.410 Slug Accuracy

[seeker_two]

I'm thinking about getting one of the Winchester or Marlin lever-action .410's (or perhaps a .410 pump) for a truck gun. While I understand the limitations of the .410, I'm more interested in it as a lightweight, light-recoil "survival gun" . And I understand the limitations of .410 bird & buckshot as well.

I do have a few questions:
What kind of accuracy should I expect from .410 slugs at 25, 50, & 100 yds.?
What about downrange energy?
Would it be comparable to a .357Mag slug fired from a 6" bbl. revolver?
Would it be enough for coyote-sized animals at the range listed?

(I'm interested in ALL experiences--even if its w/ different guns than those mentioned.)

Thanks in advance...

 

[kudu]

Well lets see

Accuracy I don't know about the lever guns but my 1100 with a skeet choke will shoot slugs all day in about 8" at 75 yds. Vent rib with two beads are pretty accurate.

Down range energy? A .410 slug is about like a .38 +p round give or take. The slugs are listed at 1/5 oz, I think thats about 95 grains, someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

Should drop a coyote if you can hit it. Last year Indiana made the .410 legal for deer season As we live in a shotgun only state, or pistol I hope people will choose their shots carefully. I wouldn't take the chance on deer unless inside of 20 yds.

The marlin has rifle sights on it from seeing one at a local gun shop, might be a bit more accurate than a vent rib shotty.

Hope this helps.

 

[Iain]

Been kinda of interested in this myself, particularly in regard to what kudu said about legal use in Indiana on deer. Hope this article is accurate and of use.

http://www.4-10.freeuk.com/mwslug.html

 

[kudu]

Good link St Johns

A responable hunter will wait for the 'good' shot, but all too often it is a 'spray and pray' mentallity. Many times it sounds like a small war going on here when deer season opens in November. When you hear five and six shots and then see a deer or herd of deer bust out of a woodlot headed for the next county it kind of makes me mad. The most shots I have taken on a deer is two, usually a 'put them out of their misery shot' if I happenned to spine them and they are still alive. I have seen three does with their legs hanging this last week where I assume a hunter has taken a poor shot and just blew a leg off. sorry, rant off

As coyotes are seen most places as vermin, a .410 should do to drop one out to a comfortable range for the shooter.

 

[seeker_two]

Thanks, guys. The link was extremely insightful.

May have to expedite my .410 purchase...

 

[JA]

You might think about the Saiga 410 shotguns. It is a semi auto AK-47 chambered for 3" 410 shotshells and uses a 4 rd detachable mag. It has a chrome lined barrel that uses screw on chokes. I shot mine with the full choke installed using Russian Barnual slugs and got a 6" group at 50 yards.
http://www.kieslersonline.com/product/ko_itemdetail.asp?prod=RUSS410S
They have a 97 grain slug that is the same shape as the Remington and Winchester slugs but is enclosed in a plastic sabot. The best part is you get twice as many rounds per box for less than the price of Remington or Winchester slugs.
I am sure that using the modified or cylinder choke tube and bench resting it I would shoot smaller groups. It has a bead front and notch rear sight. They have a side rail on the left side of the receiver for mounting a detachable scope mount so adding a scope or red dot would improve groups also. I have fired 400 rds of 3" shotshells and 3" slugs out of mine so far and it has been 100% reliable.
The best part is the $159 wholesale price.
http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/saiga/shotguns/saiga410gat.shtml