Mr. Hartman,
Well, I wasn't going for somewhat sarcastic-in fact, I was being downright smartassed. But, you have 'sorta made my point, 'twixt synthetic hunting and the other variety, and the guns used, which, is where the biggest defenders of the little guns make the case for the use of same.
Lets be honest-ALL pheasant hunting is a bit synthetic here in the new world, right? So, I won't weigh further on the right and wrong way to go about it. Some folks, like, say, me, or Larry Brown, have access to pheasant hunting where the birds are truly "living off the fat of the land". Those birds never look like the birds in your photo. I called you on that. I was right, too. Further, use of a 410, and, usually, a 28, on birds that have to earn their living everyday, is not use of the best sporting judgement. I would like to think a shooter like Lord Rippon (who, I am not) probably could do that with a 410-and would choose not to. Simply out of respect for the animal. I, aspire to that line of thinking. I'm trying to get better at it, and, my shooting.
I've shot a few game farm birds in my day-I say shot, because it isn't really hunting, as I define it, anyway. Again, that is just my opinion. It is controlled, and the birds are short on aquired field wisdom. I noticed you said you guide on the game farm. I've done some guiding for wild birds in my past, and I didn't realize people would hire a guide at a game farm-I learn something new everyday, it seems. I suppose a 410 might be used here, since, from what I've seen, game farm birds don't cling all that tenaciously to life. But, like I said, I've been trying to do right by the game animal with as quick and humane a kill as I can, and it would cost more, and be less efficient FOR ME, at this point in the ball game, to consider a 410. Something about getting almost 2 rounds of 20 or 12 gauge ammunition, for the price of 1 round of 410 just chaps my hindquarters, too. Don't even get me started on the price of the guns. My Dad says that's the Barvarian cheapskate ancester in us, which others may/may not be afflicted with. Who knows? I've a hunch about Miller, anyway.
Anyway, back to my point, it seems that plenty of guys endorse the 410. But, when you call them on it, and press them for a few details, the endorsement usually comes with the game farm stipulation, or the dog fart stipulation, which, is you can't shoot the bird at a range farther than one can detect his dog's farts. Which, isn't really an endorsement of a hunting gun at all, if you ponder it. And, I thought the photos you posted, and the later explaination 'kinda made that point better than had been done so far in this thread. And, I was a bit of a smartass about it. Sorry. Truly.
Use the 410 in good health. Did I mention it's really cute? The dogs, too.
Best,
Ted
