.410 Bore | GunMagopedia

In the world of shotguns, it’s common to think only in gauge—12 gauge, 20 gauge—but there’s more to shotguns than big gauges. For example, a .410 Bore is, as its name suggests, not a shotgun gauge but a bore size. It may be smaller than its more commonly-used ammunition family members, but it’s proven itself mighty.

The Company Behind the Cartridge

As with many cartridges with roots spanning centuries, the specifics behind the .410 bore lack certain details. What is known is that its early development took place in the United Kingdom as a “garden gun.” This term refers to guns used commonly by gardeners and farmers for pest control, such as snakes, rabbits, and squirrels. At that time, other popular garden gun cartridges included the .360 NPE and the two bore.

The .410 bore was created by Eley Brothers, a manufacturer in England. The company was founded in the 1820s by William and Charles Eley, a pair of brothers interested in firearms and ammunition. In 1828 they bought the patent for a wire cartridge, which was literally a wire cage designed to hold a shot together when it was first fired. Long story short, the sales of the wire cartridge didn’t go as hoped, and Charles Eley left the company. This left William Eley as the owner of the Eley Brothers, and he refused to give up. Within a few years, an improved version of the wire cartridge began selling well.

In 1841, tragedy struck; William Eley was tragically killed in an explosion. But, thanks to his three sons, the company went on. His oldest, who was also his namesake, built a relationship with Samuel Colt and began working on modernizing shotshell cartridges.

Eley Brothers chose to go public in 1874 to assist in expanding the business. It was supposedly somewhat effective until William Thomas, son of founder William Eley, died in 1881.

A series of events took place over the years, and in the 1920s, Eley Brothers partnered with FN Herstal to purchase a Belgian ammunition firm. Unfortunately, there was a decline in ammunition sales, and Eley had to shutter one of its locations. Eley ended up being purchased by IMI Industries, which lasted until 2014, when they were bought out by a group being backed by Lloyd’s Bank. Today, Eley is still located in England and is perhaps best known for its 22 Long Rifle ammunition.

A brief synopsis can be found on the Eley website:

“ELEY ammunition is proudly manufactured in Great Britain and now resides at our highly technical production and testing facility in Birmingham, West Midlands.

Our team includes internationally recognized specialists with extensive knowledge in internal and external ballistics, powder dynamics, and many Six Sigma qualified engineers.

Innovation and continuous product development separate ELEY from its competitors. ELEY has always been at the forefront of the ammunition industry, pushing technological boundaries, which have resulted in patented new methodologies and techniques.

Our products allow target shooters at Club, World, and Olympic levels to realize their potential and win. We produce technically superior ammunition whilst providing an excellent service to target shooters throughout the world.

Dedication, commitment, and innovation are at the heart of the ELEY philosophy. The result is demonstrated by the countless medal wins, and World Records won with ELEY ammunition.”

History of the .410 Bore

In 1857 the .410 bore made its first appearance in an Eley Brothers flysheet (a small advertising paper). They had both a Lancaster pattern centerfire and pinfire being advertised back then. You’re likely quite familiar with centerfires because they continue to see regular use in firearms today, but pinfire eventually became a thing of the past. Pinfire .410s had small pins sticking out radially at the edge of the base of the cartridge that had to be struck to fire its payload. One of the reasons pinfires fell out of favor among gun owners is because they required the shooter to line up the pin with a slot in the chamber. In addition, if the pin was bumped at all, whether by being dropped or through rough handling while loading, they could and would detonate.

It took a while for the .410 to catch on, but by 1874 the modern centerfire .410 was catching on. There is some published evidence of its popularity in the book The Breach Loader and How to Use It by William Wellington Greener. In his book, Greener referred to the .410 bore as being “suited to the requirements of naturalists, and for such weapons as walking-stick guns.”

Over the years, .410 has remained popular for many things, including use as a way to teach new shooters the ins and outs of shotguns without the greater felt recoil of the 12 gauge. It has also been used for rabbit and bird hunting. However, its popularity as a defensive option rose with the arrival of the Taurus Judge in 2006, and now there are quite a few self-defense loads available for it.

Can You Hunt with .410?

The .410 bore is a great hunting choice for appropriately sized game. When it was a new shotshell in the late 1800s, it was popular among gardeners for dealing with snakes and rabbits thieving in their gardens. Today it still sees use for rabbits but is more often used for birds such as woodcocks, quail, grouse, and others of similar size. Of course, it is used by duck and pheasant hunters as well; it’s just important to work within its capabilities and not attempt to exceed the range at which it delivers an ethical kill.

