hunting with a .410 shotgun

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IMO the bottom line is this - every weapon has an effective range, and taking shots beyond that range is unethical. A 12 gauge or 30-.06 is not automatically a more ethical hunting weapon than a .410 or bow if the shooter takes ridiculous shots that have a high probability of wounding rather than killing.

Every hunter needs to know that range and also needs to know their own skill level well enough to understand when it is better to pass on taking questionable shots.

Many people seem to think that giving beginners the most powerful weapon they can possibly handle is more ethical than starting them on less powerful ones, but I disagree. IMO it's far more important to learn to shoot with confidence and accuracy and also know your limitations with the weapon you have.

There's definitely more margin for error with more powerful weapons, but that can lead to thinking that there is no need to learn hunting discipline as a part of the process, and IMO that's a major mistake. If you first learn to hunt successfully with a less powerful weapon the transition to more powerful ones will be much easier than going the other way.
 
Me Too

I have a Winchester 9410 that I have been wanting to deer hunt with for sometime. I have practiced with remmington sluggers and have had a hard time hitting a 2 liter bottle past 20 yards. I want to try Federals new 000 bucks shot for handguns (The Judge). I think it could possibly work well.

To the point of the OP yes you can but you would be limited. This may be what you are trying to do though. Making it more sporting so to say.
 
I am an avid whitetail hunter whom was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Muscular Dystrophy. I am 27 years old now. Over the years I've found carrying the larger gauged shotguns afield were limiting my saftey factors and my ability to properly make a good shot. I purchased an H&R .410 single shot over the summer and had it fitted with the handi rifle stock set (to reduce the weight) I also had the barrel cut down and recrowned from 24 inches down to 18 inches. I had it drilled and tapped for a scope and am using a Bushnell trohpy hunter 3x9x40 scope. Many of my friends laughed when they seen the gun, but when they shot it, they were astounded by the performance it had. It shot just like a .22 mag, hardly any recoil and was flat shooting out to 75 yards. While many ponder the use of the .410 slugs against a healthy mature whitetail, I am proud to say it can be done. On November 15th, opening day of Michigan's firearm season at 3:35pm, I put down a 3 year old 9 point, weighing in at 172lbs field dressed. The shot was just over 35 yards and the bullet passed clean through the right frontal, between the shoulder and brisket and exited out the left side, just behind the left front leg, taking out the heart and left lung. The buck only ran 10 yards and then dropped. I was using Brenneke 3 inch magnum 1/4 ounce silver slugs. While every gun may shoot every brand of ammo differently, the latter is obvious... You can harvest mature whitetails with a .410. Just need proper shot placement. And yes, I would feel comfortable shooting out to 75 yards, no problem. Hope this helps.
 
Well, in the state of Michigan, in zone 2 (southwest Michigan) it's unlawful to use any centerfire rounds other than in a hand gun. We are only entitled to muzzleloaders, shotguns, and handguns (straight walled cartridges only), so not alot of options. And a few other states have these restrictions as well. Believe me, I am in huge favor of centerfire in rifles, for instance .44mag or .45lc in a lever gun, (considering they have the same ballistics as shotguns... maximum range of 150yds flat shooting for standard loads out of a 20inch barrel) but the laws won't change here. And aside from that, while a .410 might not be the best choice for everybody, some folks with physical disabilities, like myself for instance, just don't have a choice. The common 20 gauge and 12 gauges are too heavy for me due to my condition. I was a bit skeptical myself about getting the .410 from all the reviews, but when I did and seen the results, I am happy I made the purchase. And just for saftey reasons... never attempt to fire a .45lc out of a .410, unless the gun has been marked accordingly to do so.
 
No, you CAN NOT shoot 45 colt thru a .410 single shot. It might fit but it's not safe. There are guns that are set up to do this, the Taurus Judge, the TC Contender's and such. The H&R's are not. Just because it will fit doesn't mean it's to be done. I can drop a 460 S&W in my 45/410 contender barrel, anyone care to pull the trigger.
 
Okiecruffler is right. however, H&R does make a single shot that shoots the .45lc round. The buffalo classic rifle. I would be in huge favor of this gun as I have taken deer with my .45lc S&W 4&1/4 inch mountain gun at 83 yards. But again, state laws do apply.
 
I'd check the regs, but it if is legal in your state, I'd say it can kill a deer for sure.
A well placed shot that takes the heart or lungs is gonna put the animal down.
 
I killed my first deer with a 410. It was a slug out of a Springfield model 67. double, err 1.5, lung shot right around 30 yards. Tracked it about 70 yards.
 
vERN HUMPHRY said:
Hmmmm . . . .410 shotgun slug load:

97 grain projectile at about 1200 fps. About 310 ft lbs.

My .45 Colt load:

255 grain projectile at about 1200 fps. About 815 ft lbs.
Click to expand...

Never mind the fact that your GUESSTIMATED hand loads exceed Buffalo Bore by more than 60%...

