choke for .410 slugs
I did a GB search on the use of .410 slugs for deer hunting and found that the ballistics are similar to those of a .41 magnum handgun. So, if that is correct, using a .410 for 25 to 50 yds shots seems within the range of responsible hunting. My question is that my .410 O/U has fixed chokes; one barrel modified and one barrel full. Are either, neither or both chokes OK for shooting slugs? I have plenty of other shotgun and rifles choices but I'm thinking I might try it in the tree stand this year. Thanks
Worry is the interest humans pay on the debt of miscalculation.
Worry is the interest humans pay on the debt of miscalculation.
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before the screw in chokes came along all the the shotguns had fixed chokes and if they where field guns most had either a full or modified choke and lots of slugs have been shot thru them .. both your barrels should be fine with slugs ,, one may shoot better than the other but you will only find that out by shooting it at paper ,, I would start off using a good bench rest at 50 yards and see what happens , buy a couple different brands of the cheaper lead slugs ( foster type) 0 -
You might want to check and see if it's legal to use a .410 where you live. I know in some states it's illegal to use one for deer hunting.
Only The Strong Survive!!!!!0 -
Frankly using a .410 on deer is not a good idea.
Just not enough power for consistent clean kills.
Maybe you could find a reasonably priced 12 or 16 gauge to use.
You see i say this because when i was 13 years old i shot a small spike buck not even 25 yards from the blowdown i was sitting behind and we never found that poor buck.
And it was a direct behind the left shoulder shot.
He died most certainly but again we never found him and that still bugs the Hell out of me nearly 40 years later.
mike0 -
The ballistics are similiar but the slug is not. My father saw one of the largest bucks he ever saw dropped by a .410 by my cousin. However, he would have aggreed there was some luck involved, as it was a neck shot at some distance. If close in, and you have religiously practiced, it very well is doable. My 85 year old dead shot hunting partner shot a nice doe front on. She died soon after, but ran nearly 40 yards. In fairness, I had the same happen with a saboted 12 ga., even tho the top of the heart was gone. 0 -
First saying that even a .22 shory will kill a deer and has probably killed more than any other round, a .410 is not a suitable deer cartridge for a true sportsman, unless you are one who intends on one-shot kills under 50 yards and practices what he preaches. Which means that you pass up a lot of shots that you would take with a rifle.
I love the .410 and hunt pheasants with one, and I pass up a lot of shots, because I hate wounding animals. At 40 yards, from experimentation, shooting into a bullet trap, a .410 slug has less power than a .38 Special, no matter what any ballistic chart says. And the accuracy is abysmal. Good luck, either way!!!0 -
After hearing that the fixed chokes were OK, I fired some cheaper slugs at a paper dinner plate. From 50 yards I was able to hit the plate every time from a makeshift rest similar to conditions in a tree stand. Using both barrels I got something like a five to six inch group with 4 shots. I tried the same thing with my model 19 S&W with less luck. I am patient and would only take a high percentage shot, if I decide to use the .410. After a little target practice, I think the .410 is accurate enough for 25 to 50 yard shots. Also it appears to be a legal way of taking deer in Florida. Rimfire rifles are not allowed, I didn't find anything mentioned about .410's.
Worry is the interest humans pay on the debt of miscalculation.<BR>0 -
Well i have to say that your o/u is a pretty accurate little shotgun to group like that at 50 yards using,i am assuming, a bead sight.
But again,and i am not trying pick an argument,is there a reason you seem determined to use that .410 on deer??
After my youthful experience with a .410 on a deer and what i know from years of deer hunting i truely believe you are going to loose more deer than take home with that gauge of shotgun.
mike0 -
I am working on a new project with a 410. I just purchased an old Mossberg bolt action 410 for 50.00. I am going to drill and tap it and mount a scope on it and use it for deer hunting for 100 yards and under. You see here a lot of farmers are livestock farmers and are afraid of centerfire rifles around their livestock but dont mind shotguns. The 410 is a shotgun, but with slugs, and scope mounted, I bet it will shoot and kill deer as well as a rifle of similar size. 0 -
Sniper762:
There's no way I'd ever even attempt a 100 yard shot with a .410 slug. That just a bad idea all around. There's a big difference between a slug and a rifle. What "rifle of similar size" are you comparin this .410 slug to? It sure won't maintain or achieve the velocities like a high power rifle will. It might work for ranges under 50 yards, but its not a good idea to attempt a 100 yard shot with a .410. All you are going to do is wound the deer(IF hit) and watch it run off. Its a hunters responsibility to do his best to make a clean, quick kill. Take this into consideration. If you do decide to use your .410, make sure you get a good flashlight and a comfortable pair of boots.0 -
You always hear a lot of woulds and wouldn'ts on a subject like this but one factor that always seems to be forgotten is the size of the game that is being hunted. A Florida deer is not that big. What do they run, 120#-130# on the hoof?? Up in the north country our yearlings are nearly that big. Would I consider a 410 for a 200# plus northern deer? Probably not. Would it perform adequately for a 120# FL deer at reasonable range? Most likely yes. Just because a slug does not immediately knock a deer off it's feet does not mean it isn't effective. In At least 1/2 of of the fatal shots I've ever witnessed the deer was able to run a short distance before dying. I always find it amusing how some seek bigger and better weapons to hunt with while others go the opposite direction in search of a bigger challenge.The key is confidence and competence with the weapon in hand. 0 -
Don't shoot slugs through a full choke. If you can, get another barrel that's either rifled, or along the lines of Improved Cylinder.
Secondly, a .410 is just a bad idea for anything bigger than a rabbit, and is more likely than not illegal to use, as most states prohibit anything smaller than a 20. Don't do anything stupid.0 -
quote:I always find it amusing how some seek bigger and better weapons to hunt with while others go the opposite direction in search of a bigger challenge.
My reply was only to Sniper who said that he was going to be useing a scoped bolt action .410 . He said he would try it at distances of up to 100yards. Personally I don't mind folks who hunt for a challenge. But in this case there is a differance between a "challenge" and what I'd call being irresponsible.0
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