Best .410 load for home defense.

I did some shooting with the .410 and bird shot this weekend. Two things I observed:
1) I don't want to be on the other end. It destroyed the various fruits I shot with it.
2) I think I will go with buckshot, for better penetration.
 
A 410 is fine for HD . Your talking 1/2 oz ( approx 220 gr) of lead moving @ 1200 fps. :eek: If you look at balistic tables you'll find that it has muzzle energy , lead weight and velocity similar to a mid range 44 mag load. I'd be more concerned about the single shot issue myself.
BTW, Mossberg made a great 410 pump gun just for home defence. Just the sound of that slide will likely clear people of any language off her property. :D
 
Well, Dasmi

I did some shooting with the .410 and bird shot this weekend. Two things I observed:
1) I don't want to be on the other end. It destroyed the various fruits I shot with it.
2) I think I will go with buckshot, for better penetration.
Click to expand...

The fruits you might have to shoot could be wearing thick clothing and they could duck behind a couch. I'm sorry that the majority of posts which recommend slugs hasn't convinced you. In 12ga, 27 # 4 buck has the least stopping power of any buckshot load. Once the pattern starts to spread, penetration becomes an issue, especially if any kind of barrier (like your couch) is in the way, or even heavy clothing.

Birdshot is easily defeated by heavy clothing at anything but spittin' distance. Once it starts to spread, you have tiny little individual pieces of shot that won't penetrate bare skin very deep. The only way it'll penetrate is if it's still all together, as one large mass--just like a slug, if you will. So, use a slug to begin with.

I regularly find birdshot just under the skin on small game birds (and not the far side, either) :cool:
 
Please tell her to sell this gun and get a short-barreled pump 12 gauge or 20 gauge. If she can't afford it, tell her to sell something. How much is her life worth to her? Used, reliable pump guns are cheap.
 
Yes, I will try and get her to do that.
I'll even offer her some money for the .410. I shot it and it was tons of fun :)
 
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I'll even offer her some money for the .410. I shot it and it was tons of fun

A 410 single shot is teh perfect "behind the door " gun for popping pests in teh back yard. Effective on all but the biggest critters and the single shot keeps the complaint calls down. By the time the neighbors think they heard one shot, they don't know what it was ;)
 
I'll echo the call for slugs. The .410 just doesn't carry enough shot payload for two-legged critters--esp. at range.

And I'll also echo the call for a repeater. If recoil's the problem, a pump- or lever-action .410 would be acceptable for close-range HD. Or a pistol-caliber carbine.

If she can't handle the recoil, a 12ga or 20ga won't do her much good & may even cause her to leave the gun behind when she checks on those "poor, racially-oppressed migrant workers"... :rolleyes:

Most importantly---- BA/UU/R---as much as possible... :D
 
If that were me, I'd go with slugs - if she practices a little, placement with a long gun at defense ranges shouldn't be any problem at all.

I am sure these aren't perfect for HD, as you noted. According to Remington catalog, the .410 "Slugger" slug is pushing an 88gr slug at 1830fps, for 654ft-lb of energy. Of course, they're not jacketed, and I don't know how great penetration will be, but, it's not rediculous. How fast can you reload one of these suckers? :D

I know this is the shotgun forum :) ...but, a pistol caliber carbine like the Ruger PC4GR (.40S&W semiauto) or Marlin 1894C (.357magnum lever, action job is helpful for quick shooting) is handy sized, high capacity, light recoiling, and will definitely do it.
 
A single shot for defense against illegal aliens? I don't see so much of a problem with the .410 as a HD round. But the main problem is that illegals are NEVER alone. There are always MULTIPLE illegals. I suggest something with a LOT more ammo capacity.
 
I saw a .410 for the first time this weekend. It was a .22lr .410 combo neat little gun. The .410 didn't sound like anything that I'd argue with. Especially if you had a pump with several shells. Better to hit with a .410 than miss with a 12ga :D ?
 
#1's or #4's.....These will get the job done. Heck I've turkey hunted with 4's and deer hunted with 1's. More than enuff power to get someone outta the house. We are only talking 10 to 20 feet.


Mak
 
home defense

I would echo the single shot worry. I would not worry so much about which gauge or what shell, but I think for home defensive purposes, it is vital to have more then one shot. You can buy a 410 pump at wallyworld for about 200.00 or a maverick 12 gauge pump for 159.00.
As as another said, there is nothing more intimidating then the sound of the slide on a pump shotgun.
I now personally like a pistol PLUS a shotgun. Maneuverability can be an issue in close quarters. But - just my opinion.
People sometimes think I am nuts, but I also keep LOTS of ammunition. If Hurricane Katrina taught me anything, it is I had better be prepared to fend for myself and not expect quick resupplies.
 
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