.410 ga. in revolver for handy varmint control

[VTmtn.man]

I have all sorts of trees & gardens where the chipmunks, red squirrels, sap sucker yellow winged birds are decimating & or compromizing all the things planted and nurtured throuought & beyond the growing season. Most of the time I'm on and off the tractor & a 20 or 12 ga. gets used when it's at hands reach. Much of the time I'm stuck in an awkward position, yards away from my long gun, when a shot opportunity presents its self. A .410 on my hip is an attractive thought but don't have much experience w/ anything other than the usual varieties of .22 on up through .44 mag in pistols. Not much of a chance I would try w/ any of those.

What do yall think about a .410 revolver shooting 2.5 or 3" shells? I'm looking to be able to go 12 to 15 yds. If I can't go that far then a .22 rifle comes into play but it's got more drawbacks, as I will never point a rifle up at something in a branch and pull the trigger knowing that its bullet may go a mile or much farther before landing. I'm not in suburbia but don't want it landing off of my land, give or take a 1/4 mi in some angles of shooting. Any first hand advice, or opinions on the 'Judge' or the 'Governor' in their various configurations?

 

[Armored farmer]

I have owned, used, and reloaded the .410 for several years. I can only say that I have been intrigued with this tiny shotshell. I have hunted quail, squirrel, grouse, dove, shot sporting clays, and trap with 1/2 oz and 3/4oz loads. It is a load best left to experts.
I think the .410 in a revolver at up-close yardage may be one of the best uses for the little shell.
My humble advice is to use heavy shot (#4 or #6) to insure bone-breaking weight for the few pellets that are in a .410.

I have handled and shot many rds through my friends Judge. It is a good gun despite what some say about Taurus. It shoots .45colt pretty well also. I would be proud to own one, and may some day.

 

[Guvnor]

I have a decent amount of experience with 410 long guns, but not the judge. I do know that you will lose quite a bit of velocity going down to a short pistol length barrel.

This link has some pictures of patterns of birdshot loads from the judge at 6 ft and 10 ft. http://www.410handguns.com/taurus_spd_text.html

The patterns look like they would get pretty sparse beyond 10 feet, so taking that into account along with the velocity loss from the short barrel, and you have an extremely close range gun at best. Good enough for snakes but wouldn't want to try to take larger pests with it.

Something like the Thompson contender 410/45lc with the 12 inch barrel would be a much more effective choice and still be relatively compact and can be carried in a shoulder holster.

You could also go to a full length shotgun but get a compact one like an h&r tamer or one of the old "snake charmer" style 410's.

Hope this helped.