My first gun was a single shot .410. My grandfather bought it for me when I mentioned interest in hunting. I never got a deer with that gun, but loved everything about so much that I bought a few (15) more guns since then.
The .410 is great, because chances are the first time they take a shot at a deer with it, they will miss. The gun itself is difficult to shoot, even for an experienced hunter, and with beginners nerves (the nerves that I sometimes even get to this day), they are more likely to do something wrong.
The simpleness of the gun (bead sight, smooth bore), accents all flaws in the shooter.
Like sam said, if and when they miss with the .410, they will either say one of two things:
Hunting is hard, I don't want to do it anymore.
Or
I almost had him, I can't wait to try again tomorrow.
Also, the .410 is great for a multipurpose hunting gun. I've taken lots of squirrel and partridge with mine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyrille  When I was comming up the thuty-thuty was a very popular deer rifle. I bought a Marlin 30-30 lever action back in the 70s for well under $100.00. Still use it or at least I did the last time I rifle hunted.
I don't know what they're going for today. But the 30-30 is a good starter deer gun IMO. |
Like Trigger said, they're going for well over $300 now. I paid $350 for my Marlin 30/30 a couple of years ago.
A Marlin .410 Single shot, NEF .410, or H&R .410 is still pretty cheap. A used one can be found for under $100, and a new one can be found for under $150.