The first few years my wife hunted deer she killed her deer with one shot from a Savage pump 410. Her stand was in little creek bottom and shots were 30-40yds. Same stand and practically the same shot year to year.
410 slug has about same power as a standard .38 special at those ranges.
I had buddy that was worried about the 410 thing and I think her Third year he insisted she use his Rem 1100Lt 20g. With which she shot her deer again same stand, same range. The Rem was a lot prettier than the Savage so I ended up having to purchase a 1100Lt 20g. Which she continued to do same shot, same spot for years.
On subject of 20g slugs for deer. I don’t know exactly how many deer I’ve shot with slugs. There was a game warden who made it his mission in life.
I shot a few with 20g as far as I have with 12g which is about 125yds. The Average shot in my neck of the woods is 30-40yds. Most of mine are shot on the jump out of thick cover. The 410 is no good for that type of hunting.
For sitting on a stump on a deer crossing , which is deer shooting not deer hunting the 410 is fine. Several kids shot their 1st deer from wife’s stand too. At 30-40 yds it’s not hard to kill a deer with a 22. I know a guy that once killed one with a 22short / Ruger Single-6 at about 25’.
The 357 mag is popular deer rifle here in Ohio now that we have limited rifle season. A 410 slug ( 1/5th once ) at 1250fps at 30-40yds on stationary deer will kill it just as dead as a 45/70. I also forgot to mention they weren’t bang flops but didn’t go better than 20yds. yes they were good hits, from people who could shoot.
I saw on a gun forum that shooting running deer is unethical. It probably is for 50% of hunters. I’ve found that Bar Stool Bullseye Shooters don’t fare to well when you stand them up on their hind legs. A man has to know his limitations.
410 slug has about same power as a standard .38 special at those ranges.
I had buddy that was worried about the 410 thing and I think her Third year he insisted she use his Rem 1100Lt 20g. With which she shot her deer again same stand, same range. The Rem was a lot prettier than the Savage so I ended up having to purchase a 1100Lt 20g. Which she continued to do same shot, same spot for years.
On subject of 20g slugs for deer. I don’t know exactly how many deer I’ve shot with slugs. There was a game warden who made it his mission in life.
I shot a few with 20g as far as I have with 12g which is about 125yds. The Average shot in my neck of the woods is 30-40yds. Most of mine are shot on the jump out of thick cover. The 410 is no good for that type of hunting.
For sitting on a stump on a deer crossing , which is deer shooting not deer hunting the 410 is fine. Several kids shot their 1st deer from wife’s stand too. At 30-40 yds it’s not hard to kill a deer with a 22. I know a guy that once killed one with a 22short / Ruger Single-6 at about 25’.
The 357 mag is popular deer rifle here in Ohio now that we have limited rifle season. A 410 slug ( 1/5th once ) at 1250fps at 30-40yds on stationary deer will kill it just as dead as a 45/70. I also forgot to mention they weren’t bang flops but didn’t go better than 20yds. yes they were good hits, from people who could shoot.
I saw on a gun forum that shooting running deer is unethical. It probably is for 50% of hunters. I’ve found that Bar Stool Bullseye Shooters don’t fare to well when you stand them up on their hind legs. A man has to know his limitations.
Last edited: