Author Topic: .410 slugs for deer? (Read 790 times)

single shot shooter · « **on:** December 20, 2004, 01:29:48 PM »

Has anyone out there used .410 slugs for deer hunting? If so I'd like to get some honest opinions from you. I was considering building a .410 slug gun for my son but would like to know how reliable .410 slugs are for deer. any input would be appriciated.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2004, 04:34:12 PM »

Better check your state regs first. It's not legal in ND and many other states.

Ramrod · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2004, 01:53:59 AM »

Right, not legal in many states because the performance is marginal at best, and inadequate for most shots. That little slug only weighs about 90 grains. To put such a gun in the hands of an inexperienced hunter is a recipe for disaster. Get a 20 gauge.

pastorp · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2004, 05:39:04 PM »

I agree the above are very anemic, even the 3" ones. You both stated that they were not legal in many states, Just curious but is there a web page that would have that info on it, or would a person need to check each states hunting regulations. Regards, Byron

Aardvark · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2004, 06:29:34 PM »

Probably wouldn't do anything but wound a deer with it. They only haave 1/5 oz lead which boils down to about 87 grains.Muzzle velocity is around 1200 or less. Good to shoot at cans with though.

single shot shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2004, 06:32:50 PM »

i got some 114 grn .410 slugs going 1755 fps. i think they would do more than punch a hole in a can

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2004, 04:58:34 PM »

Winchester lists their 87 grain slug at 1830fps. That beats most every Winchester .357 factory load for muzzle energy. The only thing I would be worried about is the slug not being able to penetrate deep enough.

Ramrod · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2004, 04:10:53 PM »

willysjeep134, another thing to worry about is that hardly anyone reccomends a .357 handgun for deer, and no one reccomends it for kids.

jeager106 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2004, 05:25:10 AM »

It's one thing to crank up the little .410 slug to beat the inadequate .357 pistol round, then it's another thing to HIT something with it.
Come on now. There are so many better choices why fool with the anemic .410 slug in the first place.
Yeh, there will be stories of how junior killed the biggest buck in the county with a single shot .410 and a slug.
You will NEVER here about the wounded animals that got away to suffer and die.
There have been a ton of deer killed with the .22 l.r. too, but would you really want to use that as a primary deer weapon?

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2004, 02:10:35 PM »

you make a good point about kids and small guns. It would probably be a poor choice for a young hunter, you're right. Energy and velocity don't tell the whole story.