1950kid I wouldn't use a .410 for deer simply because I don't own one. A friend of my fathers killed several 100 deer with a 410 though, he swore it was as close to a rifle as you could get. If you look at the wieght of a 410 slug and the diameter it is more than big enough to kill a deer easily at 40 yards or less.

The Tazman

I will agree most any gun will harvest a deer if the hunter knows its limit.
I would be afraid some hunters would go beyond that limit with a 410.

buckhunter I agree with you totally, I have seen a number of post here about folks taking 60 yard shots with buck shot!

The Tazman

I guess I'm just going on the fact that my .410 was a "starter gun." I understand that the velocity is about the same and I guess that at close range, there might be enough to get it done. As long as it doesn't result in too many lost deer, I guess I wouldn't have a problem with it. It still sounds too small to me, but there are many people that don't approve of my .243.

It is on the small size but if you know your limits and take good shots you shouild be ablwe to harvest the animal. The hunters who take the questionable shots are the ones that are going to wound deer and that happens to anyone who makes those kinds of shots.

I have recently been wondering about that very question.
.410 (It’s a caliber not a gauge, but that’s not really important) are legal here in Ohio.
My son is interested in hunting with me next year, and I’ve been wondering if a .410 is enough gun? How does it compare to a .357 ? I know several people that have taken deer with that. Right now I’m leaning toward letting come along a couple of times next year. But, I will require him to be able to safely and accurately handle a 20 gauge slug gun before allowing him to hunt. I would be very interested in hearing others opinions, and experience with this.

Are there ballistics information about a .410 with slugs? That ought to decide the matter.

Seems to me that a 410 slug at 40 yards would serve better on deer than those puny .22 cal centerfires.

i agree ,,, .20 gauge or bigger, but a slug will knock a deer down at close range, but .410 more of a small game shot gun,

I was considering a 410 for my wife last fall. It fits her well. She didn't go last year because we were late in getting a doe tag. In my opinion if a 410 is used like a bow where the shot is close and the deer is walking and not running, you would think a 410 would do the job.
Opinions on this?.........