any of the guys knocking the .410's a have any evidence to prove your claims? we have a bolt action family .410 that has been passed down for decades and it is a slayer. the gun has not let a deer walk since i have been alive. i killed my first with it at age 7, a second when i was 9, my brother his first with it when he was 9 or 10, and i got to watch my 11 year old cousin shoot one with it last season. all deer dropped within sight except my first, which made it about 100 yards.

bouncer, look for the 000 buckshot. the 000's fit the shell perfectly. they are hard to find butthey do the trick.the diameter of a 000 is larger than .30 ( i think .32?) and is a very capable load inside 40 yards.

obviously with a youngster, you want to target shoot the load on paper to confirm the pattern and make sure he/she is comfortable and accurate with the weapon!