School me on .410 loads.

[Atticus_1354]

I am going to be picking up a m6 survival rifle that is .22/.410 and I need some suggestions on .410 loads. What does everyone use for rabbits, squirrel and birds? I plan to also keep a few slugs with it as this will be my jeep rifle. Who makes good slugs for it and what should I look for in a .410 slug? Could a .410 slug take a deer at close range?

 

[Greybeard]

6's are a good size for most critters named. Within the limited effective range of the .410 (roughly 20 yards max). At similar range - if you do your part - slugs reasonably effective on deer. Energy similar to large caliber revolvers.

Most any of the major manufacture's slugs are similar - about 5/8 ounce. And, IIRC, around 1800 fps - which is probably considerably faster than they would come out of short barrel survival rifle.

 

[plumberroy]

first off where are you getting 5/8oz 410 slugs I don't use anything bigger than 6's for my410 3" shell you can't get many #4's in that small hull I hope your m-6 does better with slug than mine I like my m-6 but it sucks as a slug gun I've tried 1/4 oz winchester 1/5oz winchester and brenneke's , unless I find something that shoots better than the ones I've tried so far I have decided that if I ever had to take a deer with it in a survival situation I shoot it in the head with the 22 I have hunted some with mine and taken several squirrels

 

[scout26]

#6's out of a .410 is pretty good all around choice for small game/birds.

Check your state Hunting Regs for legal calibers on large game (Deer). Here in Illinois .410's are a no-no on deer.

If you can take a deer with a .410 slug, shot placement is critical. Practice, practice, practice so that you can take the animal cleanly. 20-25 yards is about max range with .410 slugs.

 

[Atticus_1354]

Thanks for the advice guys. I don't plan to actually hunt deer with it except in a survival situation. I do plan to try and get some squirrels in the pot with it though.

 

[MDHunter]

My .02...

If you're hunting for the pot and the squirrels are on the ground, I'd recommend the .22 over the .410. Less messed up meat, and less muzzle blast - doesn't shake the other squirrels up as much. .410 is better/safer for any shots in trees though.

 

[Atticus_1354]

Not much ground around here. Most shots will be going skyward. But thanks for the heads up.