The 410 shotgun is the smallest shotgun gauge used for hunting, but in the right hands it is an effective tool for harvesting small game. The question that always arises is, just how far will the 410 shotgun shoot?
The 410 shotgun has a max effective range of 30 yards with birdshot. It is limited to hunting small game such as woodcock, rabbits, doves, and squirrels. Beyond 30 yards, the 410 shotgun loses most of the ballistics needed for a clean harvest. So, stick to close shots within 30 yards or consider using a larger gauge shotgun.
In this guide, we’ll discuss in more detail just how far a 410 shotgun will shoot, the ballistics behind popular 410 hunting shotshells, and ways to increase the range with the 410 bore.
410 Shotgun Ballistics
The ballistics of the 410 shotshell are nothing impressive compared to its larger gauged counterparts. However, this small shotgun does serve a purpose for new hunters and those that are looking to push it to the max. It is effective for bird hunting to around 30 yards and deer hunting out to 40 with the right choke tubes.
Below is a list of popular 410 shotshells and their effective max ranges for small game. The big assumption at max range is that an effective pattern still exists, which is not always the case. The comfortable range is 10-20% below the max ballistic range for most hunting conditions.
410 Range with Popular Ammo
- Winchester Super X – ½ oz, #7.5, 1245 FPS – 39 YARDS
- Winchester AA – ½ oz, #9, 1200 FPS – 28 YARDS
- Monarch Standard – ½ oz, #9, 1200 FPS – 28 YARDS
- Federal HW – 13/16 oz, #9, 1200 FPS – 59 YARDS
How far does a 410 shotgun shoot?
The 410 shotgun is effective up to 40 yards with slugs and heavier than lead shot such as Federal Heavyweight and TSS. When the 410 is used with small lead shot, its range is significantly less. When using a 410 shotgun, hunters should expect to shoot at targets within a shorter range than with larger gauge shotguns.
Dove and Quail
For dove hunting, the 410 is usually paired with lead #7.5 shot. This load can maintain adequate energy to penetrate a dove out to 39 yards, however, most patterning results show the pellet density is lacking at that range. Keeping shots inside 25-30 yards is the best practice.
Pheasants and Turkey
Larger upland game birds need greater pellet penetration to harvest cleanly, so increasing pellet size, switching to a tighter choke, or switching to heavier than lead ammo is the top priority. Heavyweight and TSS shot can make the 410 shotgun effective at up to 40 yards for turkey hunting.
Squirrel
The best use for the 410 shotgun is its performance when hunting squirrels. It’s small payload and slower speed is perfect for hunting in wooded cover where shots inside 20 yards are the norm. It also reduces the chances of ruining meat that larger gauges sometimes result in. The other benefit is that 410 shotguns are lighter, so covering more ground on a squirrel hunt will be that much easier.
Deer
Rifled slugs are popular for deer hunters using 410 shotguns, and the Federal Super X Slug traveling 1830 FPS is the top choice. This load shows that it can maintain up to 5-inches of penetration at 53 yards. Expectations should be tapered slightly however, since this slug is only 1/5 oz and requires key shot placement to be effective.
SUMMARY
When hunting with the 410 shotgun, stick to small game within 30 yards. For deer, the 410 excels with slugs and sabots at over 40 yards.
What is the 410 shotgun good for?
The 410 shotgun is a specialty firearm designed as an introductory youth platform with low recoil on a lightweight frame. While its best function is a starter gun, it does have a following for those hunters that like to push the limits, both ballistically and functionally.
The 410 is best used for hunting dove, quail, squirrels, rabbits, and woodcock at close to medium ranges. Due to the low capacity available inside a 410 shotshell hull, the payload is significantly less than other gauges. Popular 410 ammo for upland game only have half an ounce of shot.
With the introduction of TSS and heavier than lead pellets such as Heavyweight, the 410 shotgun has become a viable option for turkey hunting due to the increased downrange energy and penetration these pellets provide. #8 and #9 TSS are capable turkey hunting pellet sizes out of the 410 to 40 yards.
410 Shotgun Chokes
Several aftermarket choke tubes are available for the 410 shotgun, with most geared toward turkey hunting like the Patternmaster Code Black and JEBS Head Hunter. With the gaining popularity of TSS shot, Carlson’s and Primos have both developed a 410 TSS choke of their own.
Patternmaster Code Black Turkey 410 Choke
One of the best 410 chokes for turkey is Patternmaster’s Code Black. This tight choke features Separating Ring Technology which helps control the wad and pellet separation for more uniform patterns downrange. All Code Black chokes are ported to help reduce recoil and muzzle jump.
Carlson’s TSS 410 Choke Tube
Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) is the densest shot that is available for turkey hunting. It weighs in at 18 g/cc. Lead is around 11 g/cc and steel is 7.8 g/cc for comparison. Carlson’s has developed the TSS Turkey Choke for turkey hunters who want to take advantage of best ammo on the market.
JEBS Head Hunter 410 Choke Tube
JEBS Head Hunter choke feature a “multi-staged” interior bore design that aids in wad and shot column separation. This controlled separation helps reduce the chance of wad disruption outside the barrel, resulting in better patterns and more uniform results.
Primos TSS 410 Turkey Choke
The Primos TSS Choke’s sole purpose is to deliver tight patterns at long ranges for ultra-dense Tungsten Super Shot. It features an extended taper and fluted ports to increase patterns by up to 20% and reduce felt recoil making follow up shots easier.
Can you use a 410 for deer hunting?
The 410 shotgun is used for deer hunting, but its effectiveness is severely limited compared to 20 and 12 gauge shotguns. The sabot weight that a 410 uses is very small in comparison, with most only being 1/5 an ounce. However, the 410 pushes this lightweight slug close to 2000 FPS, making it effective on deer up to 40 yards.
As you can imagine, a slug this small lacks the knock down power and penetration of larger gauged shotguns, so shot placement is key on deer. Shots should not exceed 40 yards and wind drift should be taken into consideration on windy days as well. Shot drop is also a concern, which makes practicing shooting at the longer distances important.
Hunting deer with the 410 shotgun requires skill and patience. To effectively use a 410, shooters must be skilled at getting closer to their target without being detected. Hunters should expect to shoot at targets within a shorter range than with larger gauge shotguns. Knowing the ballistic limits of the ammo you’re shooting is key to knowing the max effective range.
Bottom Line: The 410 Shotgun is Effective to 30 Yards
The 410 shotgun is most popular for hunting small game, such as woodcock, rabbits, doves, and squirrels, but only under ideal conditions and at ranges of about 30 yards. Beyond this range, the 410 shotgun loses much of its ballistics, making it less effective for a clean harvest.
Hunters looking to increase their range with the 410 should choose a tighter choke tube, switch to heavier than lead shot such as TSS, and practice shooting the loads they plan to hunt with at extended ranges.
To ensure a successful hunt, stick to close shots within effective distances or consider using a larger gauge shotgun that can handle longer ranges. While the 410 shotgun is a useful tool in certain hunting situations, it’s important to understand its limitations and use it appropriately.
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