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.410 inserts for K-80?
<< Back to K-80 and K-20 Usage archives Ed Solomons
PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:56 pm
I would be interested to know if anyone has experience of using .410 inserts in their k-80 for sporting/FITASC? This is an area that I want to try during the winter months to see just what they are capable of. Any information on different makes, price, performance, or choking options would be much appreciated, as this area is totally new to me.
Many thanks, Ed.
Alan
PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:51 pm
Hi Ed, From my experience there are a couple of things to bear in mind. The first is that extraction/ejection from tube inserts is poor at best when using European made cartridges. You can use the very expensive USA made loads and they will eject without problem but this makes it very expensive indeed.
Results at FITASC ranges with the .410 will be inconsistent. Some targets that you perfectly centre will still be missed. If you plan to use the .410 as practice in the belief that it will make you a better shot with the 12b then you are mistaken and you will probably do permanent damage to your confidence.
The .410 is a great load for close range work and for competitions set for that gauge when everyone is using the same load. To use it at a shoot when everyone else is using 12b will result in a lot of totally unexplained misses and this makes you change your sight picture to try and compensate. It is a big mistake in my opinion.
Full length tubes are very heavy and whilst it may not bother you it will destroy the familiarity with the handling when you revert to 12b. The short tubes are a disaster because if you get a stuck case there is no way of removing it without first knocking out the tubes. This becomes a pain in the butt after a couple of times, especially if it happens again the next shot after you just put the tubes back in.
Sorry to be so negative. I do actually like tube sets but for the purpose they were designed - that being SKEET!.
Alan
Ed Solomons
PostPosted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:05 pm
Hi Alan,
thanks for the quick reply. A friend of mine was discussing the possibility of setting up a sporting competition limited to small guages next winter, hence the interest!
It is interesting to hear your views on the performance of the .410, the only previous experience i have with small guages being the use of 20 and 28 bores, the latter particularly amazing me with regards to kills at long (relatively) range. I had given little thought to the altering of balance, which now seems painfully obvious, and no thought to a loss in confidence- I certainly dont want to undo any of last seasons' work. The prospect of continually sticking cases also puts me off, as you say, after a while this could wear a little thin!
I will pass on your information and perhaps have a bit of a re-think! maybe 28g would be workable. I know this much- i wont be shooting it with a set of inserts!!!
Many thanks, Ed.
Alan
PostPosted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:31 am
The idea of special events for the small gauges is a great idea and there have been a couple of such events held in recent years. For this the tube sets are probably fine becasue you are only using them for that specific event. It is the possible consequence of long term practice that is worrying. The shorter inserts do not add the weight but you will have ejection problems. If it is one event perhaps the cost of the more expensive US cartridges will not be a problem. Another gun is probably the best bet and it is what most seem to do. I personally have a K-20 to which I can add either .410 or 28b barrels and this is a great fun gun. There are any number of less expensive alternatives on the market if you look around. the big advantage is that using a different gun for your fun shooting does not screw you up when you go back to your competition gun.
Alan
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