I got a Rossi 410 to go with my more politically correct guns. If and when the day comes, they may let us keep guns like this. NOT!
I got some 3" slug loads with it. They're the 1/4 oz/ 109 grain slugs at 1800 fps, for an ME of a little less than 800 ft/ lbs.
Has anyone had occasion to use these slugs against anything besides paper or drink cans? Are they good for anything larger than a 'possum or racoon? Input, please. Thx.
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I feel more like I do now than I did awhile ago.
I don't have any personal experience, but I would have to assume that they would be good for more than possum and coons. I would think that it would reasonably take down a deer given you do your part.
I have read several accounts of .410 slugs being used for deer at appropriate ranges (perhaps 50 yards and closer).
HOWEVER, .410 slugs are relatively fast and light weight. Being non-jacketed on top of these things, it is very prone to fragmentation, so penetration suffers quite a bit:
.410 lead slug ammo. It would be somewhat akin to a large bore revolver cartridge in power. This was before anyone had a .44 mag or .41 mag. You should be able to find some current ballistic info on this ammo.
In south Texas farming country near the Brazos River it was good for possums, skunks, stray dogs, stray cats, and armadillios. It would have been good for a human intruder.
Note this country is really wooded so long range was not a consideration.
These animals were encountered at ranges of perhaps not more than 20 yards at that time.
I have shot up a lot of them, and depending on the choke of your gun (I think modified might do slightly better) you should be at least Archery range capable. I haven't ever used them on game, but I imagine something less than 100 lbs would be dinner.
I have been looking at a Rossi Matched Pair as a camp/survival gun, and the hardest choice I am having is the .410 or 20 ga barrel...
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I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing.
I have shot up a lot of them, and depending on the choke of your gun (I think modified might do slightly better) you should be at least Archery range capable. I haven't ever used them on game, but I imagine something less than 100 lbs would be dinner.
I have been looking at a Rossi Matched Pair as a camp/survival gun, and the hardest choice I am having is the .410 or 20 ga barrel...
My gun has a modified (fixed) choke, so you must be right.
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I feel more like I do now than I did awhile ago.
8 years ago it was legal in Michigan (not sure now cause I live in Georgia). I have killed (all dropped with 20 yards from where they were shot) numerous deer with a .410. Largest was a 210 lb (Field dressed) 8 point buck at 80 yards from my stand.
But as said, you need to check regs, Here in GA. can't use them for deer. Doesn't make sense, can use a 22 mag center fire but not a .410?
I keep a few slug shells in the buttstock of my Snake Charmer,it has a full choke 18 1/4" barrel ,at close to 20yds shot one of my old cars in the rear fender and it penitrated the fender rolled around in the trunk and I found it under the spare tire.It was a blob of lead but did not fragment and seemed to be all there only deformed and was a remington factory slug load.I see no reason it would not drop a deer at moderate range or work for a defensive load.
I'm wondering why you couldn't use the .410 brass shells and simply fit a .452" 250gr SWC and load them with Trail Boss...as long as you kept the pressure comparable to a .410 shotshell or the .45 Colt's SAAMI level.
Is this possible?
__________________ The goal of our founding fathers was freedom. The goal of our current politicians is control.
I have shot up a lot of them, and depending on the choke of your gun (I think modified might do slightly better) you should be at least Archery range capable. I haven't ever used them on game, but I imagine something less than 100 lbs would be dinner.
I have been looking at a Rossi Matched Pair as a camp/survival gun, and the hardest choice I am having is the .410 or 20 ga barrel...
I got the 20 and it kicks more than my 12. Real light stock. My grand-daughter will shoot my 12 w/ 3in shells but not the 20 w 2 3/4 in. The 12 is a winch, 1300 pump.Just my 2 cents worth. Before taxes ....
Killed my first whitetail when I was eight years old with a 410 bolt action and a 2 1/2" slug at about 25 yards. Dad had cut the stock down on it to fit me. I will try to find a photo of the deer and me in one of the old albums. I looked like "Leave it to Beaver" lol. I shot a wild dog one time with my nephew's and it did a fine job that day too. I always took a knife and cut an "X" across the top of them to help expansion. That was a trick dad taught me when I was little. I used to load "minnie balls" upside down in my Hawken rifles with the hollow base up when I black powdered hunted. That worked real well for close range work also!
410 slugs- usefull? 
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