I've been thinking about getting a .410 double...I know most people don't care for the .410, but I was interested in one just for fun primarily. However, I was wondering if some of the new .410 loads like the Winchester PDX-1 would be a good defensive round if needed. I know it was designed with the Judge in mind, but I wonder if/how it would work in a 18" - 20" smooth bore barrel.

I dont know about "most people" but in my part of the world the 410 has been concidered the experts gun sence the 1930's. Sorry bout the spelling

I guess I was thinking in the context of home defense...it is surprising that a lot of .410s command a very high price, but I suppose they are target/competition guns. The gun I have my eye on at my local gun shop is $399 new. I believe it is a Stoeger (sp) and has an 18" barrel.

"However, I was wondering if some of the new .410 loads like the Winchester PDX-1 would be a good defensive round if needed."

Not unlike the .22, in that respect, it beats screaming for help. On the other hand, why would you? If you purchase the same firearm in 20 gauge you open yourself up to a myriad of possibilities in the ammo availabilities. As most know it takes a savvy shooter to be good with a .410 bore shotgun. Most are chambered full choke and that alone reduces the 'scattergun' effect at closer ranges. So, having said that, even larger gauges scatter little at close range, but, they are packing a much larger pay load.

I loved my Winchester Skeet Grade Model 101 in .410 bore. I had lots of fun with it. I shot it very well... on the Skeet fields. Of course it was choked Skeet/Skeet.

The price of ammo to feed the .410 may be somewhat cost prohibitive, or not. Depends on the level of fun that you are expecting to have with it.

I would see about buying that double in 20 gauge. But, that's me.

Enjoy,
bdGreen

Hmmm...I hadn't thought about that (I dunno why not.) I assumed that regular loads (like bird shot) for fun shooting would be as cheap or cheaper than 12 or 20 gauge. I know they have some 12s and 20s in the same price range, doubles with 18" barrels...maybe I need to look at a 20.

Ken,
I think that you will find the 12 and 20's comparably priced. That will not ring true with the .410 bore.
Basic reasoning is that they sell the living poopy out of the 12's and 20's. Tain't so with the .410.
They are considerably cheaper to reload. Less powder, less shot, one primer, one wad, one shell. Bang! Now do it again.

bdGreen

.410 shells are nearly 1 1/2 times what 20 gauge shells go for.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I've seen non-leathal loads for 12 gauge not for 410 or even 20. I do not think the 410 packs enough punch for a knock-down/stun.

Depends upon your view of what you want to do. Fun is realitive. Fun for some might be shooting skeet with a 10/22 and shot shells.

I support the idea of placement over volume, but then I've never been tested. I see a lot of 410 loads for the Judge and family and the idea is appealing. They even have a revolver based rifle for those loving simplicity.

Go for it, worst case you sell her to another home.

B2

I always thought it was cheaper to reload them also, till I started reloading them. For me time is money and I can reload 3 boxes of 12 in the time it takes me to reload a single box of 410. Thats with a MEC 600 multi.

How many in a box? Aren't there more 410s in a box than 12s?

I've got a Baikal Coach gun. It's got hammers and sling swivels. It's pretty much useless for anything except home defense or maybe cowboy shoots (if it qualifies acceptable under the rules). I've got a model 12 riot gun also. If I was in the market for a home defense gun I'd go with a Mossberg pump combo. More shots should need them, AND they have come back to the fact that people want wood stocks.

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SOS USA

The .410 is a lot of fun to shoot but would not be my first choice for home defense, a 20 or 12 gauge would be better in that role.

Huh? I buy every .410 double I come across, regardless of condition. I take them to a gun show and they sell within the first hour. Always.

You can do better for home defense though.

being a .410 collector, i wouldnt pass up a nice .410 double

for home defense, i would probably choose something else.

410 ammo in my area averages $12 for 2 1/2" and $16+ for 3"....these are boxes of 25.

i managed to stockpile several hundred rounds of shooter-grade ammo for far less a few years ago not to mention all the boxes of vintage ammo i have gathered up.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I'm kinda old school, I know the big box stores now have differing size boxes then what I grew up with. Back in the day all shells (where i shop) came 25 to a box. The 410 box was smaller but still held 25 shells. So for the purpose of my post that is what I'm referring to. 22RF ALWAYS came 500 to a brick 10 little boxes of 50. Now days I see 500 or 333 in a lose pack milk carton that’s blasphemy. Cheap foreign made shot shells in 20 or 30 or some other odd ball number. Guess I’m dating myself but so be it.

I'd take a 410 for defense if I really had to, but there are much better choices of course.

The shotload exits the muzzle at the same velocity (most loads considered) as either a 12 or a 20. It's just that there is less of it, plain and simple. Fewer pellets hitting a target, less of a chance of doing damage.
You can lessen the pellet size to increase the number in the load, but that diminishes the energy each carrys I think.

Up close, and with a tight choke that most seemed to be blessed with, the pattern is small. You'll sink most of the 1/2oz or 9/16oz, or what ever they loaded into them in the target but again that isn't much when it's soft lead shot and not a solid bullet.

I load the 2 1/2" 410's (1/2oz) and shoot a Win 42 S/R w/ skeet choke. Does a good job on Skeet when the shooter does his part and can reach farther than most would imagine on those small fast targets.
I had a couple of field grade 42's w/full choke that were excellent shooters but the skeet choke is easier to make hits with.
I shot a Browning M42 for several years too and it was an excellent shotgun. I'd take another in a moment if I didn't have the Win42's. Very nicely made.

None of them along with their ammunition in hand would give me great confidence in a defensive situation given other choices. But having no other, it would be a blessing.
Kind of like a .25auto in your pocket..

I keep a .410 double by the kitchen backdoor and have for years. I keep in loaded with 3 inch #6's. On the stock I have a slide on rifle cartridge boot that holds an additional six .410 shells, usually two more #6's and four slugs.

From the back porch with my double .410 I've killed skunks, 'pollums, snakes, coyotes, and even a couple of neighbor dogs that were getting into mischief. I've hunted with it and taken an untold number of critters for the frying pan including quail, doves, rabbits, squirrels, and my youngest son took a 6 point whitetail with it. That .410 double has also provided my wife a level of comfort a time or two when things went bump in the night when I wasn't home and no doubt had it been necessary she would have given the boogie man both barrels.

Saying a 12 guage is better for home defense than a .410 is like saying a .45 ACP is better than a .22 LR . . . well, duh, sure it is. I still don't want anybody shooting in my direction with a .22 LR or a .410.

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