A Question For The Hunters!

[bigjim5589]

My one son is very interested in getting into doing some hunting. He's 40, and we have done some in the past, but had gotten away from it over the years with other priorities.

We plan to start out targeting some squirrels and other small game, and I had given him my first gun, a .410 shotgun.

Any of you folks here been doing any small game hunting and have some reliable supply businesses you might recommend for ammo. It appears that .410 shells are now not easy to get in loads that might be well suited for squirrels, so I'm looking around. Prices too have gotten crazy.

I'll be using my old .22 Marlin single shot, and have shells for it.

Any help would be appreciated.   

[Donald Garner]

Jim, good luck with the upcoming hunting trips with your son.  Here's the link for Academy Sports.  They seem to have have a variety of 410 ammo.

  410 shotgun ammo

[D.W. Verts]

That's some great news Jim. Here's to ya'll making some memories.

Dale

[J.W.]

Academy is where I usually buy shotgun shells. I haven't bought any .410 in a few years since my son got a 12 ga for Christmas a little while back, but last time I looked, they had both bird shot and some squirrel/rabbit loads. And yeah, ammo is high as a cat's back. I reload for all metallic cartridges except rimfire, but haven't gotten into shot shell reloading yet. I just kind of grin and bear it when I pull out the debit card at the counter.

[bigjim5589]

Thanks all for the replies!

Donald, I shop at Academy, but seems the .410 shells they have here are all smaller shot, like for Doves. I may have to see if I can get them ordered with size 4 shot. In looking around I see most are size 7 or smaller shot when I find them advertised.

JW, same here, the .410 has not been used in many years, so I haven't bought any shells in many years. I haven't used my 12 ga either in many years, but have found shells for it in small game loads. Even so, most I'm seeing is home defense buck shot loads or bird shot. With the shotgun I always preferred to use size 4 or 5 shot for small game, I got clean kills & it didn't put so many holes in them.

I'm happy that my son has this interest, and hopeful we get to hunt together often ( and fish too!). I used to hunt with my father, and we had developed a tradition of hunting squirrels every Thanksgiving day morning until his health prevented it. He passed back in 2004, so it's been a long time.

I used to hunt a lot, but limited time with other responsibilities got me away from it.

I appreciate the comments! 

[J.W.]

No problem. If you can't find anything locally, you may have to order some. If so, order as much as you think you'll use for a while so you only have to pay the shipping once. If I place online orders, it's usually from Natchez Shooting Supply. At least there's no hazmat fee for loaded ammo like there is on powder and primers.

[Princeton_Man]

I've always used #6 shot for rabbits, but for squirrels I prefer .22 short or one of the subsonic long rifle rounds. I buy from Natchez, Academy, Midway, BassPro, Rural King, and others. You can also buy direct from the manufacturers when they have it. I do recommend sticking with the good stuff over the foreign brands. I myself prefer Federal for shotshells.

[Captsteve]

Ifyou order online. Here is another option with good prices.  Luckygunner.com

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[bigjim5589]

Thanks again for the replies! 

P_M, Thank you sir! I'm aware of most of those you mentioned, and I plan to use the .22. I have bought from Midway & RK before. I've used the subsonic rounds too in the past, and .22lr or even shorts are not too hard to find around here.

Steve, I'll check that out, thank you sir! 

[Captsteve]

Thanks again for the replies! 

P_M, Thank you sir! I'm aware of most of those you mentioned, and I plan to use the .22. I have bought from Midway & RK before. I've used the subsonic rounds too in the past, and .22lr or even shorts are not too hard to find around here.

Steve, I'll check that out, thank you sir! 

Your welcome

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