old blackpowder guns

[Timelord]

Reloading materials are very very cheap from Siarm in Italy. Check it out... This makes speciality loads no problem to manufacture. The chance of finding or scavenging 12gauge ammo PSHTF is not a guaranteed option. The ammo may become particularily important to those already holding it. Having reloading materials and some simple tools or a small portable hand reloader is a more definite way of being prepped for any situation. In this case, the .410 becomes very efficient on powder and reloading materials to keep running. A shorter effective range using smaller shot is probably all that is required for opportunistic hunting of small game. Traps could be set up for predetermined & longer visual range hunting for a more efficient result than using a firearm and possibly drawing attention to oneself. A .410 will still readily drop birds like pheasents etc. The 12gauge is possibly overkill for small game. Yes there will be more shot flying but there are drawbacks to that in a PSHTF scenario. I have nothing against 12gauge, I like them myself, I also fancy the possibilities often overlooked of the smaller smoothbore weapons systems. TL