agreed on the point about availability and price but I think .410 is great for new shooters, curious why you think it's not?Hard to find and pricey, in addition to being a very poor choice to start new shooters with. Go with a youth sized 20 and suitable loads.
If you’re looking for a Model 42 expect to pay around a thousand dollars for a common garden variety field gun with a plain barrel (no rib), straight grain wood, and some “character“ marks on the stock and minimum of light freckling on the metal.Whats the going rate for 410 shells? I recently sold my Taurus Judge and no longer have anything that shoots 410. I'm on the fence with selling my ammo or trying to buy a model 42 Winchester. I've always wanted a model 42. Thought I'd look around at the Columbus show this weekend. I know they're pricey.
He didn't say "competition," he said "clays." At competition distances of 20+ yards, the .410 pattern does definitely peter out. But for starting kids out on something like an Outers foot-trap with light spring tension, .410 can work well for beginners. It depends on the age of the kid. 20 ga. is too much for some, even with light loads.Look at any clay composition, the .410 is the experts gun...
2 1/2" will do3" or 2&1/2"