.410 observations

[tobkis]

I went the way of .410 bore for HD. After training, testing rounds and penetration myself I am confident I will put down anyone entering my home regardless of chemical influence that they have chosen.

It might not work for others and I respect that.

[Pfletch83]

Shot placement is key for anything, shotguns included (even more so at close range)

The larger gauges have alot of firepower( never said that they didn't) but so does the little .410,the only areas it lacks in are recoil (which is a good thing) and payload (see opening statement at the top of this response)

They can throw the same type of pellets at about the same velocities,which means it has the ability to drop a bad guy just a fast if the shooter holds up his/her end of the deal.

So yes the .410 is equal, not more powerful than,not weaker than,but equal to the larger gauges.

[Pfletch83]

Here is a test to try if you want.

Take a 12 gauge with an 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel.

Set a target out at 15-21 feet

Using '000' buck, fire one shot and check the pattern size,count how many hit the mark you were aiming at.

Then take a .410 with the same length cylinder bore barrel and at the same distance,fire one shot of
'000' at a similar target,and count the number of pellets that hit the spot you were aiming at.

[aippi]

Pfletch - I don't have any 000 buck. What would be the hit count for each. If it is the same or even close you have made a very convincing point. That would also make a .410coach gun about the most KISS simple nd deadly HD shotgun out there as the simplicity of it combined with the firepower would make it a must for those wanting to avoid recoil and the need to cycle an action.

[Dark Mod]

"A fairly common trivia question is "What has the biggest pattern at 30 yards, a 12 gauge or a .410 bore?" Actually, the .410 does, because its pattern is spread by a much higher percentage of deformed shot diverging from the main pattern. But, it does not have the larger effective pattern. The 1/2 or 11/16 ounce shot mass of the .410 cannot possibly populate a pattern with as effective a density as a standard 1-1/8 ounce 12 gauge field load."

Chuck Hawkes

http://www.chuckhawks.com/410_what_good.htm

[TheExpertish]

.410 can most certainly get the job done if need be..

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=134695

The pictures pretty much cover it.

Wow, those pics were gnarly. I don't doubt the capability of a .410 for HD. Makes it so even the kids can pitch in. 12 gauge is the standard obviously, but to each his own.

[Pfletch83]

"A fairly common trivia question is "What has the biggest pattern at 30 yards, a 12 gauge or a .410 bore?" Actually, the .410 does, because its pattern is spread by a much higher percentage of deformed shot diverging from the main pattern. But, it does not have the larger effective pattern. The 1/2 or 11/16 ounce shot mass of the .410 cannot possibly populate a pattern with as effective a density as a standard 1-1/8 ounce 12 gauge field load."

Chuck Hawkes


http://www.chuckhawks.com/410_what_good.htm

And we aren't talking about 30 yards or birdshot now are we.

We are talking about 15-21 feet (5 to 7 yards) pretty much inside the house range with '000' buckshot.

[ZombieTactics]

Here is a test to try if you want.
Take a 12 gauge with an 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel.
Set a target out at 15-21 feet
Using '000' buck, fire one shot and check the pattern size,count how many hit the mark you were aiming at.
...
'000' at a similar target,and count the number of pellets that hit the spot you were aiming at.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I have a Mossberg 590A1 and a Mossberg 930SPX, as well as a cheap "coach gun" of unknown origin and a Stevens clone of an Ithaca 37.

Using Federal 3" Vital-Shok sends 10 x 000 pellets downrange at 1225fps, and the widest spread at 7yds/21ft is about 6", with the cheap coach gun. The other guns do better than that.

Whatever point you were attempting to make, I think 10 x 000 on target is demonstrably better than 4.

You might want to ask yourself why there are no LE or military organizations which recommend or authorize .410 for duty use.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a few .410s. I do not plan on using any of them for SD. But, at least I can. I have a couple smaller shotguns that aren't suited to defend against anything bigger than a mouse at 10 yards.

[Dutch3]

I certainly don't doubt the lethality of a .410, especially at close range.

I have one here at home, but it is a bolt action and there is a 12GA pump sitting right next to it, which is likely what I would grab in a defensive situation.

[repubconserv]

Yall are crazy, you go 4 bore or you will die

.410s are fun, I love shooting my gramp's old bolt action 410. A month back I sprained my wrist and it was really hard to shoot my 12 ga, but the 410 was very nice. but since I can use a 12 gauge again easily, I will stick with that for HD.... whatever floats your boat though.

I certainly won't put myself in front of your 410

[lindajamison76]

Well, great work! You have helped me to improve my knowledge about this field. Thank you so much for sharing.

[jbush]

It's interesting as we get older we look for those things that help us continue the activities we did when we were young. I don't know the OPs limitations, but myself, I had lung surgery last year and have problems with my shoulders from being a commerical painter for 35 years. Just recently to continue enjoying shooting I switched for my centerfire rifles to a 17 hmr and from my 12 guage to a 20 ga. Never considered that I might not be able to handle my 12 ga HD shotgun, but this post got me thinking I might want to consider the option of switching to something that might be better for me to handle in a self defense situation. Thank you.

[Pfletch83]

It's interesting as we get older we look for those things that help us continue the activities we did when we were young. I don't know the OPs limitations, but myself, I had lung surgery last year and have problems with my shoulders from being a commerical painter for 35 years. Just recently to continue enjoying shooting I switched for my centerfire rifles to a 17 hmr and from my 12 guage to a 20 ga. Never considered that I might not be able to handle my 12 ga HD shotgun, but this post got me thinking I might want to consider the option of switching to something that might be better for me to handle in a self defense situation. Thank you.

Well I survived catching a car the hard way 6 years ago and I've not been able to enjoy shooting the heavier kicking stuff. (Though I use to do so as much as I could)

Needless to say I have a few problems as a result.

I can shoot the .410 all day long with no pain.

[Pfletch83]

Also the point I was trying to make is that the tighter pattern of the .410 at a 15-21 foot distance will be tighter and will hit just as hard on the threat without the same draw backs of the 12 gauge.

Also multiple shots can be made on target in less time (if needed)

The tighter pattern also means that those pellets can be placed more accurately.