RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

My son started with a 410 at the age of 11. He never killed a deer with it, lots of rabbits though, but it was enough to get him into hunting. This year (age 13) i got him a 20 gauge. He is a big kid 5'9 1501bs so he is strong enough to handle it. It paid off too, he nailed a huge buck this year. I posted this under "Dad couldnt be prouder" a few weeks back. I have seen folks drop a deer with the 410, but i agree that you gotta know the limits of the gun and use it wisely. I think allowing the 410 allows younger folks to get into hunting early. My sons 410 was a single shot, pull the hammer back, old england style. I dont think it was the acutal gun that made him happy it was the chance to be out in the woods with dad, carrying a weapon like dad does. So in that regard i am all for it. Lets the younger folks be a part of the hunting family.

The outdoors is yours, treat it with RESPECT!!!

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

Just did a quick search on 410 ballistics on the web. Although it certainly isn't an elephant gun it packs as much or more energy than many pistols and people hunt deer with pistols all the time. If a state declares it legal then at least some thought has gone into it. (I know, I know, the state isn't always right, but I seriously doubt they want wounded and suffering animals lying around). I wouldn't use a shotgun for deer unless the law demanded it anyway.

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

nny I did the same thing and came to the same conclusion, a 410 slug has more than enough power to take out a deer as long as it is used under 40 yards. Of course that is just my opinion. I have been told they are far more accurate than a 12 gauge smoothbore slug, though they have far less knockdown power.

The Tazman

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

It ins't legal in Delaware either, but I have heard that it is awesome. I have a box of slugs for my .410 I want to try it for target shooting just to see what its range of accuracy. I got mine for Christmas l952. it has got a lot of rabbits and squirrels but never a deer. I was once told you could put a 30-30 round in one adn shoot it, that is going to have to be proven by someone else.

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

Yeah, that sounds a little too small, I have been thinking about using a shotgun and slugs in Pennsylvania for next year. If I do, I will be using my 12 gauge Remington 870 Express Magnum with 3" Mag slugs.

Good Luck This Season: Buck Magnet
P.S. Only Chuck Adams can sit at home and see deer so get into the woods. =;^)

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RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

I think .410 shotgun shells, and .45 bullets,
are the same size.

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

yeah, 1950kid. But I think that is Colt 45 longs. I don't realy know what the difference is and I'm not up on handguns at all. I once had a little derringer double barrel side by side that shot both of those rounds. It was real cheep and one of the few handguns I've had.

RE: .410 for deer in Indiana
 

A .410 is adequate to kill a deer at short ranges and it is a great gun to introduce young hunters to the woods with. The felt recoil from a .410 is significantly less than a .20 gauge and I'd rather have a youngster accurately shooting a .410 verses being too scared of a larger gauge shotgun. As soon as my son was able I moved him up to a .20 gauge pump and now that he is 12 yrs old he uses a sweet shooting 12 gauge semi auto, remington model 58.
RonM, years ago when I wasn't as smart as I am now I used to take .32 longs and wrap a little tape around them for a better fit in the breach and fire those thru my .410 single shot. Not to smart but what the heck, I had to see if it would work.