Sometimes you hear stories of .410 being used on deer, and it is possible to use it for that purpose. As always, precise shot placement matters, meaning that if you are within the correct range and place your shot carefully, .410 can work on deer. It isn’t ideal, though, even with modern, high-velocity slugs. Nevertheless, thee .410 fills a niche, and it is best utilized for those specific tasks.

If you choose to hunt with a .410, or to have your kids learn using one, make sure you familiarize yourself with what it can do firing your chosen ammunition. Pattern it on paper at varying distances and put time into practicing. As a hunter, it is your responsibility to drop the game quickly, meaning you should only hunt a game of a small enough size, at a close enough range, with your .410 bore shotgun.

Can .410 bore be Used for Personal Defense?

Thanks to the Taurus Judge, .410 started getting fans for personal defense use around 2006. Technically, it can be used for self-defense, but it’s vital to choose a load designed for that purpose. A common myth that goes around about using shotguns, or shotshell-chambered pistols, for self-defense, is the idea that birdshot is ideal. In reality, it is not.

The Mag Life writer Travis Pike has covered this topic and has written about this in his article “.410 Revolvers Such and I’ll Tell You Why”: “Like a shotgun, fan patterns are everything for me. These 410 revolvers throw inconsistent and sometimes unpredictable patterns. My model is a 2.5-inch chambered with the standard barrel, and I never know how the shot will pattern, at least with buckshot. The patterns swing left or right, and flyers are frequent. I imagine the rifled barrel doesn’t do wonders for buckshot patterning.”

Pike went on to say, “410 might be a shotshell, but it doesn’t pack the same punch as a 20 or 12-gauge by a lot. The 410 is an anemic cartridge and made even more so from a 410 revolver. Most standard buckshot loads fail to penetrate deep enough to meet FBI standards in ballistic gel. You might be getting three or four pellets, but they aren’t going very deep.”

What is ideal is, frankly, a larger cartridge. That said, even a 22 Long Rifle can stop an immediate threat with precise placement. The .410 can be used for personal defense just as anything can be, but it requires a bit more finesse and luck when you’re facing an immediate, credible threat.

Is it a Shotshell a Cartridge?

An area of confusion when it comes to shotshells is what they are, as in, are they cartridges? Are they hulls? A shotshell like the .410 bore can indeed be called a cartridge. However, unlike a handgun cartridge, there’s no bullet seated in the nose of a shotshell. Instead, its payload is within and can be either shot or slugs.

To be specific, shotshells have hulls. The hull could be compared to the brass case of a handgun cartridge. Hulls are made from brass on rare occasions, but modern shotshells typically have plastic hulls. Paper is seen sometimes, but not nearly as frequently as it was decades ago.

.410 Bore Specifications

Available .410 Bore Loads

The .410 might be small in the shotgun world, but it’s still widely used. As a result, there are numerous loads on the market for purposes from hunting to target practice to defensive use. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list but is instead a tiny sampling of what’s available.

Winchester PDX1 Defender .410 2.5 inch

Features:

• Designed specifically for defensive purposes
• It contains three plated defense disc projectiles
• 12 plated BBs located in shotshell behind discs
• Created for massive energy transfer into the target
• Made for optimal penetration
• According to the manufacturer, designed for close-range self-defense use
• From Winchester: “Highly effective in both 410 compatible handguns and shotguns, the 410-gauge PDX1 Defender ammunition features a distinctive black hull and black oxide high-base head; it combines four plated Defense Disc projectiles, and 16 pellets of plated BB shot. The result is the ideal personal defense load for short-range engagement with the performance needed to stop threats.”
• Muzzle energy: 750 feet per second

Federal Premium Personal Defense .410 bore Handgun 2.5 inch

Features:

• Delivers reliable home and personal defense patterns
• High-energy transfer upon impact
• Uniquely designed brass heads ensure smooth extraction
• Shot size: 4
• Length: 2.5 inches
• Shot Charge Ounce: 7/16 ounce
• Payload Pellets: 59.0
• Density: 11 g/cc
• Specially designed for effective use and terminal performance in handguns
• Custom hull design created by Federal Premium
• Type: Copper Plated Lead
• From Federal Premium: “The .410 handgun has emerged as a popular option for self-defense, and Federal Premium offers a variety of loads for these specialized firearms. A customized hull design, optimal brass thickness, and fine-tuned payloads make these perfect for .410 handguns.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 950 feet per second

