.410 shot size for rabbits

[Forestryguy]

I'm going to pick up a .410 for rabbits that are destroying the garden. What is a good shot size for out to about 40 yds. What choke should should I use? I am not sure if it will be a new or older shotgun.

 

[Antares]

I shoot a lot of snowshoes with 2 3/4” 20 ga #6 Kent Fasteel. Forty yards is a long shot, especially with a .410. Why not a .22lr? I only use a shotgun because the rabbits are running in front of my dogs. If they were siting at 40 yards, I’d want my .22lr.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

Killed a lot of rabbits with #6 out of a 410 over the years. Most were running beagles when we were kids. Longest shot I ever made with the 410 was 37 paces.

 

[dtrkyman]

If you have seen a .410 pattern at 40 yds you wouldn't worry about shot size!

They pattern to maybe 30 at best with game type loads, I was shocked I ever killed a pheasant with mine after hitting the pattern board.

Look up some turkey patterning with TSS on the tube.

 

[E.Shell]

#4, 5 & 6 are most often used for rabbits, but many are killed by upland bird hunters using #7-1/2s.

As you move up to larger shot sizes, pattern density suffers but penetration improves. For hunting for food, larger shot is usually better because it will be more likely to penetrate completely and not end up cracking a tooth. For shooting garden pests, the shot size is of far less concern and you may find smaller shot sizes will work as well.

As mentioned above, 40 yards is a very long shot for a .410 with conventional ammo. #6 would come closest to giving you adequate pattern density.

"Full" choke is almost universally used for .410s, in an effort to maintain pattern density with the very light shot charges used, although sometimes "Modified" can provide better patterns, especially with larger shot. If you really do intend to shoot to 40 yards, I would suggest patterning your load(s) to ensure you've picked the best one for your use and to understand your gun's limitations.

 

[wesfromky]

It isn't cheap, but you can extend the range with TSS and a turkey choke for it.

Suppressed .22 would be my choice. Or even one of the higher end air rifles.

 

[KHands17]

.410 is tough at that range, but when I rabbit hunt I’m either using 4 or 6 shot. You can go the spendy route of tss, but Ive harvested a lot of rabbits with Winchester Super X’s, which are usually the cheapest shells you can find, but like all ammo it’s all so expensive right now.

 

[go_deep]

I have a .410 with a full choke, it's good to about 27 yards with a 3" round. I think 40 yards would be a good range for a scoped .22

 

[NRA4LIFE]

My Gamo 440 will take 'em out at 40. Done it many, many times. I snipe them from the top porch down into the garden. A 410, I'd go with 4-6 shot, full choke.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

#6 is my preferred. #4 is just too thin of a pattern. I use an XX Full on 410’s regardless. My sons have nuked a good many of squirrels and rabbits with 3” #6.

 

[hiker270]

A good pellet gun would be my choice for garden rabbits. Quiet and cheap ammo. You can purchase one almost anywhere with no background check and many of them are in the 1200 fps range which is close to many 22 long rifle rounds.

 

[Forestryguy]

Thanks for the info.

 

[204_ruger]

I have 2 410 ga shotguns. Both are the Mossberg turkey models
500 410 22 inch screw in chokes.
SA 410 24 inch screw in chokes.
I do a ton of squirrel hunting. A rabbit isn't hard to kill. I use a 410 mostly. I load 3 inch shells with 4' 5' and 6's.

 

[UpTop]

Another vote for 6 shot, 40 is doable but not recommended. TSS seems a bit silly for rabbits, maybe if I was targeting snowshoes or something. Definitely not for cottontail or jacks.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

If you have a know rabbit hangout like we have in the desert southwest, over a barley field, you gan have a seat and wait for them to get into shooting distance. I have shot them as close as five yards. I would say the average distance is thirty yards. I use a.22 for my rabbit hunting, but my friend shoots them with a .410. because of our situation he only take the ones 25 yards and under. #4 shot.

 

[Laelkhunter]

My vote is for #6. It seems rabbits are very fragile, and one or two pellets will kill them.

 

[Fmuguira]

Shot size is shot size no matter the gauge. Where it gets tricky is the shot qty of larger shot in smaller gauge. If say #5 or #6 shot works well on rabbits with a 20 or 12 gauge then it ll work well out of a 410 also PROVIDED you have enough weight and choke for the ranges you expect to shoot.

A cardboard box or two and some white butcher paper will tell you much about your pattern density at various ranges.

 

[204_ruger]

Growing up I had beagles . We hunted alot. I uesd a Mossberg bolt action 410 ga. Rabbits isn't hard to kill. Few times I killed my limit of rabbits. Besides trapping I squirrel mostly.