.410 for deer hunting?

[Faulkner]

Ever try a .410 bore shotgun slug for deer hunting? I was a youngster of about 8 years old using a 20 gauge slug to take my first deer, but my younger brother took his first deer with a .410 bore slug from a Winchester single shot. Years later, I bought a .410 side by side to squirrel hunt with and I've taken a few critters with slugs including a coyote and quite a few armadillos, and one feral hog that I came up on while squirrel hunting in the big woods of south Arkansas using .410 slugs. Sometimes while small game hunting with a .410 during gun deer season I have carried a few slugs in my pocket, but never took the opportunity to shoot any deer with it.

I came upon this on line article and imbedded test video and thought it was some very good info worth sharing, especially the test comparing two popular .410 bore slugs, the traditional Remington Rifled (Foster) Slug against the Brenneke slug. I was very surprised at the outcome of the test.

Just for clarification, I'm not advocating deer hunting with a .410 bore shotgun.

BALLISTICS GEL TEST: .410 SHOTGUN SLUGS (VIDEO) - The Classic Woodsman

 

[Nevada Ed]

I hate to use the little .410 on just Dove, let alone a deer size animal.

To keep a deer from suffering, I think the 12 Ga. slug is minimum, in order
to have enough energy and penetration.

However, anything will work in a true survival event, if needed, to survive.

 

[cmj8591]

In order to kill a deer with a 410, everything must be perfect. There is no room for error. Your marksmanship must be perfect. Your ability to estimate range must be perfect. Your knowledge of deer anatomy has to be perfect. The animal must be in the right position to present a proper target so that tiny slug can hit something vital. More likely than not, it will just wound the animal and cause it to die a slow death someplace other than where you are. I would not consider using a 410 for deer unless it was a survival situation. In fact, I would go so far as to say that using one for deer is unethical.

 

[Rpg]

I’m sure a fair number of white tails have been taken with a 410, but it seems more like a stunt than a good idea.

We’re all aware of photos of an Alaskan Brown Bear killed with a 22 short. Just because it’s been done, doesn’t make it a good idea!

 

[Billylee]

In Wisconsin the smallest legal gauge for deer is 28. 410 bore is further defined as illegal for deer.

 

[GypsmJim]

After my buddy's dad died, knowing that I was a shooter / hunter, he gave me his Dad's bolt action mag fed .410. He swore that his Dad had taken a deer every year with it. As he described it, it was many years before, and it was the only gun he ever owned.

The regulations in my home state forbid the use of a .410 for deer, so my only guess is that the law must have changed.

 

[Puller]

My Winchester 42 pump in .410 is my favorite shotgun. I've never shot a deer with it, but I've seen several taken down with 'em around our area. I'm with Faulkner, though. I wouldn't recommend it for deer hunting.

 

[Skeet 028]

I saw a deer taken with a 410 at just about 200 yds. Guyhad a Stevens 311 SxS. He just up and took a shot. Deer stumbled fell down and was dead when we got to it. Hit it just above the left eye. I shot one with my Win M-37 in 1960. About maybe 50 ft in a pine thicket. Never used a 410 on a deer again. It just kept walking for about 15 ft fell over dead. A friend shot a small buck with a Remington 11-48 28 ga one day while we were quail hunting. He used a blue Peters punkin ball load. I don't ever remember seeing a 28 ga foster slug. Killed the deer but surely didn't knock him over dead. A 20 ga is about as small as I want to go for deer

 

[venomballistics]

Ballistic products seems to have one or two viable specimens, but even they don't give the .410 slug much attention.
That's probably all one needs to know

 

[diyj98]

I've seen a number of deer killed with .410 slugs, but that doesn't mean I'd recommend it. I've also seen deer killed with 22LR's, but that doesn't mean it's a smart or humane choice.

 

[Rlg#17]

Sorry, no. Nor would I EVER. Our venison feeds us, so we would not try such a silly thing. But you do you, BOO!

Not sporting in any way, shape or form. Horrible for you, AND the deer…

Need I say more?

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[sigp220.45]

That was a well-done video.

The performance difference between the Foster slug and the Brenneke was amazing.

 

[Rudi]

I'm sure many deer have been taken with .22LRs. But I would not use a .410 or a .22 unless it was a survival situation.

 

[30-30remchester]

That was a well-done video.

The performance difference between the Foster slug and the Brenneke was amazing.

I agree with your assessment of the video. Often it is asked on these forums what is the best ammo for any particular animal to be hunted. The number 1 answer is "whatever your gun shoots best". After 6 decades of hunting deer, elk, antelope, bear, etc. I can find no worse advice. This video is proof of my experiences. If a novice hunter followed such poor advise and his 410 shot the foster slug better, the hunter would take to the woods and deer fields with the worst possible ammunition. In the big game fields of Africa there is a saying that is just as true here as there. There are only 2 factors in successful hunting and those are bullet placement and penetration. I autopsy every animal taken by myself, or clients and have even found dead unrecovered found animals that I autopsied to determine the cause of loss. The 2 factors in all cases were either poor shot placement or poor bullet performance.

 

[max503]

I'm just curious. I wonder how a 410 slug compares to a 357. Lots of people use 357 handguns on deer.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't think.I would use a 410 for deer. I don't think the projectile will retain sufficient velocity out last 30 to 40 yards to reliability kill a deer. Accuracy is also a consideration. A 1/5 oz 410 ,'slug is only 5.6 grams, 86.5 grains. I could be wrong but a 20ga or 12ga slug would be more comforting to me.

 

[murphydog]

Since no one has posted this yet...

.410 slug ballistics: Foster 88 gr at 1830 fps, Brenneke 110 gr at 1755 fps at the muzzle. Compare these to a 12 gauge at 438 gr at 1550-1750, to 600 gr at 1600 fps.

Comparing the .410 to a revolver is interesting. If you took a .41 Magnum, loaded it with soft lead bullets at about 40% standard weight for caliber with full charge loads you'd be close. Accuracy with that short of a bullet might be close to a smoothbore also.

 

[Bald1]

I'm just curious. I wonder how a 410 slug compares to a 357. Lots of people use 357 handguns on deer.

I would think a 410 slug would be similar to a 45LC ballistic wise. Using the long Colt in 410 might be better but without rifling who knows. LC isn’t very accurate out of my 15” 410 Encore.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

NEVER.......It's weak and small. You'll wound more than you kill. I'd consider it a "stunt" to try it.......Coming from a 410 shooter and a 410 loader.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I would think a 410 slug would be similar to a 45LC ballistic wise. Using the long Colt in 410 might be better but without rifling who knows. LC isn’t very accurate out of my 15” 410 Encore.

If you like your eyes and fingers you will never shoot a 45LC out of a 410 bore shotgun.