What choke for upland game

[Guide]

I’m looking at getting a .410 for upland game. It comes with a full choke. I want to get a Turkey choke and something in between. I was thinking a modified, but talking to one of the choke companies they thought improved cylinder might work better. Also anyone have a prefer for flush mount or extended. I spoke with people from Briley who makes some on Henry’s chokes.

Thank for input

Guide

[DsGrouse]

What game?
What distance,
What shot?

I changed my chokes based on what I was hunting, the distance I had available for a shot, and what weight of shot I used.

For instance, If I were a 10-year-old conifer hunting RG and MQ (mountain quail), I would go with 7.5 and Skeet 1 and 2. I didn't have the sight distance for further.

For older riparian areas or trees, 25 to 40 years, I went ic/mod with 7.5 for RG.

Open newly planted conifers for MQ, or scaled I went with IC and Mod using 7.5

Open area pheasant, I used Mod and full with 6's.

Scrub swamp Pheasant: I used IC with 6's

Chukar, I used mod and full with 6's

Huns, in the sage and scrub rocks, I used Skeet 1 and 2 with 7.5's

I primarily worked over flushing springer spaniels. If you're setting up over pointers, you might have different opinions.

[Guide]

Thanks for the input. Here in Maine there’s usually brush in the equation. Grouse the edges of old logging roads. Small brushy areas before major tree lines. Rabbits again usually in thicker brush. Most shots for grouse I would say from my hunting in the past were 25-35 yards at most, many around 25 yards. Squirrels are usually in the trees less than 25 yards. I to was thinking 7-1/2 shot size or possibly 6. I’ve also been thinking Improved Cylinder or Modified. Thinking 2-1/2” shells either Winchester, Federal or Remington 410.In the past I used Remington mostly but .410 ammo is getting harder to get for sure. Thanks for the help. I did find some Winchester XX for 20 a box the other were about 24-25. I will be walking these ares as I don’t have a dog.

[DsGrouse]

With 410, it is going to be mostly about how good you are with that gun. I've you've done a fair bit of clays, open it up a bit with IC. that might give you a better chance in some light brush up close.

If you think you are going to be in thicker stuff, stick with modified.

As for my choice in pellets, 7.5 is plenty for grouse, rabbits and squirrels. While 6's might give you more punch through brush, i don't think the trade off of less pellets in 410 is worth it.

[PBSnooker]

410's don't pattern worth a damn. Ok,it's out of my system. I have a few Henry 410's. Yes it comes with a full choke, which would probably be ok for 25 to 30 yards. I did purchase a skeet,mod and turkey chokes. I use the skeet or mod on closer clay targets,not much difference in patterns between the two. With tss shot and a turkey choke it is good to maybe 30-35 yards. There are some boutique tss shot that patterns well out to 50 yards. Try the full and maybe pick up a mod for closer shots.

[BigAl52]

Get a 20 ga

[Guide]

I’ve got a 20 gauge Remington 870 don’t like it. I’d never owned a pump and will never own another. That kicks as much as the Marlin 30-30 I had. I bought the shotgun for upland game and to have with slugs for deer. I had a 20 gauge Mossberg bolt action shot a five point buck just behind the should knocked him off all four feet, got up staggered like he was drunk took two steps and dropped. I don’t like recoil, I had extensive shoulder surgery for three terms and a completely torn bicep tendon. Drs orders were not to start machinery with cord starting, limit shooting to light recoils and limit anything that requires significant stress to the shoulder. Well it’s better but if I shoot a couple of shots with the 20 I’m done for the day! Most of my shooting is at the range with .22 a Ruger American with leupold 3x9 or my CZ 425 Lux with open sights. I’m going to buy a Henry .243 for whites if I choose to hunt the or for coyotes at night. Thought I’d give little more information so everyone better understand what I’m shooting for,” no pun intended” thanks

Guide

[BigAl52]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. I shoot skeet alot in the winter in Texas. Shooting a 410 at game or clays requires a lot of practice. I shoot with a guy who has shot 1000s of rounds of skeet. Hes good with a 410. But when he bird hunts hes using a 20 ga for Doves. Not saying it can’t be done but skill level plays a part.

[DsGrouse]

It takes practice, but I bet you'll do just fine.