.410 as a home defense shotgun

[Valorius]

I think that in .410, 000 buckshot is unquestionably the best load going. I wouldn't even trust the light 1/5th oz slug that's typical of that caliber.

But the 4 count 000 magnum loads available in .410 are a very serious defensive load IMO.

[toadyoforangeville]

Ive seen deer hit with 410s slugs at 15 30 an two were hit at 45 all of them exited and inside both lungs were destoryed and heart like a pulp and plus its as good of a choice as my 9 mak p64 but my 12ga coach gun is closer and has a mini slug and #4 rem nitro mag turkey load 3" 9mak uses 95gr hornady custom xtp's

[Pfletch83]

I think that in .410, 000 buckshot is unquestionably the best load going. I wouldn't even trust the light 1/5th oz slug that's typical of that caliber.

But the 4 count 000 magnum loads available in .410 are a very serious defensive load IMO.

The 4 '000' buck loads are 2-1/2 inch shells

the 3-inch shells carry 5

You get more in payload with the 3-inch shells but less velocity (1100 some odd FPS for the 3-inch and 1200 fps for the 2-1/2 inch)

[Valorius]

3" would be fine too, as long as the extra recoil doesn't slow down the shooter.

[Pfletch83]

3" would be fine too, as long as the extra recoil doesn't slow down the shooter.

The best way to get a feel for how the 3-inch buckshot loads are going act is to just fire a few rounds of 3-inch birdshot,from what I've noticed in my shooting tests is that the 2-1/2 inch buckshot loads are pretty much unnoticeable from a recoil stand point but the 3-inch birdshot loads do kick a bit more.

It could be that it's due to a heavier charge of shot from the 3-inch game loads but I doubt the 3-inch buck loads will have as much felt recoil as the birdshot.

(You will really notice this in a pistol grip only gun not so much with a conventional stocked firearm though)

[Pfletch83]

Is there any way to make this thread a sticky?

.410's aren't talked about very much on here.

[Deleted]

Wasn't a shoulder fired .410 / .22 combo the survival weapon issued to pilots for many years?

Sorry if this was mentioned earlier but I skipped most of the 11 pages.

[Pfletch83]

I think it might have been.

[bmelt01]

Find yourself a JC Higgins 12 gauge model 20 and have it modified for a home defense gun. If money is a concern, its one of the best built, underated guns for the dollar.

[Pfletch83]

With what I have seen in my own tests the 2-1/2 inch federal loads are about the best going in 2 areas.

Yes the .410 has a small payload when compaired to 12 and 20 gauges,but it doesn't need a larger payload.

With a cylinder choke the .410 I've been using (a throw together Mossberg 500) will pattern those 000 buckshot like a slug at 5-7 yards.

75-100% of the pattern will hold a tight cluster for 15-25 yards,which makes it a very good choice at those distances,slugs would be better used at longer range.


I'm not saying the larger gauges aren't good at what they do,I'm just saying that the .410 shouldn't be completely forgotten about.