.410 Catridges for Rabbit

[Sterry 0]

I personally dont rate no.6 shot in my .410 and prefer no.4 and at least no.5, but have heard some aguments that no.6 throws a better pattern, even if this is true, i dont think they have enough kinetic energy to kill humanely upto 30yrds.

 

So, What cartridge loads do you prefer for this fantastic calibre and any veiws would be great to know.

[watchman 256]

3" no 6 mate dont seem to have any probs bowling em over at 30 yards

[Geoff.C 0]

I don't have my .410 anymore. (I regret selling it now). When using it for rabbit, my cartridge was always 3" of number 6. Never a problem.

 

Edit to say, I forgot to actually vote, done it now. Also, always used Express shells.

Edited June 2, 2009 by Geoff.C

[Sterry 0]

The reason i ask is because i shot a bunny the other day, a young one at that, well within range i managed to het the pattern square on him, pellets in the ears, chest, face, front leg. so right on the money but he still gave me the old run around. and when i used some old no.4 i never got any problems like that...for obvious reasons.

 

keep in voting and commenting, its all good to know whys and hows.

[crumblyned 0]

My cartridge is always 3" of number 5. It stops em dead 9 times out of 10 out to 25-30yds, using sixes they sometimes run on

BUT I am extra full choke maybe that makes a difference??

Ned

[chalky 0]

I use 3" Mags ELEY Fourlong out to 30 Yds in open fields with no runners ?

 

For hedge bottom work and on the railway bankings i use 2.5" 6 shot and i,ve got a box of 2" that i use ocasionally in the back garden for rabbits and the ocasional Pheasant.

[Sterry 0]

It looks like the 3" with larger shot than 5 is most preferenc but still no comments on them.

[SportingShooter 0]

This is quite a complex story of ballistics and performance.

 

The .410 as we all know has a tiny bore, very tiny. Now, if you compare say, the size of a 12 bore's bore. It is working at .730 of an inch. It fires a working load of 30gr (What it was designed for and has optimum use for).

 

The 20 bore, has a working load of 24gr for a bore of .615 of an inch. A 28 bore has a working load of 21gr with a bore of .550.

 

The .410 has a working load of 12gr of lead.

 

When used with this amount of shot, the pattern is equally spread, is not likely to be blown and less pellets are likely to be deformed. This is its optimum load where it performs best "ballistically".

 

But then we go and throw a spanner in the works and use 1/3 more shot. Because of this increase, the pattern is more likely to blow and have gaps, there is likely to be more deformed pellets and choke is likely to have less effect.

 

In this case, the pattern of larger shot is going to be more sparse and the pellet hits are going to be unpredictable. Whereas, with smaller shot, the patter is going to suffer the same effects, but there are more pellets to compensate.

 

In any case, the lighter the load and the larger the shot, the more likely the chance of wounding due to the pattern being sparse and not enough pellets hitting the vital areas. Whats the old saying, you can shoot a Deer with an Elephant gun, but it will only die if you shoot it in the right place.

 

Firing 18gr of Lead through a tiny bore will cause problems, but the best combination recommended by many is more open chokes and small shot.

 

I checked my .410 the other day, it is choked at 1/4 and Full. So I tend to shoot a 3" No.6 through the 1/4 and 2.5" No.6 through the Full, if I'm just going for a stroll with it and have time to load it properly.

 

Apologies if none of the above makes sense, its late!

 

SS

[darcysgimp 0]

it is of worth while noting the difference between cartridge brands and performance too.

put a eley 3 inch mag in and say a fhiocci 3 inch mag the fire both one after another,the difference is amazing the eley sounding and feeling like a cap gun.

 

i shoot a ceasar guarini summit 410 with 30 inch barrels multichoke but tend to stick to 1/2 and 3/4 chokes though

i only shoot fhiocci as get a bit of sponsorship for them but i must say they are a fantastic shell.

i only use the 410 now and find i can kill anything anyone else can with a 12 bore.

i use 7 1/2s for clays and 6s for game.

its worth noting though that a 410 your accuracy has to be 150% more than with a 12 and a 3inch load has the same lenth shot string as a 3 1/2 inch magnum 12 bore.

 

personally i think its down to accuracy and confidence not chokes and shot sizes.

[Simoman 110]

Thought you have been locked in a basement gimp

[Sterry 0]

BUMP

[COMPO 54]

i too like the Number 5's in 3 inchers...buts its finding a shop that stocks them as you know Sterry!

 

 

I cant imagine there is that much difference between the 5's and the 6's in size and hence pattern but i feel that i get cleaner kills with teh 5 due to the slightly larger pellets ......it gives me the confidence, perhaps it makes only a neglible difference but I like the confidence of teh 5's..........saying that my fully choked baikal .410 is eating 6's and 7's as thats all any of the local gunshops sell! the lack of choice in 410 carts really upsets me as in teh 12gauge i have everything from SG - no 7's, so is it asking a lot for a few number 5's and even 4's for the .410?

[Sterry 0]

i too like the Number 5's in 3 inchers...buts its finding a shop that stocks them as you know Sterry!

 

 

I cant imagine there is that much difference between the 5's and the 6's in size and hence pattern but i feel that i get cleaner kills with teh 5 due to the slightly larger pellets ......it gives me the confidence, perhaps it makes only a neglible difference but I like the confidence of teh 5's..........saying that my fully choked baikal .410 is eating 6's and 7's as thats all any of the local gunshops sell! the lack of choice in 410 carts really upsets me as in teh 12gauge i have everything from SG - no 7's, so is it asking a lot for a few number 5's and even 4's for the .410?

 

Thats exactly the same reason as myself, we're both in the same predicament here. lol.

 

I think its such a shame that this calibre has such limited ammunition range, as with correct shot size/choke this lil gun can be used with great effectivness (when i was little uncles friend, who took me round the shoots, killed a goose with one) on rabbits, having a mooch this gun weighs nothing

 

thought these might intrest you compo.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/ammo/1372...cartridges.html

http://www.fourten.org.uk/cart.html

[COMPO 54]

i too like the Number 5's in 3 inchers...buts its finding a shop that stocks them as you know Sterry!

 

 

I cant imagine there is that much difference between the 5's and the 6's in size and hence pattern but i feel that i get cleaner kills with teh 5 due to the slightly larger pellets ......it gives me the confidence, perhaps it makes only a neglible difference but I like the confidence of teh 5's..........saying that my fully choked baikal .410 is eating 6's and 7's as thats all any of the local gunshops sell! the lack of choice in 410 carts really upsets me as in teh 12gauge i have everything from SG - no 7's, so is it asking a lot for a few number 5's and even 4's for the .410?

 

Thats exactly the same reason as myself, we're both in the same predicament here. lol.

 

I think its such a shame that this calibre has such limited ammunition range, as with correct shot size/choke this lil gun can be used with great effectivness (when i was little uncles friend, who took me round the shoots, killed a goose with one) on rabbits, having a mooch this gun weighs nothing

 

thought these might intrest you compo.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/guns/ammo/1372...cartridges.html

http://www.fourten.org.uk/cart.html

 

 

the first article is very interesting especially as he states that all the serious game shooters he know who use a .410 use number 4 shot.....LOL

[Sterry 0]

Yeah lol, i liked that bit, took it as some what of a complament lol,