I just bought a .410 shotgun and would like to know if i could kill a deer with it using a slug shots,for under 50 yards.
feedback please

Edited by - Christine B on 09/26/2002 09:10:14

PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE!!!! It has been done and probably will be done again,BUT if it was me I wouldn't try it. Limiting your shots to under 50 yards is a good start and reasonable. good luck

I remember reading an article in G&A a few years ago about a Klashnikov designed 410. This particular gas operated slug gun was quite effective on the test day and designed for Sitka deer I believe. I know of several whitetail deer that have been taken by farmers with the 410 slug, but have never attempted it myself. Like NE Hunter said, practice is the main thing. If possible you may wish to consider mounting some sort of electronic or holographic sight to increase your accuracy. Shot placement is really the only limiting factor in your decision. Also you may wish to check the regulations. Is it legal to hunt with a 410 slug in your area? With consistent practice, and patience you should be able to connect. I do not believe the 410 slug will be as comparible in design to a regular hunting bullet, so you should wait for a broadside shot.

If you feel confident and are accurate with it, go ahead. Personally I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 20 gauge.

You have a better chance of wounding the animal than killing it. I would suggest you move up to a 20 gauge before attempting to hunt deer.

TOONS, I'm a 410 freak. I own and shoot several, but only for rabbits, birds and squirrels. I have shot several slugs through mine, and the ballistics aren't bad. The amazing thing is the small amount of drop in the slug at 100yds. If you shoot premium shells, the slug will only drop about 7" at 100yds. Sure seems like it would be more than that.

That said, you are only getting about 600 ft-lbs at 50 yards. That's plenty to kill a deer if the shot is in the right place. I'd hate to hit a 250lb buck square in the shoulder with that little amount of energy. The penetration won't be great...and there's not enough energy for shock.

The 410 will kill deer. I've seen it. However, if you can move up to a 20 or 12ga, I would.

Good luck!

...did I read somewhere that a .410 slug is a 1/5th oz slug? If that's true, then the slug only weighs 87.5 grains..... that's not much. I would feel much more comfortable with the S&B load of 3 000 buckshot in a .410, if that's the case. And I would try to limit my shot to more like 30yds or so.....depending on how the 3 buckshots grouped at that range. I wouldn't want more than about a 4" spread... whatever that range happened to be.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

It's illegal in Ontario. The minimum is 20 gauge.

Dan O.

Its illegal here in Wisconsin, probably for good reason.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms... who's bringing the chips?

I would go with the 20 ga no problem with it .410 would be ifeeeee 2506