.410 for son???

[jnwb]

As I read the MN laws it looks as though my 10 year old son can hunt deer with me this year, am I correct? That being said he has cerebral palsy that effects his left arm. Does anyone have a suggestion on a .410 slug gun for him? I am not finding many options. Any help would be great Thank You.

[triggertrav]

mossberg 500 makes a nice 410 pump. My son shot that for 2 years - age 11 and 12.

[TooTallTom]

How much can he use his left arm? Could he operate/ shoot a bolt-action or lever action long gun? Both of these exist, but may be a bit harder to find. I think Marlin currently makes a lever-action in .410, and also a bolt-action at one point...

When he gets older, handgun hunting might be an option to consider as well.

[jnwb]

Thank you guys I found some rossi single shots any good bad or ugly on them? I am thinking a bi-pod or tri-pod to help support the front. TooTall he really can not grasp anything with his left hand so those may be an option with a bi-pod. I will check them out. This is going to be fun!!!!

[TooTallTom]

I know of one Rossi (it's actually a combo, .22lr and 20ga swappable barrels) in my family. It shoots fine, but the rear sight come loose. Litte bit of Locktite would help, I guess.

If you think he could handle it, and you're open to a dedicated slug gun, Savage makes a fully-rifled 20ga bolt action. Another thought I had is that you might check out an over/ under or double-barrel in .410 if that's what you're looking for.

Regarding bi- or tripods, etc.: Would your son be able to wrap his left arm in a rifle sling to aim a long gun? Done properly, it doesn't really require any "grip" with the front hand. I just have no idea whether he'd be able to get himself set up. Might be worth practicing or just giving a shot to see.

And I agree, it's a fun thing to plan taking a kid into the woods. Thanks for letting us help.

[Moose]

I use .410 for deer and would recommend the New Haven bolt action. They seem to be the most consistent of the lot and do a good job as far as accuracy. That said I also have a Mossberg 500 but had to take it to a smith to have the choke turned to improved as I could only get it in full choke. Whatever you get make sure it's a modified or improved cylinder choke or the slugs really compress and the accuracy goes away. I have shot several deer with my .410 and will stick with it until I make the upgrade to a rifled slug then it will be the Savage dedicated bolt action slug gun.

[tracker x-2]

As others have stated shooting sticks would be a good option to try.

On a side not i would not recommend a 410 for deer. Especially if he is not a real experienced shooter, with that small of a caliber on such a large animal there is to much room for error. I would take a look at some single shot 20 gauges!

[Dave]

When my sons were younger, I bought each a 20-gauge pump with bird and rifled barrels. Smartest thing I did since the shells are reasonably priced, multi-season guns. They still use them. 410 shells are expensive, if I remember correctly.

[jnwb]

Thanks guys, ended up with a cva scout 20 gauge and a red dot. Thing shoots great. There a little kick for him but he loves shooting it. Also got him a primos tripod it is great.

[TooTallTom]

Excellent! If you haven't already, try a lot of different brands of slugs to find out what works best (Maybe you've got it alread, maybe not...) in your particular gun. If the recoil seems to be an issue for him, there are always pads to fit on the stock. Just make sure the gun will still fit him with a pad on.

You can also buy a pair of 20 ga snap caps so he can work with this setup at home. (Safely and supervised, obviously.) Practice, practice, practice!

I hope you guys have a great season!

[FLnick87]

Fnwb, Email me when you get a chance.. I have went through very similar challenges as your son having an impaired left arm due to palsey. I would love to help out with any tips or tricks i have came up with while over coming the challenge of being active in the outdoors

[email protected]

[nofishfisherman]

Sounds like he likes to shoot the 20 guage as is but if the recoil starts to bother him there are a few reduced recoil rounds you could check out. I know Remington makes a 20 guage slug in a reduced recoil round. They can be very good for new shooters as they take away 40-50% of the recoil. Helps prevent bad habits and can prolong a day at the range allowing more practice time.