Hi everybody, hope you all remember me. I just finished my hunting safety course this past Saturday, and got my license and waterfowl stamp. I learned LOTS of information (like what a firestarter is) and am pretty excited about going. Still haven't purchased a rifle yet but now, actually, I'm glad I didn't. From everything I've been told, a shotgun is actually a better choice for hunting, cause you can hunt anything from squirrels to grizzlies, just by using different shells. AND I learned that since wild feral hogs are considered predatory varmints, I can kill as many as I want all year round. Apparently we have a real problem with hogs destroying things in the local wildlife management areas. Anyways, since I'm leaning towards shotguns now, I've got a .410 with a 18.5 inch barrel break action single shot. I know it's kinda small, but will .410 slugs take down a deer or a large hog? Or should I invest in a new one? There's a pump action 12guage mossberg at Academy Sports down the road for $136.99, is that too much to pay? Thanks and I'm probably gonna post some pics soon, if it's not a problem.

ISG

.410 is a little small for whitetails, and they are illegal to use for such in my state at least. A mossberg with two barrels- one smoothbore for waterfowl and one rifled barrel for slugs would probably be the best bet if you are on aq tight budget.

The .410 with some #71/2 shot would be good for squirrels- well actually good for you to shoot squirrels with and bad for the squirrels themselves
If you have the time, spend several mornings squirrel hunting, it will give you a feel for the woods, and what the woods normally sound like, and time spent squirrel hunting will help you out when deer season comes along- you need the same set of skills- walking quietly, sitting patiently, watching for movement, listening to sounds, and most of all sitting really still.

i agree....a mossberg 500 or remington 870 with a rifled barrel and smooth barrel will suit you perfect chambered in 20 or 12 ga...id go for the punch of the 12 myself....will drop a deer easy at 100yards with a good sabot through the rifled barrel...and can shoot a rabbit with shot up close with the smooth barrel....and take waterfowl with waterfowl loads......best thing out there for the one gun hunter......

I have 2 mosbergs and i dont like them much there just kinda cheap,if you have a little more money i would go with the 870.

At our ranch , i once saw a wounded hog and wanted to try and take it out . All i had was a .410 single shot . I put it right on his head at about ~30 yards or so with a #6 and it didnt kill it.