Take note of the fact that 410 factory ammo is loaded to 1800fps almost universally in BOTH the .20 and .25 oz loads.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=557703

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=748758

I use a 12 gauge rifled slug gun myself, but I've only been deer hunting for a few years. My close childhood friend started deer hunting here in Indiana with his dad, back when he was 7 or 8 years old. He used a 410 single shot because he was not only young, but also small for his size. Eventually he grew up, but he never 'traded up' - he never had a need to.

His dad set him up in a tree stand a few yards off of a major trail on their own private land. Guess what? He got his deer every season with no troubles. HOW? Because he hunted it like a handgun - ranges in those thick pines were typically about 20 yards.

Is it a 150+ yard gun like a good 12gauge? Not a chance.
Is it a 100 yard gun? No way.
Is it a 50 yard gun? Yes. Reality has proved it such many times.
 
I will say this. In the early 1970, I mowed yards for a summer and bought a used .410 shotgun, bolt action. Used it to bag many squirrels and birds as a child. Problem with a .410 is that there are so many better choices. Will it work - yes; but why use it with so many other options?
 
it could be done, no question. it could probably be done with a big enough slingshot, if you wanted to roll the dice, and didnt care about the animal or how humanely it is killed.
 
I just had to join THR, just because of this great 6-year-old thread! I just bought a Yildiz TK-36 .410 at Academy. Pretty little thing. 5.5" group at 40 yards, so I need some practice before I hunt deer with it though ;o).

Be safe out there.
 
i would have to bet that i can kill more deer reliably with a 410 slug than i can with a compound bow.and im not a bad shot with a bow.35 yrd max shot, only broadside thru the lungs, dead deer.a gun, even a 410 can be put into action at close range with less movement than a bow and fired quicker.nobody seems to question the leathility of a bow?
 
I have killed White-tail with a 410, I take it some of you have never hunted White-tail in the woods ! Around here if you are hunting deer in the woods you will count your self lucky if you see a deer at 40 yds. Hell I have killed Canadian Geese at 40 yds. with 410 3in. Mag. #2`s, I have shot the heck of Ducks out to 60 yds. with 3in. 4`s & 6`s. So yes a 410 will kill, anything from White-tail to Cotton-tail WITHIN RANGE...........
 
If I was patient enough and got a pencil sharp enough I could probably kill a deer with it. What is the fascination of all these threads about "Can xxx caliber kill a deer?" Why not just use enough gun in the first place. I hate losing a deer, it makes me physically sick. I use enough gun so that this isn't normally an issue, why limit yourself to 20 yards with a questionable load when you can use an adequate load and not have to worry about it. I'm out there to put meat in the freezer not to shoot deer with a pop gun and loose them.
 
From TNBoy
What is the fascination of all these threads about "Can xxx caliber kill a deer?" Why not just use enough gun in the first place
Click to expand...

TNBoy/Natman- This is not an answer to the question that was asked.

I believe this Question is being asked because of three reasons which i will clearly state here:
1. This is a common youth gun, generally the next step up from the more popular .22LR.
2. Buckshot and slugs are offered/ available for this calibur
3. For a Youth's first deer hunt they will turn to a familiar caliber, which is not intimidating to them in terms of recoil. (for young boys in my family, this point made the difference with them in going or them staying at home, so i let them take the .410)

This logic is what led both of my two sons to go deerhunting for the first time with the weak and lowly .410 with the slug.

Do i have other caliburs that they could have shot as an alternative as an option??? Of Course (7mm mag, .270 win, 30-30, sporter 7.62x54r, .223, 20 gauge w slug, and 12 ga w slug/ buck-shot). Any of these 7 other choices would have been much better, but at the time the boys, (ages 7 & 8, respectively) were both on the small side and wanted a gun with as little recoil as possible yet still had a chance at taking a deer.


I was there for back-up with a much larger caliber, and the fact of the matter was that they moved around so much that they spooked most of the deer well before shot opportunity... But it was an enjoyable experience, they learned something, and now that they are both years older, can handle a better firearm.

(& BTW...I have harvested a whitetail doe & 3 point buck with a 3.5" blade pocket-knife... )
 
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Retrieverman wrote:

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer with a 410 slug, but I know the limitations and would have to have the perfect situation.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but yours would probably be a “Merkle” and would actually shoot where you pointed! ;) :D

===================================

General....

I shouldn’t really chime in here….I’ve never shot a deer with a 410/slug combo, only tracked down a little fork horned buck my Brother-in-Law gut-shot with one.

Finally found the poor thing standing in the middle of an old logging road all “humped up”. :(

His follow up shot (taken at the incredibly difficult distance of 15 yds.) STILL hit the buck about 10 inches behind the shoulder causing it to stumble and start bawling. :scrutiny:

That was all I could take, I had my .45 acp with me and administered the Coupe de Grace before my BIL could to it any more dis-service. :mad:

Yeah, I know…it’s all about shot placement, but honestly…most of us have better choices in our closets/gun cabinets than the .410
 
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