I was wondering when this question would come up, when I saw that nifty 1894-410 that Winchester started making last year. Now
that looks like a barrel of fun, for squirrels and rabbits and close turkey and quail and close dove. I've no doubt that a mess of javelina, 'coon, 'possum, and some coyote will drop to 'em, too. If they're carried for those, you just
know that someone's going to chance a shot at a deer or a hog with one.
The .410 bore is a mighty anemic proposition for anything above 50 lbs.
As with so many rounds, whether you can reload makes a difference. Check out the complete fetish made of .410 slug loads over at
Doug's .410 Slug Forum!
Most of those guys are reloading.
Doing a quick look at the big manufacturers' published data on their .410 bore loads, I'm struck by two things: How fast the MV is, and how light the slugs are. 1800+ fps is great, but 1/5 oz is only
87.5 grains!!! (7000 grains to a pound / 16 ounces / 5 = 87.5 grains)
My word. Consider how lame that is. We're talking about something with about the killing power of a .38 Special, without the penetration. I tend to think of the 87g load as a little light for deer out of a .257 Rbts or .250 Savage (at around 3000 fps!). Also consider that the manufacturers likely are using full-length (26 or 28 inch) barrels, whereas the most popular .410 bore guns sport lighter, handier barrels. So you're likely getting a MV somewhere in the 1750 fps range, with your handy 22" gun.
I tend to agree with Art's statement: it depends on the size of the closet the guy and the deer were in together. At handgun ranges (under 20 yards), on an unsuspecting deer that was standing still, with a broadside shot, with excellent sights and a load that proved very accurate, I wouldn't say that it was
too big a stunt. I know I've related the tale of my friend who wanted to kill a deer with his family legacy .32-20, using my Dad as backup with an '06. Given the way he was trying it, it wouldn't have been too big a stunt.
But don't believe for a second that it carries the same killing power as a nice .45 Colt load, or a .357 magnum load, or even a nice .44 Special. Frankly, I'd feel a
lot better equipped with a .38 Special loaded with hot 158g +P loads.