All About .410
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over the
.410, a notable shotgun round. The round has been employed by shooters for generations and utilized for various utilitarian tasks such as hunting and pest control. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the shotshell while also delving into traits, features, and other aspects of the
.410. Without further ado, let’s talk
.410 shotshells.
What is .410?
The
.410 shotgun shell originates from the United Kingdom and was introduced in 1874 by the Eley Brothers. Like other shotshells, the
.410 features a straight rimmed case which holds the loading’s shot. The
.410 is noticeably narrower and slimmer than shotgun staples such as the
12 gauge and
20 gauge, giving it a distinct appearance. Due to its small size, the
.410 shotshell holds a smaller payload and yields a tamer recoil impulse than its larger counterparts. The relatively light recoil of the
.410 makes it a good shotgun round for first time shooters to become acquainted with as it will not punish them in the same way a
12 gauge would. This is particularly true for younger shooters and those with smaller statures. Like other shotgun rounds, the
.410 can be found in birdshot, buckshot,
slug, and other common types of shotgun loadings.
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Is it .410 Gauge?
Unlike other shotgun calibers, the
.410 is not a gauge. The term “gauge” applies to other shotgun calibers such as
12 gauge,
20 gauge, and
28 gauge to name a few. When referring to
.410, it is most correct to simply call it “
.410,”
.410 shotshell,” or “
.410 bore.” The last option is most appropriate when referring to firearms designed to accept and shoot
.410 ammo. While some people incorrectly refer to
.410 as a gauge, most people understand what they mean as there is not another
.410 to get mixed up with.
Historical Use in Survival Arms
The
.410 has historically been utilized by survivalists. Specifically, the United States military has employed a number of survival rifles which have utilized
.410 shotgun shells and .22 rimfire calibers. Notable examples of these firearms are the Savage Model 24 and the Springfield Armory M6 Scout rifle. The Savage Model 24 featured an over-and-under double barrel design with a
.22 Long Rifle barrel above a
.410 bore barrel. 15,000 Model 24s were issued to Army Air Corps bomber crews during World War Two as part of air crew survival kits. Similarly, the .22 Hornet/
.410 chambered Springfield Armory M6 Scout started being issued to United States Air Force pilots during the Korean War. These firearms were meant to aid pilots in the event they were shot down with regard to food procurement and other survival needs. These survival rifles and others inspired by them were available in commercial form as well, providing the market with compact and efficient survival-oriented firearms.
How Available is .410 Ammunition?
At this point in the market
.410 shotgun ammunition is readily available. While not as plentiful as loadings for other shotgun chamberings, the
.410 can still be found in a variety of forms from notable manufacturers. The
.410 shotshell is supported by loadings from a variety of companies such as
Rio,
Federal,
Nobel Sport,
Winchester, and
Remington to name a few. As mentioned earlier,
.410 shotshells are commonly available in either 2 1/2” or 3” loadings. General purpose loadings and specialized loadings alike can be acquired in the form of
.410 shotshells. These loadings cover a variety of popular use cases such as hunting, general purpose plinking, target use, and even defensive use. At the end of the day, even though it is less plentiful than some of the other shotgun loadings, one will be able to find
.410 ammo if they are after it.
How Available are Firearms in .410?
Firearms chambered in
.410 are not nearly as prevalent as their
12 gauge and
20 gauge counterparts. That being said, there are still a number of modern
.410 shotgun offerings from companies such as Browning, Henry, Beretta, and Mossberg to name a few. Beyond modern production offerings, one will also be able to find old production and vintage
.410 shotgun offerings. These offerings include single shot, double barrel, and pump action shotguns. Simply put, one will still be able to find
.410 shotguns if they want to acquire one.
Is .410 Good for Hunting?
Hunters have employed
.410 loadings for hunting applications for as long as the caliber has been around. The
.410 has proven to be suitable for effectively and humanely dispatching smaller sized game. Specifically, the
.410 is appropriate for game such as squirrel, turkey, and even deer at some distances and with the right loadings. The
.410 also boasts a long-standing history as an effective pest control round. Many farmers have utilized the
.410 since its inception as a garden gun, or as a means to dispatch varmints and pests on their land. The relatively light recoil and effectiveness of the round in terms of dispatching small game makes it a solid choice for young or inexperienced hunters. The round is not just for new shooters however, a skilled hunter can effectively employ
.410 shotshells on a hunt when hunting the appropriate game. Simply put, the
.410 is appropriate for dispatching pests and a variety of small game.
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Is .410 Good for Self-Defense?
When compared to other shotgun calibers and loadings such as the venerable
12 gauge, the
.410 is ultimately inferior. While a
.410 shotshell is not harmless or ineffective by any means, there are simply better, more optimal choices for self-defense use. While the
.410 features relatively light recoil when compared to other shotgun loadings, it has a considerably smaller payload than larger shotgun loadings. For example, standard 2 1/2"
.410 buckshot loadings can hold three to four pellets while most
12 gauge buckshot loadings feature at least nine pellets.
Conclusion
All in all, the
.410 shotshell continues to stand the test of time and see support among shooters today. The shotshell is utilized by shooters of all types for a variety of purposes. From small game hunters, young shooters, and recreational shooters, the
.410 continues to be employed. We here at True Shot Ammo carry
.410 shotshells in addition to the wide variety of
ammo we stock. Whether you are after
shotgun ammunition or something else we carry, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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