fireduck
Active Member
Is it legal in TN to shoot a deer with a 410? Grandson will be 6 next season- shooting off a tri pod. Thanks
410 slug
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philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
I actually had this same thought a while back and I couldn't find any rules that said you couldn't do it. I'll be interested if anyone has any first hand knowledge on this.
Safari Hunt
Well-Known Member
Check with the TWRA or the hunting regulations guide, available online.
http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/hunting/
http://www.eregulations.com/tennessee/hunting/
philsanchez76
Well-Known Member
Nothing here stating caliber size for slugs
I believe it's legal but has a limited range. I would stick with 50yards but another option would be 243 with reduced load for a youngster. I believe the recoil on both for the 410 slug and 243 would be about even. I'd definitely ask in the Twra section
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I'm pretty sure it's legal. That said, you are talking about a 97 grain slug going less than half the speed a 243 can send the same weight bullet. I would think it's a disaster waiting to happen.
Technically legal, but, a really bad idea. It might be effective to 20-25yds.
KPH
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Footvolman
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I can tell you from personal experience. 42 years ago my father took me on juvenile with 410 slug. Sitting on the side of a ridge looking at another steep ridge just 25 yards away. He told me to shot at does feet. I did and saw it hit above her back. Dad saved up for 243 next year. He later told me it shot 4' high when he tested it. First time hunting and all we had so he went with it. Glad he did was still a great memory and got good laughs over the years talking about it.
Footvolman
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Hope i didn't hijack your tread. Answer over 40 years ago was yes but not recommended.
I bet y'all did laugh about "the time you shot over it's back" while aiming at its feet. Good memories and laughs for sure with your dad
50 yards is what I would say is the max. Didn't get a pass thru but destroyed the heart and lungs.
1000 foot pounds of energy is sort of the accepted minimum for ethical deer hunting. My memory is that the .410 slug falls off pretty quickly. The manufacturers list it as suitable for coyote hunting. I'll stand by my statement on ethical ranges.
A quick check showed the 3" Winchester slug started at only 1066 foot pounds at the muzzle. It quickly goes down from there. A 2.5" slug only starts at 745 ftpds at the muzzle.
Suitable for a coyote, but, IMO, VERY marginal for ethical deer hunting.
A quick check showed the 3" Winchester slug started at only 1066 foot pounds at the muzzle. It quickly goes down from there. A 2.5" slug only starts at 745 ftpds at the muzzle.
Suitable for a coyote, but, IMO, VERY marginal for ethical deer hunting.
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Yes you can use 410 for deer bear hog
Friend of mine killed a couple deer back in the early 80s with a 410 slug.
I wouldn't use it or a 243. Can't beat a 30-30 for a kid. This is my opinion some people like a 243 but I absolutely hate that caliber know of to many deer shot and never found.
I wouldn't use it or a 243. Can't beat a 30-30 for a kid. This is my opinion some people like a 243 but I absolutely hate that caliber know of to many deer shot and never found.
mailmanmichael
Member
I had a hunting buddy, years ago. His sister would show up on opening day to hunt , he always brought a 410 and slugs, seems like she killed one every year with it. I believe it is legal weapon.
There are some great reduced recoil loads out there for a 243. I started my son shooting a 223 around 6 and 7 yrs old (to prep for hunting later) and later had him hunting with a 243 with reduced recoil loads at 8 yrs old. The 223 really helped him avoid the fear of a bigger recoil. Once hunting with the 243, I limited his shots to 75 yds or less and he shot his first deer with that gun and load. The doe ran about 50 yds and piled up. Same as mentioned before though, no pass through at that distance. Great internal damage but no blood trail due to no exit wound. No doubt it would have killed the deer at 100 yds or so too. The lack of an exit wound though really reinforced my decision to limit his range. Fortunately, I knew where she fell and avoided a lost deer. I realized after that, he was going to have to go to full loads very soon and he did so willingly.
A reduced recoil 243 load actually has nearly the same recoil as that full load 223 and that turned out to be great prep for him. If you know someone who reloads, they can also create custom loads for you to try out. This way you can find the maximum load the youngster can handle and minimize the negative effects of the lightest loads. Just an idea that may help you.
A reduced recoil 243 load actually has nearly the same recoil as that full load 223 and that turned out to be great prep for him. If you know someone who reloads, they can also create custom loads for you to try out. This way you can find the maximum load the youngster can handle and minimize the negative effects of the lightest loads. Just an idea that may help you.
Another thing to consider is that probably 95% of .410 shotguns come with a fixed full choke. A full choke and slugs do not go well together.
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Doesn't anyone start with small game anymore? My daughter started with squirrels when she was 7. She transitioned to deer/centerfire when she was ready....not when I was ready for her to.
Starting with small game is the only way to go. My son prefers squirrel hunting over deer BBC and is a much better shot because of it
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This was my point. My daughter, now 19, would much rather hunt squirrel than deer. She's been a very successful deer hunter, but it's because she learned to be a successful squirrel hunter first. And it's not just hunting squirrel..she wants to hunt them on a certain piece of property. It's where she started hunting. It's where she has a ton of fun memories. Being drug out of bed, lead into the woods, put in a blind, expected to be quiet and stay awake, is not fun for a 6 yr old. Taking them out and still hunting squirrels is much more fun. Get to move around, make noise, and shoot guns you're not afraid of. Ive got plenty of fond memories of deer hunting, but nothing like the memories of squirrel/rabbit hunting with my papaw. My .02 cents
Get you a.350 legend i just bought one for my daughter for$369 out the door at Walmart with a scope, picked it up 2 weeks ago. It's got less kick than a.243. It's very accurate from 20 yards to 100 there's 3.5 inch height difference but for a kid zero at 50 with it and they'll kill one. Ammo will be tough check out gunbroker. Com.i found 100 round for$200 a bit crazy price but only place that had it. Just went to range yesterday with it
Daughter get a good group with it?
Yes she had 3 shots touching at 50 and 100 yards. My wife too
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I didn't watch the video, but I've shot hundreds out of a full choke. Rifled slugs are basically hollow. Think of a badminton shuttlecock, and they fly the same way to. The "rifling", soft lead ridges,compress to go through a full choke.
If a 410 is a must. I would try to get a rifled barrel and shoot sabot rounds. I'm not positive they make one for a 410 I haven't looked. But most likely they do. I bought one for 12 gauge. And shoot 375 grain Remington Accutip. That might've an option for the 410 if you are gonna get one.
fireduck
Active Member
Thanks for all the help! I found out it is legal to shoot a slug with a 410. I did buy my grand son a 243 last year, and we have a single shot 20ga. When ammo comes available again? we will shoot some lighter loads from the 243- also we will practice some with the 20ga slug. He will be shooting off a tri pod. He might even get a shot at a turkey this spring! Thanks again- fireduck
