.410 for Deer?

[kd7nqb]

So I got a wierd question. Last year when I went deer hunting I took my mosin M44 I like it a lot its a good rifle but its heavy and the area we are hunting shots are expected to be pretty short.

My other gun option is a Rossi break action .410 with slugs. Is this a humane load? What would my expected critical hit range be?

 

[41 Mag]

FOr the most part you would be looking at ranges in the 50yd area, and even there it isn't toting that much of a punch. The issues I have seen with the few .410's were that they had full chokes, which generally aren't good on slugs or the choke either. Not that they didn't shoot, just they didn't shoot consistently. If it were me, I might simply suck it up and tote the Mosin or start look for something different at your local gun show or pawn shops.

Not trying to dis the .410, just it isn't all that when it comes to deer hunting.IMO

 

[Aaron12]

two words, bad idea.

 

[redneck2]

.410 was made legal a few years ago in Indiana. Move to get youth involved.

A .410 has an 88 grain slug moving at 1,200 fps max. Maybe the same or less power than a .38 Special out of a pistol. Real bad idea IMO.

 

[Flintknapper]

Most .410 bore slugs are loaded in a 2.5" inch offering.

Most slugs range in weight from 90-115 grs. ALL have horrible Ballistic Coefficents...and will bleed off energy to about 1/2 the Muzzle Energy at roughly 50 yds.

Add to that, most 410 shotguns are choked either "Full" or "Modified", this doesn't help accuracy. Then consider your sights. The average 410 shotgun is equipped with a simple bead front sight (O.K. for birdshot...but lacking for precision shooting).

Yes, with proper shot placement....you can kill deer with a .410 slug. Is it a "good idea"? I will leave that for you to decide.

Flint.

 

[natman]

410 slugs are very light for caliber, which results in poor penetration. Couple that with poor accuracy and it's not a good combination.

Beg or borrow a 30-30 lever action and you'll be a lot better off.

 

[kanook]

can you get a different upper for that Rossi?

 

[Tim the student]

First off, is it legal in your state? It's not in mine.

Secondly, if you can't get another upper for it, might you be willing to trade it (and pay a bit probably) for a 20?

 

[kd7nqb]

Ok looks like I am sticking with the mosin, unless I find a deal on a nice lever action in the weeks before deer season.

THANKS FOR THE INPUT

 

[MCgunner]

Another concern, without much weight behind 'em, they have terrible sectional densities, penetration will not be enough on game the size of deer. You may not get an exit wound, not good. Step up to a 20 gauge. It will do the job to 50 yards with a foster slug and if it's rifled and can shoot sabots, it'll shoot 100 yards and kill deer.

 

[redneck2]

Another thought is to get a .50 black powder side hammer. I used one for years with great success. You can get them for $50-100 around here most any time.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

Like has been said, get a 20 gauge when you can. You've got time to get one and fire a box of shells before you go into the woods. They don't kick all that much and the 20 gauge slugs will be much better for a deer.

 

[stonecoldy]

20 gauge and larger (16 if possible to find, 12 gauge IMO best) slugs, in Foster-style slugs (Remington Slugger, as an example) are the way to proceed. Sabot slugs may have certainly have plenty of advantages over this style slug load, but I have no experience with them, so have nothing to offer.
I have had complete penetration on broadside shots on 120 plus pound whitetails at over 50 yards several times, heavier deer had large slug expansion (over an inch diameter, starting to fragment) in the offside.
This was a 1 oz. slug load, not magnum. I don't remember any running more than 50 yards after the shot.
.410 slugs should not be a first pick, surely.

 

[lobo9er]

in a survival situation and you had to eat and thats all that was available

 

[Guvnor]

Im a 410 owner and ive looked into this topic as well. I think accuracy (or lack thereof) with the full choke is a big issue. But if you use the right slug, do alot of range practice with your setup, and hunt at very short distances (like 20 yards or less) I could see it doing the job.

But nevertheless, most lead 410 slugs break apart pretty quickly and therefore dont have alot of penetration. One exception might be the Brenneke 410 slug which is made of a harder alloy and it is said to penetrate much futher.

If anyone is interested this guy made a site devoted to the 410 slug and did alot of testing. Its got alot of good info.

http://mcb-homis.com/index410.html