Well for target practice, you can use that Hooked on Phonics book you don't use.

small game. thats what i use mine for and i love it

Your best bet would be small game like squirrels and rabbits. It's all right to try for birds, but a .410 can be difficult for a new hunter to hit with in a wingshooting situation. Don't get discouraged if you don't start knocking them down right to begin with.

rabbits

Squirrels, cottontails and quail.

Squirrels, rabbits, grouse

small game mostly....but when i got mi first gun it was a .410 and i hunted deer with mine also killed a 8 point buck with mine and he was running like hell killed him with buckshots..it was a single barrel so i took a lot more time and consentration

I've owned(7), shot Skeet, and hunted with .410s for years. Up to 25 yards (maybe 30) they work great. They get a "bad rap" because most are full choke which makes them harder to hit with. Also many shooters try to use large shot sizes and stretch their range. The .410 doesn't have enough load capacity for that. It won't have enough pattern density; you will cripple birds. Use #9, 8, or 7.5 shot sizes for small birds, #6 for rabbits or squirrel. Buck@score-your-hunting.com