I have had a 45/410 ten inch contender barrel for 18 years. I carry it during hunting season every year. I use the 410 for shooting grouse, and have even taken a few ducks with it. It scatters real bad and you have to be real close. The barrel is rifled, and the screw in choke tube is to stop the spinning. As for the .45 cal Long Colt cartridges, I use the Contendor loading charts and load them pretty hot. I have no trouble hitting a six inch pie plate at 50 yards with the open sights. For me that's good with a pistol and open sights, I hate open sights. I pack this gun in my survival gear when I'm flying, the ammo belt weighs more than the gun. With a shoulder houlster it's real easy to carry in the woods.