somerset
I've just got a Falco (Italian) folding .410 second hand in good nick for £90 now looking for the 9" hushpower detachable moderator to go with it. Very impressed with the little gun though, in was looking for man bolt action to start off with but then the idea of a folder that more or less fits in a Barbour pocket won me over!
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
1,947
Mercia
We run two 410s at present slowworm. An unmoderated Belgian folder (his)

Belgian Folding .410 by British Red, on Flickr

and a moderated Mossberg 500

Mossberg 500 Stealth .410 by British Red, on Flickr

Both have their pros and cons.

BTW the Mossberg Stealth is a Hushpower with all black synthetic furniture. The basic Hushpower Mossberg is wood.

Right the Mossberg is stupidly quiet. Its a brilliant tool - about the same noise as a spring powered air gun. On the downside it (and the Baikal) are cumbersome an extra 8" hanging off the front of the barrel makes it hard to swing and heavy. It also completely obscures the front bead so any form of aiming is crude.

The single shot Belgian is silly cheap (you can get one for £50). Light, pointable, swingable and mustard on rabbits and pigeons inside 25 yards. Very slow for a backup shot and the crack will spook any other prey.

If I was to ask what is the ultimate, it would be the Mossberg, drilled and tapped for a weaver base and with a red dot on and with a spare barrel with a basic bead. I intend to do this to ours at some point. However the spare barrels are £150+ so, with a decent red dot, you are looking at a £750 set up - it would be a lifetimes worth of 410 though. I prefer the Mossy to most other pumps and the moderated barrel is a joy.

Feel free to come shoot ours anytime sw.

Reloading can be done cheaply with an RTO set (almost all 410 is RTO anyway)
 

Countryman

Native
Jun 26, 2013
1,652
74
North Dorset
If you can use an air rifle then do. A .410 really fills the gap between an FAC air rifle and small bore. FAC air rifle will cost a whole lot more than a .410




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,114
67
Florida
......If I was to ask what is the ultimate, it would be the Mossberg, drilled and tapped for a weaver base and with a red dot on and with a spare barrel with a basic bead. I intend to do this to ours at some point. However the spare barrels are £150+ so, with a decent red dot, you are looking at a £750 set up - it would be a lifetimes worth of 410 though. I prefer the Mossy to most other pumps and the moderated barrel is a joy.

Feel free to come shoot ours anytime sw.

Reloading can be done cheaply with an RTO set (almost all 410 is RTO anyway)


I like the way you think!
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,979
930
Devon
Thanks for the replies. A 12lb air rifle isn't really up to the job, (I've been using one) and a FAC air rifle may not be safe.

I'm tempted by the Mossberg and I did notice the spare barrel. I've also been looking for a simple cheap 2nd hand one but never managed to sort one out. Now I need to get rid of some tree rats ASAP so need to make a decision. I'm still leaning towards the Baikal because, looking at the Hushpower site, it's the quietest one. The price would also leave some spare cash for something different 2nd had.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
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Absolutely nothing wrong with Baikals. Don't sweat the decibels though. Within 15 yards they will hear it (I've used both). Neither will disturb the other local natives. The difference is marginal - it shouldn't be the deciding factor. Nor, in my opinion, should the price be. After a year, I forget what I paid for a gun, but I remember the shortcomings of the gun. If you want the pump, buy the pump, if you want the Baikal, buy the Baikal. Let the function dictate the purchase, not the price. A good gun will last your whole life. Buy the one you want.
 

slowworm

Full Member
May 8, 2008
1,979
930
Devon
I don't really want either of them, it is more a decision about buying a tool for a specific job this time. The main question is do I need the pump action and I'm not sure I do, on the other hand it may come in useful for something else in future.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
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I have never missed a kill for the lack of a second on board shot. For squirrels only, buy the Baikal.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
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I don't believe there is a moderated Remi Semi (but the name is cool :))

However Remis have cross bolt safeties whereas Mossies have tang safety - which is sooo much better.
 

santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,114
67
Florida
I have never missed a kill for the lack of a second on board shot. For squirrels only, buy the Baikal.

Have you never had a chance for a double though?

If you really want a double, get a double barrel (or a semi), I find racking is not conducive to a left and right.

You state you'd never needed a follow-up shot. When I asked if you'd never had a chance for a "double" I was referring to a second shot at another squirrel. Or another rabbit. Not a double gun. I have no problem with a pump either for the choice of guns; it allows a chance at getting a triple.
 

Bowlander

Full Member
Nov 28, 2011
1,353
1
Forest of Bowland
I don't believe there is a moderated Remi Semi (but the name is cool :))

However Remis have cross bolt safeties whereas Mossies have tang safety - which is sooo much better.

I think Hushpower will custom fit a moderator to any single barrel.

Agreed about the safety, tang is the way forward.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
1,947
Mercia
You state you'd never needed a follow-up shot. When I asked if you'd never had a chance for a "double" I was referring to a second shot at another squirrel. Or another rabbit. Not a double gun. I have no problem with a pump either for the choice of guns; it allows a chance at getting a triple.

I have never lost a rabbit on a 410 shoot

But then neither did this guy

Ed-Cook.jpg


I confess that I have never pumped our gun and got a second rabbit faster than I could have with a single shot. Here is evidence however that a bad workman blames his tools. 500+ rabbits with a 410 in one evening.

I defy anyone who says " its a not a real gun" to better that, with airgun, shotgun or rifle.
 

lucan

Nomad
Sep 6, 2010
379
1
East Yorks
At that sort of range an air rifle would be my choice, more fun and cheaper

I use this old Chinese .22 under lever, like you say at that sort of range its pretty efficient at dispatching vermin and no damage if any to trees

IMG-20140711-00080_zps02a5b99b.jpg


Apologies for the thread hijack:)
 

topknot

Maker
Jun 26, 2006
1,825
2
59
bristol
We run two 410s at present slowworm. An unmoderated Belgian folder (his)

Belgian Folding .410 by British Red, on Flickr

and a moderated Mossberg 500

Mossberg 500 Stealth .410 by British Red, on Flickr

Both have their pros and cons.

BTW the Mossberg Stealth is a Hushpower with all black synthetic furniture. The basic Hushpower Mossberg is wood.

Right the Mossberg is stupidly quiet. Its a brilliant tool - about the same noise as a spring powered air gun. On the downside it (and the Baikal) are cumbersome an extra 8" hanging off the front of the barrel makes it hard to swing and heavy. It also completely obscures the front bead so any form of aiming is crude.

The single shot Belgian is silly cheap (you can get one for £50). Light, pointable, swingable and mustard on rabbits and pigeons inside 25 yards. Very slow for a backup shot and the crack will spook any other prey.

If I was to ask what is the ultimate, it would be the Mossberg, drilled and tapped for a weaver base and with a red dot on and with a spare barrel with a basic bead. I intend to do this to ours at some point. However the spare barrels are £150+ so, with a decent red dot, you are looking at a £750 set up - it would be a lifetimes worth of 410 though. I prefer the Mossy to most other pumps and the moderated barrel is a joy.

Feel free to come shoot ours anytime sw.

Reloading can be done cheaply with an RTO set (almost all 410 is RTO anyway)


Wow Red, i've got a 410 like your top one but mines has full stock and made in England

Andy
 

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