instead of the .410, I’d recommend a 20 gauge...
I’ve tried shooting clays with a .410, couldn’t hit a one (I was used to a 12 gauge).
The 20 doesn’t have that much more kick than the .410, and has more “intruder knockdown” capability, and can be used by the females in the family regardless of age (over 10, as you suggest).
I concur.
The problem with the .410 is that most of them are choked too tight. Because of the small payload, manufacturers choke them full or fuller than full.
I have shot sporting clays with my Winchester 101 in .410 and out to about 35 yards it breaks clays just fine (not smokeballs, but into 5-6 pieces) and it is choked skeet-skeet. On the skeet field (all targets within 25 yards, it has gone as high as 97 out of 100.
The .410 gets into peoples heads, if you do your job, it will break the birds.
The poor 410 gets no respect.
Load it with 3” 00 buck and no one will disrespect it.
As far as sporting clays or kids, the 410 is considered an experts shotgun.