I just received a H. W. Cooey #84 single shot .410
I'm not sure I'v ever shot a .410.
Who shoots or has one and what do you do with it?
Thanks

They are an experts gun. They are decent for rabbits, doves and quail for some people, but again, you have to be pretty skilled to be effective in the hunting fields.
Often they are choked real tight. I have had reasonable luck with a MOD choke, and 3" 8 or 8.5 shot on doves.
I am not an expert with a shotgun, but I do take out a 410 occasionally for fun.
Shells are very expensive.

I cut my teeth on a 410 single barrel shotgun.

And I have several now.

As mentioned above, they are very good if you know how to use them.

Had a bet with a "colempere" - not sure about the spilling. It is the guy who throws pigeons.

I had a box of 25, and I killed all 12 pigeons he threw, despite the fact he was throwing them into the sun!

He would not bet with me again!

quote:

I cut my teeth on a 410 single barrel shotgun.

Same with me! And I also am a fan of the .410. But like stated earlier, for birds or clays.......they are a bit tough!


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In a word...squirrels!
3" #6 shot and a full choke.

I keep a .410 handy at home and grab it for "targets of opportunity". I've shot a bobcat (in season and w/license), coyotes, the starlings that always try to nest in the eaves, and crows. It's also been used on clays for fun. I wouldn't hesitate to use a .410 on rabbits, doves, or chukar but I generally have a 12ga in hand when in pursuit of those. I bet a lot of pheasants have been shot with the .410.

I shoot both 2-1/2" and 3" and I have to admit I can't see any difference between the two on what I'm shooting at. Some of the loads, Winchester's 3/4oz 3" load for example, are extra pleasant to shoot because they are subsonic in my gun. You still need hearing protection but you can really hear the difference.

I toted a 410 around as a kid. But it was pump. I remember once using quite a few shells to get one squirrel high in the tree. When he finally fell and I picked him up lots of shot fell from him that never penetrated.

I agree that they are an experts gun for real use.

Or they can just be a casual blackbird shooter.

I got a couple of Winchester 37s in 410 for kids to learn on and not get kicked too bad. Plus they are safe. They also teach you the mechanics of what is going on there. My son never used it though. He was bigger physically so we went on the pump 20 with just one shell and then 2 and then 3.

But my daughter used the 37 in 410 to learn on and just to have fun.

A Cooey? Made in Canada before Winchester took them over in 1961? They have a good reputation as a well made single shot. Does yours have the 3-inch chamber?

Nice!! Wish I could get my hands on one...my dad has the same shotgun in 16 & 12 g...that'd complete the collection nicely!

I too, cut my teeth using a .410 single shot shotgun. Killed many ducks, pheasants, quail, doves, and rabbits with that little gun. My dad then had my younger brother take over with it while I "graduated" to a brand new Browning Light 12 Auto-5. I still have that .410 today and my of boys all shot it before going on to their Browning 12s and 20s.

Does yours have the 3-inch chamber?

How can you tell?
I see only full choke on the barrel

Thanks

Mine has a 3" chamber, I believe most do with the exception of some specialty skeet guns.
It should be printed on the barrel.

410 is good for squirrels, bunnies and blue grouse. I use a 12 for everything else.