Author Topic: Deet for Woodchucks.....410 slug gun (Read 2196 times)

upnut · « **on:** February 15, 2012, 05:06:07 PM »

Hi, new member here! Thought I'd post a pic of the latest project and start to get aquainted. My daughter visited Alaska last year and heard of the .357 magnum as "Deet for bears"....so here's my "Deet for Woodchucks"...

It's a Marlin model 200 in .410, built by H&R for Marlin and sold thru K-Mart back in the 80's. I picked it up in a pawn shop, killed a few woodchucks with it. Decided to replace the too short wood stock with a full sized one from Choate along with their storearm. Just got it back from the gunsmith who shortened the barrel to 22 inches and added the scope rail, Swift 1x20 shotgun scope and Weaver rings. Anxious to start shooting to see which slugs, buckshot, etc. work best in the cylinder bore. It should be fun!

Enjoy !

Scott B.

jpshaw · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2012, 01:31:03 AM »

"Built for Marlin by H&R". I learn something everyday here. Nice looking shotgun. Is it engraved or is that refection on the frame I see?

upnut · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2012, 03:20:34 AM »

Quote from: jpshaw on February 16, 2012, 01:31:03 AM

"Built for Marlin by H&R". I learn something everyday here. Nice looking shotgun. Is it engraved or is that refection on the frame I see?

It's a case hardened finish, one of the things that caught my eye when it was in the rack.

Thanks, Scott B.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2012, 04:58:50 AM »

Quote from: upnut on February 15, 2012, 05:06:07 PM

It's a Marlin model 200 in .410, built by H&R for Marlin and sold thru K-Mart back in the 80's.
Scott B.

Who would have thought? The circle came completely around, when Marlin purchased H&R. Is it possible to see a close up of the frame. I'm curious what the manufactuers' "rollmark" looks like.

upnut · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2012, 07:57:30 AM »

Quote from: OldSchoolRanger on February 16, 2012, 04:58:50 AM

Quote from: upnut on February 15, 2012, 05:06:07 PM
It's a Marlin model 200 in .410, built by H&R for Marlin and sold thru K-Mart back in the 80's.
Scott B.

Who would have thought? The circle came completely around, when Marlin purchased H&R. Is it possible to see a close up of the frame. I'm curious what the manufactuers' "rollmark" looks like.

Well, the only markings on the frame would be th serial number starting with KM####. Unfortunately, the markings on the barrel ended up under the scope rail, which had I realized before I probably wouldn't have scoped it. On the plus side, I spent some time testing slugs this morning, and am very pleased with the accuracy of bulk pack Remington Sluggers. A very close second was Brenneke 2 1/2 inch Close Encounter slugs, at twice the price...

Thanks, Scott B.

Markus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:35:38 PM »

Welcome to the forum! That's a cool little woodchuck getter.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2012, 06:15:31 AM »

What kind of accuracy can that little slug gun do? Looks like a neat little rig.

upnut · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2012, 08:01:23 AM »

Quote from: Bugflipper on February 17, 2012, 06:15:31 AM

What kind of accuracy can that little slug gun do? Looks like a neat little rig.

Sighting in and experimenting the other day I ended up putting 3 Remington sluggers into a 2" circle at 25 yards, from a bench with a rest. Definately minute of woodchuck! Now that I've settled on the specific slug, I'll dial it in and see how it shoots at 50 yards. So far I'm happy with it. Winchester 3" slugs were wildly innaccurate, Federal 2 1/2" were so-so, Brenneke 2 1/2" were close but are pretty pricey. Buckshot and birdshot thru a cylinder bore .410 are not a good option at all...

Thanks!

Scott B.

upnut · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2012, 06:57:18 AM »

This morning's target, the flyer would be operator error. Six rounds from a bench with a rest at 25 yards. Needless to say, I'm pleased.....

Using my backyard shooting bench...

Also patterned a couple rounds of Federal 2 1/2 inch buckshot for handguns, put 8 pellets of 000buck into a palm-sized area at 15 yards, I was pleasantly surprised...

Scott B.

upnut · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2012, 02:47:48 PM »

Took the .410 to the range with us Friday, curious to see what it would do at 50 yards. The pattern opened up a bit, but still very accurate at that range. With the scope zero'd at fifty yards that's exactly what we got....very pleased! Don't know how much energy the little slug still has at that range, but I'm quite confident I'll hit what I'm aiming at!

Scott B.

yukondog · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2012, 06:20:07 AM »

Nice little shooter, I've been thinking about getting a 410 barrel.

upnut · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2012, 07:58:54 AM »

Have to get close with a .410, maybe some camo will help:

Stock set from Deerhunter#1 off the classifieds, thanks Tom!

Scott B.

j4l · « **Reply #12 on:** June 02, 2012, 03:58:38 AM »

Excellent. I love my .410- bought it back around 1992-1993, and has served my very well over the yr.s since. I use it most often for snakes w/ #4 or #6 loads, and the 3 x 000 loads for everything else.

