.410 Shotgun Shell from Derringer Defensive Round?
Now, if you would, for those that know, let me know the overall effectiveness of the .410 shotgun shell as a defensive round when fired from one of the derringers available that will accomodate them.
Would the 3" shell loaded with birdshot be effective, say, at across the room distance, perhaps 10 feet? My own thinking is it would spread out so much that the attacker would be hit several places with the blast, like face and hands, but penetration would be minimal. But maybe it would make an attacker think twice?
Or, what about the buckshot loads available? Would they be better than the birdshot?
On the buckshot loads, I know they make 2.5" rounds that have three balls, do they make 3" rounds with four balls? I have not seen any.
For real self defense purposes, would it be better to load some sort of compromise round, say with BB sized shot?
Thanks!
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.
Would the 3" shell loaded with birdshot be effective, say, at across the room distance, perhaps 10 feet? My own thinking is it would spread out so much that the attacker would be hit several places with the blast, like face and hands, but penetration would be minimal. But maybe it would make an attacker think twice?
Or, what about the buckshot loads available? Would they be better than the birdshot?
On the buckshot loads, I know they make 2.5" rounds that have three balls, do they make 3" rounds with four balls? I have not seen any.
For real self defense purposes, would it be better to load some sort of compromise round, say with BB sized shot?
Thanks!
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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.45 Long Colt might be a better option, but at 10 feet I think that any of the .410 shells would be adequate.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
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I know we were shooting at a computer with a 10" barreled .410 at the last shoot and birdshot was bouncing off the plastic case of the computer[:0] I'd stick with heavier shot with that short of barrel to increase the effectiveness. Shotshells don't run very high pressure so it takes a while to speed the shot up. I'd run a light load of #5 or better shot or a slug
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Boeboe
I would think 10 feet would be about the maximum distance for 1/2 Oz of shot coming out of that little barrel. Anything beyond is really going to start to spread and not have effective penetration.
quote:Originally posted by boeboe
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Would the 3" shell loaded with birdshot be effective, say, at across the room distance, perhaps 10 feet? My own thinking is it would spread out so much that the attacker would be hit several places with the blast, like face and hands, but penetration would be minimal. But maybe it would make an attacker think twice?
The three ball option starts to defeat the purpose of firing a shotgun derringer. Might as well go with a straight .45 slug.
[qupte]
On the buckshot loads, I know they make 2.5" rounds that have three balls, do they make 3" rounds with four balls? I have not seen any.
BB's sound the best option to me but I've never seen factory loaded in .410. You will have to roll your own. If your going to go that route maybe you should roll the BB's with blackpowder. Think about it. If your going to cap someone with a .410 derringer you probly only going to get the first 2 shots off. All of the smoke will add to the psychological trama of the person on the recieving end of the BB's. Also being a .410 it will give you a smokescreen to high tail it out of there.[;)]quote:
For real self defense purposes, would it be better to load some sort of compromise round, say with BB sized shot?
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Thanks!
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
Are you kidding me ? Back in the 60's my grandma shot an intruder Thru an old solid core interior door directly in the chest with a .410 3" no 4 shot from about 15 feet. I was young but remember all the blood in the house. The guy was very fortunate to live. Granted there is only 11/16 of an oz of shot vs. 1 1/8 in a 12 gauge but make one thing clear, velocity is the same and so is shot size, just less shot. At 10' the little handgun would get an intruders attention. 0 -
boeboe
I have some 3in 410 in my collection with 5 shots of oo buck made by sellier & bellot dont know if they are still made tks.hedge0 -
A .410 derringer would be just about last on my list of defensive firearms. Better than nothing, effective if you hit your target, but not well suited for the purpose.
Have you ever held one? They seem big as a toaster! That's especially true if you get one with an oversize grip, essential for accurate placement. Derringers are intended for CCW, & use at arms length; they should be small enough to fit in your pocket. If you are going to use a handgun that big, just about any revolver would be better.
Neal0 -
boeboe, if your derringer is anything like mine, a slug is rather impressive at these distances . . . as is the recoil / muzzle rise. At intimate distances (on targets) I find I have to point at the crotch to put the shots into the torso. All in all, I decided a .45 LC with a nasty bullet would be a better choice.
Also, w/ a 3" shell, about all the derringer gives you is a firing chamber.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)0 -
Are you kidding? A solid core door? What was it a solid toilet paper door? There is no way a .410 derringer loaded with #4 shot is going through a solid core door at 15 feet. Think about it that little barrel. Was she shooting a real shotgun?
Dean
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
Are you kidding me ? Back in the 60's my grandma shot an intruder Thru an old solid core interior door directly in the chest with a .410 3" no 4 shot from about 15 feet. I was young but remember all the blood in the house. The guy was very fortunate to live. Granted there is only 11/16 of an oz of shot vs. 1 1/8 in a 12 gauge but make one thing clear, velocity is the same and so is shot size, just less shot. At 10' the little handgun would get an intruders attention.
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
I have a 2" barreled revolver in .410. If I had to use it for protection I would choose the slug loads. I can shoot them accurately and they have a decent punch. In my gun (Thunder Five) .45 Colt bullets tumble 100% of the time so I never shoot them any more
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau0 -
How is the accuracy in your ThunderFive. Do you have the 45-70 conversion? I've always wanted one but they are considered sawed off shotguns in California[V].
Dean
quote:Originally posted by TWalker
I have a 2" barreled revolver in .410. If I had to use it for protection I would choose the slug loads. I can shoot them accurately and they have a decent punch. In my gun (Thunder Five) .45 Colt bullets tumble 100% of the time so I never shoot them any more
"Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
Dean, Winchester 37 . And the door was not paper thin ! It blew a HOLE clear thru it.. 0 -
No, I don't have the .45-70 in my Thunder Five, just the .410/.45 Colt. Accuracy is very good with slugs, about 2-3 inch groups at 15 yards and 4" at 25 yards. Fifteen yards is about the practical limit for using .410 shotshells, but it fun to shoot. It's so heavy there is little recoil even with 3" shells. .45 Colt works OK out to 10 yards, but as I said earlier, bullets tumble, and a 10 yard group is about 6-12 inches with sideways bullet holes. At that range, bullets that tumble would be very deadly, however. 0
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