Fiocchi Exacta .410 Bore Target 2.5 inch ½ ounce

Features:

• Designed for competition use
• Also a fantastic performer on targets outside competition
• Boxer primer
• Length: 2.5 inches
• Shot Type: Lead
• Shot Weight: ½ ounce
• Shot Size: Available in 7 ½, 8, and 9
• From Fiocchi: “Fiocchi Exact Target ammunition is Fiocchi’s premium target shotshell load. This ammunition delivers excellent performance by utilizing the best available components and loaded to strict tolerances. Many competitive shooters have used Exacta Target loads to win medals at several Olympics and American, European, and World Championships. This ammunition is new production and non-corrosive.
• Muzzle Velocity: Average of 1200 feet per second (specific load dependent)

Fiocchi High Velocity .410 Bore 3.0 inch 11/16 ounce

Features:

• Created for improved velocity using a 3.0-inch shotshell
• Designed for general target use
• Length: 3.0 inches
• Shot Type: Nickel-Plated Lead
• Shot Weight: 11/16 ounce
• Shot Size: Available in 6, 7.5, 8, 9
• From Sportsman’s Guide: “The definition of “bang for the buck.” Features high-brass cases, pre-fractured wads that maintain a reliable pattern, and some of the best powders available.”
• Muzzle Velocity: Average of 1140 feet per second (specific load dependent)

Remington Express Extra Long Range .410 Bore 2.5 inches ½ ounce

Features:

• Created by Remington for superior long-range performance
• Designed for use hunting upland birds
• Length: 2.5 inches
• Shot Type: Lead
• Shot Charge Ounce: ½ ounce
• Density: 11 g/cc
• Shot Size: 4
• From Remington:”Simply, the best-balanced, tightest-patterning upland field loads available. Now in a bold new look and the same premium performance, decades of shooters have come to know and trust. The time-proven excellence of Express XLR Extra Long-Range line now with five brand new loadings – 12 gauge to 410 bore – and shot sizes ranging from #2 all the way down to #7 1/2 for everything from pheasant and quail to rabbits and squirrels.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 1250 feet per second

Remington Slugger Rifled Slug .410 Bore 2.5 inch 1/5 ounce

Features:

• Designed for hunting appropriately sized game and varmints
• Rifled for superior accuracy
• Slug Style: Rifled Slug
• Type: Lead
• Shot Charge Ounce: 1/5 ounce
• Shotshell Length: 2.5 inches
• Ballistic Coefficient: 0.064
• From Optics Planet regarding this ammunition: “The Remington Slugger line of Rifled Slugs pack quite a punch, and that is exactly what you need for deer hunting in slug-only states. Why should you settle for less-than-premium quality and performance if you don’t have to? These slugs have been redesigned to achieve 25 percent greater accuracy with a 25 percent flatter trajectory than standard 12-gauge slugs. If you are looking for a highly-effective rifled slug that achieves unmatched accuracy, look no further than the Remington Slugger line of Rifled Slugs. These slugs achieve a muzzle velocity of 1760 feet per second and are also available in a reduced-recoil variation.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 1830 feet per second

Remington Ultimate Defense .410 Bore 3.0 inch 000 Buck

Features:

• Created for personal defense applications
• 000 Buck used for ideal performance through a .410 Bore
• Length: 3.0 inches
• Shot Type: Lead
• Shot Size: 000 Buck
• Number of Pellets: 5
• Crimp: Roll
• Buffered: No
• Primer: Boxer
• Corrosive: No
• Density: 11 g/cc
• From Remington: “Remington HD Ultimate Home Defense .410 Bore 3″ 000 Buckshot 5 Pellets 15/Box delivers devastating patterns and massive firepower. This ammo offers close-range assurance and provides one-shot confidence when the stakes are high. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, boxer primed, and reloadable.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 1125 feet per second

Hornady Critical Defense .410 Bore Triple Defense

Features:

