The .410: More Than a Bore

Among your shotgun “collection” you probably have some 12-gauges, a 20-gauge or two, perhaps a 28-gauge and, if you don’t have one already, may be considering a slim-and-sleek .410.

The .410 bore is a relative latecomer in shotgun sizes, first becoming popular in the early 1900s. It was developed in the late 19th Century, possibly evolving from the French and English “cane guns” or from converted rifles of similar bore diameters. 

Remington engineered “cane guns” in the 1850s, but those were percussion guns chambered for .31-caliber shells and .22 and .32 rimfires, not shotshells. In 1857 the Eley Brothers company, in London, first advertised the .410 bore in both pinfire and a Lancaster centerfire pattern. But due to difficulties with lining up and loading the pinfire, the centerfire prevailed. It was actually English gunmaker W.W. Greener who developed the single-shot smoothbore “walking stick” chambered for 2" .410 shotshells.

There are differences of opinion as to what the .410 actually should be called, but the best explanation of the designation is that it is a bore. Although many shotgunners refer to the smallbore scattergun as a “410 gauge,” that isn’t correct. Whereas other shotguns are designated by gauge—a definition of bore size based on the number of same-diameter lead balls that it takes to equal one pound (e.g., 12 lead balls the diameter of a 12-bore would weigh one pound)—the .410 gets its designation by the actual measured diameter of the bore: .410". In essence, the .410 is more like a caliber. (By the way, the .410 is equivalent to a 67 gauge.) 

Often referred to as “Garden Guns,” early .410 shotguns were used by gamekeepers to get rid of stoats, weasels and other vermin. Their light weight, small loads, reduced recoil and relatively reasonable price combined to make .410s efficient and popular. 

The .410 single-barrel and folding shotguns with 2½" to 3" loads were used in pheasant pens to control rats—as using full-length 20-, 16- or 12-gauge guns would have been like using sledgehammers to break walnuts.

All these attributes made—and still make—a strong case for the .410 as a starter shotgun for youths to learn safe gun handling and to develop their skills on moving targets. Because of the narrower shot patterns, it does take practice for young shooters (or any shooters, for that matter) to be “on it.” But if they are shooting within the 20- to 30-yard range that is optimum for the .410, they can enjoy great success. 

Whether a double- or single-barrel, the relatively light weight and low recoil make the .410 an excellent shotgun for pursuing upland birds where lots of carrying and little shooting is the norm. Preserve quail, chukar and even pheasant can be cleanly taken within that 20- to 30-yard range. Hunting wild birds with a .410 demands quick reflexes and lots of practice, as birds can fly out of range quickly.

Not surprisingly, the .410 has also become a popular clay-target gun, proving itself on both skeet and trap fields and even sporting clays courses. Acknowledging the increasing interest in the .410, some clubs have even created small-gauge sporting courses.

For versatility, the average .410 barrel length is 28 inches, although many shooters will choose 30-inch barrels with raised ribs for clay-target shooting. Another choice is between a side-by-side and over/under. The over/under, with its single sighting plane, is the preferred choice for clay-target shooters, but there are still many side-by-side fans who enjoy the lighter weight and lower recoil of the .410 for upland hunting.

The size of the .410 cartridge at 2½" to 3" limits the number of pellets in an average load to ⁷⁄₁₆ to ¹¹⁄₁₆ ounce. This is a small load compared to that in a 20- or 12-gauge shell, but there are fewer gaps in the .410’s shot stream. And as .410 barrels tend to be narrow and tightly choked, if you are on the target, shots can be very effective. Consider using No. 7½ shot for longer shots and 8½ for shots in the open. For clay-target shooting, No. 9s give you the tightest patterns, but you need to shoot smoothly and quickly, as smaller pellets drop faster than larger-size shot.

The .410 has exceptional handling, but its lighter weight requires more control. This can be compared to a Ferrari in acceleration. Moving only one mile per hour faster than the target or bird demands exceptional focus and a controlled swing. It’s all too easy to rush your swing and blow past the bird or clay. 

While veteran shooters may tell you that you need a 12-gauge to shoot skeet or trap targets, in reality if you just focus on the target, you may be surprised at just what you can hit with the versatile little .410 from 16 yards and even up to 25.

As with most things, practice is the key to becoming a good shot with the .410. Challenging yourself with a variety of target presentations during the off-season will definitely prepare you for a successful hunting season. And you don’t need to restrict yourself to practicing on the trap or skeet field or the small-gauge course at your club; go for those longer crossing targets on the regular sporting clays course. With practice, it won’t be long before you are impressing your shooting companions with your .410 shooting skills. 

When upland hunting, be sure to consider your quarry when choosing shot sizes. Squirrels and rabbits will need No. 6 to 7½ shot. For those crack shots who use a .410 for ruffed grouse or woodcock, these same shot sizes will work at closer range. 

When the federal government banned lead shot for waterfowling more than 25 years ago, many hunters complained that the distances at which they could kill birds cleanly with steel were less than those for lead. Because steel pellets are lighter and retain less energy than lead, the impact at distance is greatly diminished. In addition, steel patterns are tighter and steel has shorter shotstrings than lead, so shot placement has to be more precise. 

Through the years many different nontoxic-shot types have been introduced, and currently there are 13 that have been approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Most recently, the introduction of Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) has been considered a real game changer, especially for the .410. The tungsten-alloy material is 56% more dense than lead and has a 22% higher density than standard tungsten. This translates into TSS being more lethal at longer ranges, even using smaller shot sizes.

For example, there are more TSS No. 9 pellets than No. 5 lead pellets in shells with equal payloads, so there are more TSS pellets hitting the target harder, which results in more clean kills. Some turkey hunters have begun using .410 shotguns and TSS with great success. Granted, there are cost considerations, as TSS shells are much more expensive than lead or steel.

To sum up, in my opinion the .410 bore has proven itself to be a legitimate clay-target shotgun and an excellent hunting gun, especially for those who like lightweight guns and challenging shots. It may not be the go-to for every scenario, but it serves specific purposes very effectively. Whether for birds of clay or feather, the .410 bore definitely has its place in the world of shotgunning and is a whole lot of fun! 

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