.410 bolt action shotguns, what would you get and why?

[Oninotaki]

On paper, it seems like a rather silly gun. Its much heavier than other .410 singles, especially the break-open types. Its cylinder bored, so spread with birdshot is pretty extreme and it would make a terrible fowling or clays gun (but then .410 doesn't shine at these missions anyway).
On the plus side, they are extremely overbuilt for the cartridge (being conversions from .303), handle well, have little recoil and excellent sights. I have no problem hitting man-sized targets at 50yds with slugs and even buckshot groups are all pretty much center mass at 25.

My youngest has pretty much laid claim to mine at this point-
View attachment 1196806

And, of course, they accept a bayonet-
View attachment 1196807
How cool is that?

Thanks for the extra information. This kind of info is why I asked the question at the start of this thread. Looks like the kiddo is having a great time with yours.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I should have bought an Enfield 410 when they were cheap. One thing to watch for when looking at them is the chamber length. The original Onnes were reamed for a straight 303 case and is too short for standard 3" 40 shells. A lot were reamed out for 3" shells though.

Yup, these used to be dirt cheap in the Shotgun News back when surplus .303 was plentiful and Enfield rifles were a dime a dozen- nobody wanted the smoothbore muskets. Now that .303 ammo has all but disappeared, the .410s are getting their due.

The muskets were meant for issue to Indian police and prison guards where the bayonet could be used for herding prisoners with the cartridges held in reserve for emergencies. The original rounds were brass-cased solid slug or shotshells roughly equivalent to our commercial 2.5" ammunition, though most, including mine, were reamed for 3" shells when they were imported.

An added "bonus" was that the guns would be of little use to insurgent groups if they happened to walk out the door of police stations in some of the more rebellious/ lawless regions.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Not sure they are rated for steel. Might want to check.

Really?!
Who shoots steel in a .410?!
I’ve go too many other shotguns and gauges to even consider using tungsten in a .410. ..410s aren’t even legal for turkey in my state.

 

[Buckeye63]

Might take a little searching, but I can highly recommend an Enfield .410 Musket-
View attachment 1196774
(Middle Gun)

I remember buying the .410 Enfields for $100 a pop back in the early 90’s .. I gave my brother a couple of them bout 12 years ago

 

[HB]

I can understand why you’d want one to collect, but I do find them a bit sketchy as another poster commented.

The one we had was an Eagle Arms brand I believe, made in spain.

It was pretty crude. But what always concerned me is the bolt handle itself seems to be the only locking lug. The handle looks like cheap cast metal and is attached to the rest of the bolt with a pin.

If the bolt handle breaks upon firing, the bolt will end up in your eye.

 

[Condor]

I learned how to shoot with a Mossberg 183 .410 bolt action. I was feeling nostalgic and looked for one on Gunbroker last year and couldn’t find one at a price I was willing to pay, but I did get a Stevens 58b for $178. I am happy with it. I use it for the odd round of hand thrown clay targets with my sons.

(when I am cashed up again, so to speak, I’ll probably look for the Mossberg again…)

 

[12Bravo20]

I learned how to shoot with a Mossberg 183 .410 bolt action. I was feeling nostalgic and looked for one on Gunbroker last year and couldn’t find one at a price I was willing to pay, but I did get a Stevens 58b for $178. I am happy with it. I use it for the odd round of hand thrown clay targets with my sons.

(when I am cashed up again, so to speak, I’ll probably look for the Mossberg again…)

I like my Mossberg 183KA with C-Lect choke.