• Designed with personal defense performance in mind
• Dependable, consistent penetration
• Hornady’s Flex Tip technology using their uniquely made FTX Slug delivers reliable expansion, which in turn delivers enhanced terminal performance.
• Critical Defense 410 was created by the company’s engineers to provide the best possible performance in defensive and personal protection scenarios.
• According to the manufacturer, it delivers an effective shot pattern placing all projectiles on a man-sized target at a range of seven yards.
• This Critical Defense load features the company’s specially designed Triple Defense projectile column for enhanced defensive performance.
• Round balls contained in the shotshell are made from high antimony, cold-swaged lead in resisting deformation and delivering consistent, dependable penetration.
• Length: 2.5 inches
• Shot Size: 35 caliber
• Shot Type: Antimony, cold-swaged lead
• Application: Personal defense
• From Hornady: “Delivering effective shot patterns that place all projectiles on a man-sized target at seven yards, the Critical Defense 410 features a unique Triple Defense projectile column consisting of two 35 caliber round balls topped with one non-jacketed FTX slug.” “Unique to the Critical Defense 410, the 41 caliber FTX slug actually engages the gun’s rifling and contacts the target nose-on, enabling the patented Hornady Flex Tip technology to assist in expansion for greatly enhanced terminal performance. Each 35 caliber round ball is made of high antimony, cold swaged lead to resist deformation and provide excellent penetration.” “Critical Defense 410 Triple Defense – you be the JUDGE!”
• Muzzle Velocity: 750 feet per second

Federal Premium .410 Bore 3.0-inch Heavyweight TSS Turkey Load

Features:

• Made for turkey hunting
• Features Federal’s proven TSS load
• Length: 3.0 inch
• Shot Weight 13/16 ounce
• Payload Pellets: 294
• Density 18 g/cc
• Created with advanced buffering material for superior overall performance on wild turkeys
• Incredibly high pellet count
• Designed using 22 percent denser material than the standard tungsten load
• Full-length wads help protect the shotgun bore
• Crimp: Roll
• From Rogers Sporting Goods regarding this Federal load:
• “Kill gobblers at longer distances than ever before with HEAVYWEIGHT TSS. Its payloads of HEAVYWEIGHT Tungsten Super Shot provide the highest pellet counts possible. The tungsten-alloy material’s 18 gm/cc density is 22 percent higher than standard tungsten and 56 percent more than lead. The result is the most energy and highest velocities at extreme range.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 1100 feet per second

Browning .410 Bore 3.0 inch TSS Tungsten Turkey Load

Features:

• Created for hunting wild turkeys
• Features Browning’s TSS Tungsten
• Length: 3.0 inch
• Shot Size: 9
• Shot Charge Ounce: 13/16 ounce
• Density: Approximately 18 g/cc
• From Browning:
• “TSS Tungsten Turkey gives hunters a new edge in the field. Loaded with the densest shot available (60 percent denser than lead) and offered in duplex payloads, turkeys out to 70 yards don’t stand a chance.”
• From Rogers Sporting Good regarding this Browning load:
• “Browning TSS Tungsten Turkey The word is out among turkey hunters that Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is one fine ingredient in a shotgun shell. Browning Ammunition launches TSS Tungsten Turkey in 2019, bringing one of the most solid-performing turkey loads to millions of hunters across North America. By volume, tungsten is denser than lead, which results in the ability to load a greater number of pellets into each shell. More pellets mean greater pattern density and improved downrange performance.”
• “Traditional lead pellets have a density of approximately 11 g/cm³ compared to Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) at 18 g/cm³. That means that TSS is approximately 60% more dense than lead. Therefore, a TSS #9 pellet is equivalent to a #5 lead pellet to simplify matters. That allows for TWICE the number of pellets while maintaining the energy and lethality of each of those pellets.”
• Muzzle Velocity: 1100 feet per second

Handguns Made in .410 bore

Yes, the Taurus Judge is the most famous .410 bore handgun on the market, but others are available. This is not an exhaustive list, but it should get you started.

• Bond Arms Snake Slayer
• Taurus Judge
• Taurus Judge Public Defender
• Taurus Raging Judge
• Smith and Wesson Governor
• Magnum Research BFR (Big Frame Revolver)

Available .410 Bore Long Guns

The selection of long guns chambered in .410 is far larger than the handgun market. Options include, but are not limited to, the following manufacturers:

• Mossberg
• Stevens
• Browning
• Savage
• Rossi
• CVA
• Stoeger
• Legacy Sports International
• Beretta
• TriStar
• Franchi
• Rizzini
• CZ USA
• Henry Repeating Arms
• Charles Daly
• ATI
• TR Imports
• Remington
• Crickett
• Hatfield
• Marlin