Havent tried the slugs through it yet, oddly enough, but have been curious. Almost picked up a pack of Sluggers the other day, but passed on it.
I think now I'll grab some on my way home today. Am pleased to see those results you had with them. The Rem slugs being the ones most available around here.

Lots of folks knock, or blow-off the .410's as more or less useless. This is actually a shame, because they can be surprisingly versatile and accurate for most "around the house" uses. They can also be surprisingly powerful.
Out of curiosity, I did some penetration/patterning testing out back with the #4,#6 and 000 loads, just to see what they can/cant do.

#4 load at roughly 50 feet into 1" pine board

Back side of the board (s)

Now for #6 shot -

Back side/exit

3 x 000 load - same distance

And the exit/back side

So, I'm def. curious to try out the Sluggers in mine. When I do, I'll take and post the pics here as well.

j4l · « **Reply #13 on:** June 02, 2012, 04:25:59 AM »

Ah, almost forgot. I got fed up with the nylon/spandexy shell-houlder on the shoulder-stock that I have for this. After X yrs. of use, they tend to get "played-out" and begin getting lose/sliding around, and shells wanting to fall out.

Since I also happen to make Leather holsters and knife sheaths, etc. I decided to make an attempt at a Leather shell holder for this, as well. It's about 90% done so far,but seems like it may work out well.

Dyed dark brown- (next models, I may go for a lighter brown or reddish/brown)

Still needs final lacing- but am waiting to get in some brass grommets for the lace-holes for it, before doing so.

upnut · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2012, 08:25:24 AM »

Thanks for posting the tests and pics, since being bit by the .410 bug I enjoy real world experiences. I was getting mixed results with slugs, adding the scope tightened the groups up considerably. With .410 ammo being so expensive, I wanted to be sure of a good hit every time. The downside is going from a shotgun to basically a smoothbore carbine that happens to shoot buckshot and birdshot as well. My ammo sleeve usually has a mixture of #7 1/2 birdshot, Federal 2 1/2" buckshot, and Sluggers, so most targets are covered. I like the looks of your leather work, please post a pic of the finished product! You may get several orders!

Scott B.

j4l · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2012, 09:47:08 AM »

hmm.. scope option I wont have with mine- just the bead front sight like most of these..

Been torn, and still am,really, between getting the .45/.410 barrel for this, or keeping this as-is, and trying to find a .45 carbine barrel/or full carbine someday,or just grabbing a .45/.410 if one ever pops up around here again. Also been debating a Handi-even though I have no actual need for one, a Handi in .30-30, or .444 M.
But where I am, even though semi-rural, terrain and inhabitants limit safe shooting distances to around 25 yards- to -50 yards max. So one of those rifles would be way over-kill for anything Im likely to shoot, and not run the risk of hitting a neighbor with a miss or -through-shot or ricochet...

So, if the Sluggers work out in my tests, those might actually be ideal for the likely game I may need to safely hit within my range limitations. I guess I'll find out this week, when Im off work to try and test em!

The ammo holder I made will be my prototype- I'll test it out for a bit, and see what/where I need to improve things, and see how well it holds up under use, then I'll decide if to make some for folks, if requested.
At present, my usually on-gun loads are the #4 and #6 shot, and the 3x 000 shells. If the sluggers work out, I'll break it down to 3 of each= shot, 000, Sluggers.
And I like that ability of one simple, rugged, reliable, long gun being able to handle such a wide variety of critters-just by loading the appropriate shell.

j4l · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2012, 04:29:31 PM »

Picked up 2x 5-shell boxes of Sluggers yesterday on the way home from work.
Weather-permitting, I intend to pop-off a couple tomorrow, and try my usual Penetration/Impact testing to see what they can do.
Pics will post here, when I do.

DeerSlayer777 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2012, 01:00:39 AM »

Keep in mind, the sluggers are VERY soft lead. Brenneke is a much harder alloy and is heavier in weight (88gr vs 114gr), thus will penetrate deeper. The Paraklese technologies 410 3" 168gr. slug got me a 2" group at 50 yards with my scoped cylinder bore Saiga. I got a report from the guy who makes them, and he sent me a picture of the deer his nephew shot, and it did some damage! He received a consumer report of a lady using the 2 1/2" version of his slug and she shot a deer at 40 yards, and the slug broke through the first rib, went through the liver and still had enough energy to break another rib on the way out.

DS777

j4l · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2012, 02:53:46 AM »

Yes, I'm dying to try out one of the Brene's someday, as well. Just cant find ANY, locally,,in about 6 different shops.
Only thing I've been able to find for .410 anywhere are the PDX and Sluggers.

Bout to head out back now, and do the testing of these Sluggers, just to see for myself. Will post some pics later today.

DeerSlayer777 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2012, 12:31:19 AM »

I'm sure a local shop could order you in some Brenneke...or Winchester or federal slugs. I want to the the DDupleks slugs next, but I will probably stick with the paraklese slugs for deer.

Later this week, I will try to post pics of my vermin killer/slug shooter/plinker/deer killer/..........the Saiga .410.