Taurus Judge Series

The line of Taurus Judge revolvers has been on the market for well over ten years, and in that time, it has experienced varying levels of popularity. The Judge will likely always be favored by some for hunting or personal defense and be a fun toy for others. At the time of this writing, there are five models and three barrel lengths being manufactured in the series. To give you an idea of their features, here is a selection of models from Taurus:

Taurus Judge 45 Colt/.410 Stainless Steel 3.00 inch

Features:

• Chambered in 45 Colt and .410 Bore
• Stainless steel frame
• Rubberized grip with finger grooves
• Designed for durability
• The overall weight helps mitigate felt recoil
• Extended ejector rod
• Created by Taurus for personal defense use or target practice
• From Taurus: “More than a decade since it was first introduced, the legendary Taurus Judge still rules. Today, it’s available in more than a dozen models. Capable of chambering both 45 Colt and 410 shotshells, it’s the original five-shot game-changer.”

Raging Judge 513 Matte Stainless 6.50 inches

Features:

• Chambered in 45 Colt/.410/454 Casull
• Matte finish to reduce glare
• Dual lockup cylinder
• Extended ejector rod
• Heavy-duty, durable frame
• It can be used for hunting or personal defense
• Designed with weight to offset felt recoil and improve accuracy
• From Taurus: “Packing a giant 6-round cylinder, the Taurus Raging Judge shoots the 454 Casull round and delivers the same popular ammo combo of 45 Colt and 410 shotshell from the original Judge models. Along with added capacity, the Raging Judge features the famous red Raging Bull backstrap for added cushioning.”

.410 Bore Derringer

There is at least one Derringer chambered in .410. It’s made by Bond Arms, a manufacturer located in Granbury, Texas. The company produces high-end derringers with interchangeable barrels, so it is possible to put a .410 barrel on a number of models. Perhaps the Snake Slayer is the best-known Derringer in their line in this chambering.

Bond Arms Snake Slayer

Features:

• Designed with a double-barrel made from stainless steel
• Made to be compatible with Bond Arms barrels
• Stainless steel barrel and frame help offset some felt recoil
• Created for incredible durability and hard use
• Good for small pests such as snakes and rabbits
• It can be carried in a holster for defensive use
• Spent casing extractor
• Fires one round at a time, per trigger pull
• The rebounding hammer is the company’s patented design
• Retracting firing pins
• Cross-bolt safety is easy to operate
• Spring-loaded, cammed locking lever
• From Bond Arms: “Our most popular model is the perfect protection for hikers, campers, fishermen, and others that enjoy the great outdoors. Its chambered to fire both .357 Mag and .38 Special rounds, (also available in .45 Colt / .410).”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .410 a good hunting round?

.410 can be used to hunt a variety of birds such as woodcock and quail. It is also often used for larger birds like pheasants. Some hunters suggest it for wild turkeys and deer, but its strengths lie more in taking of more minor game.

Can .410 be used for self-defense?

It is possible to use .410 for personal defense, although it isn’t necessarily ideal. If you intend to use your .410 to defend yourself, use defensive loads designed for the purpose and practice enough to familiarize yourself with what it can and cannot do.

What is the overall length of .410?

.410 is made in 2.0 inches, 2.5 inches, and 3.0 inches.

Who created .410 bore?

Eley Brothers.

What is .410 good for?

Originally, .410 was designed for use as a garden gun chambering for gardeners trying to keep pests away. Eventually, it evolved to be used for bird hunting and some self-defense applications. Today it is often used to train new shotgun shooters due to its softer recoil when compared to other shotguns. It also sees use among bird hunters and gun owners using shotguns for self-defense, usually in their homes.

What gauge is a .410 bore?

Technically, the .410 designation is a bore, not a gauge. Unlike other shotguns like the 12 gauge and 20 gauge, its measurement is made in inches. Its bore diameter is .410 inches. For comparison, a 12 gauge has a bore diameter of .725 inches.

Is 28 gauge the same as .410?

No, it is not. The 28 gauge is larger than the .410. It has a bore diameter of .545 inches.

Is .410 a 36 gauge?

To be precise, they are not exactly the same. The .410 bore and 36 gauge were designed about the same time, with the 36 gauge having been created first, and the .410 is slightly larger.

Are there .410 handguns?

Yes, there are handguns being made in .410, mostly revolvers and derringers.