Should the .410 be legal for deer?

[13BVET]

Was wondering what others hunters thoughts are on this theoretical question.

[nygooseduster26]

I wondered the ssame thing. I use a .222 which is much smaller than a .410 round. It specifies in the regulations book that it can be "Any Centerfire Rifle." As i recall, you couldnt use a .410 before the rifle season came about because it was considered a rifle. Maybe i'm wrong. Great question!

[13BVET]

I actually talked to the biologist for Region 3 today, and asked him why the .410 couldn't be used in shotgun only areas. His response, was that it shot like a rifle. Upon hearing his response, I responded with "so does the muzzle loader". He was forced to admit, that I had a very valid point. Personally, I think the .410, and the 28 gauge, are quite capable of taking deer. Brenneke apparently now makes 28 gauge slugs.

[Pygmy]

I don't think the .410 bore was ever considered a rifle... 28 gauge slugs are illegal also.

The statement that a .410 with slugs shoots like a rifle is BS and indicates that the biologist doesn't know what he is talking about. A degree in wildlife biology doesn't make one an expert on firearms or ballistics.

Years ago, someone who was making the regs decided that shotgun slugs smaller than 20 gauge were inadequate for deer.

Well, compared to larger bore shotguns and many rifle calibers, the .410 IS pretty anemic, but since ANY centerfire cartridge is allowed in rifle areas, and quite a few centerfire rifle and pistol rounds are less powerful than a .410 with slugs, I would say that the regulation is obsolete and doesn't make a lot of sense.

Whether it will ever be changed, who knows ?? It's not like there is a lot of interest in hunting deer with .410 shotguns.

Edited November 16, 2011 by Pygmy

[13BVET]

I don't think the .410 bore was ever considered a rifle... 28 gauge slugs are illegal also.

The statement that a .410 with slugs shoots like a rifle is BS and indicates that the biologist doesn't know what he is talking about. A degree in wildlife biology doesn't make one an expert on firearms or ballistics.

Years ago, someone who was making the regs decided that shotgun slugs smaller than 20 gauge were inadequate for deer.

Well, compared to larger bore shotguns and many rifle calibers, the .410 IS pretty anemic, but since ANY centerfire cartridge is allowed in rifle areas, and quite a few centerfire rifle and pistol rounds are less powerful than a .410 with slugs, I would say that the regulation is obsolete and doesn't make a lot of sense.

Whether it will ever be changed, who knows ?? It's not like there is a lot of interest in hunting deer with .410 shotguns.

While I certainly agree that there's most likely not a lot of interest in hunting deer with the .410, it may be a very viable option for young hunters who might be intimidated by the recoil of the larger bores.

[Pygmy]

I agree...I have absolutely nothing against the use of it, within it's limits...

A .38 Special is capable of taking deer also, at close range and with good shot placement..

The only thing that I was taking issue with is the biologist's statement that it is more like a rifle than other shotguns ( which is an old wives tale that I have been hearing for years).

Not so....Is is simply a less powerful shotgun. Much less powerful and no more accurate than a 20 gauge.

[damore81]

Just my opinion as an owner of a .410, I feel that a .410 slug at 50-75 yards would be adequate for deer but any further than that would be a crap shoot.

[SteveNY]

Short answer, no.

[Dinsdale]

Brenneke apparently now makes 28 gauge slugs.

Yep.....and I just ordered some. I have a rifle sights and scope capable 28. Can't wait to smoke a yote with one. Wish i could use them for deer here, but will travel next year to a friends where they can be used for deer and pigs.

[steve863]

I know that I will tick off the bowhunters here, but if one is allowed to hunt deer with a bow, why would the .410 be inadequate? I can't imagine that it wouldn't put a deer down as quick or quicker at 20-30 yards than an arrow would? Yes, one probably shouldn't stretch a shot from a .410 to over 50 yards, if that far, but most bowhunters shouldn't shoot at a deer over 20 or 25 yards yet many do anyway. There won't be a DEC officer under your treestand telling you not to. So in my opinion if bows are legal, than there is little reason that the .410 shouldn't be. It's limits need to be realized by the hunter, just like with any other weapon.

[Fletch]

I would not be an advocate for the 410 on a deer, just not enough sustained knockdown power. Yes it could kill deer in the right hands but not an efficient weapon for the chore.

[damore81]

I know that I will tick off the bowhunters here, but if one is allowed to hunt deer with a bow, why would the .410 be inadequate? I can't imagine that it wouldn't put a deer down as quick or quicker at 20-30 yards than an arrow would? Yes, one probably shouldn't stretch a shot from a .410 to over 50 yards, if that far, but most bowhunters shouldn't shoot at a deer over 20 or 25 yards yet many do anyway. There won't be a DEC officer under your treestand telling you not to. So in my opinion if bows are legal, than there is little reason that the .410 shouldn't be. It's limits need to be realized by the hunter, just like with any other weapon.

Well put. I am a bow hunter as well and exactly as stated above, the limit to every weapon needs to be realized by the handler and as my previous post states, my .410 would smoke a deer at 50 yards without hesitation but beyond 75 yards it would be questionable. Any shot that is questionable should not be taken and in my book is unethical regardless of weapon!

[nygooseduster26]

My neighbor has hunted for deer with a .410 for many years. We watched him take down a 9 point with a 80 yard shot to the lungs. We told him it was illegal to use but you know how stubborn old men can be!

[Elmo]

I thought the minimum caliber for deer was .243 but now the regulation states any centerfire. When did this change?

[steve863]

I would not be an advocate for the 410 on a deer, just not enough sustained knockdown power. Yes it could kill deer in the right hands but not an efficient weapon for the chore.

A bow doesn't have knockdown power neither, yet I would be strung up by many here if I suggested bows should be made illegal for hunting. A .223 also doesn't have a whole lot of knockdown power for deer and it wouldn't be my first choice as a deer caliber, but it's not illegal for deer in NYS. I doubt anyone will lobby to make the .410 legal, but in reality there is little reason that it shouldn't be given the other things out there that are perfectly legal.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Big no on the .410. I own one and have shot slugs through it. It shoots them great. I just don't think there is enough energy there. (I am not a fan of the 20.ga though. wouldn't hunt with one for deer if it were given to me)

I have no idea who this clown of a biologist is but he doesn't know his a$$ from a whole in the ground. The .410 is a shotgun...period. It's barrel diameter is measured in inches and is the only shot gun that is. It has nothing to do with barrel diameter it has to do with the shell casing construction.

Here is a trivia for you guys and I know many will know this.

How did they come up with the guage number for a shotgun? 28,20,16,12, 10?

It is the number of lead balls the diameter of the barrel that equals a pound of lead.

12 balls of lead in that pound, it was a 12 guage

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I thought the minimum caliber for deer was .243 but now the regulation states any centerfire. When did this change?

I think the old regulation was .25 caliber and above centerfire. I don't think the .243 was a legal deer gun the way the old regs were.

Drives me nuts the inconsistencies in the regs. I wish they would get into the 21 century. No rifles....oh wait you can use a pistol chambered in .300Winmag...can't use a .410 shotgun but can use a .17caliber centerfire round.

Edited November 16, 2011 by Culvercreek hunt club

[wdswtr]

I own a 410 and it barely has the nuts to kill a grouse let alone a deer. I have shot a few grouse with my 410 with very poor results. 28 guage maybe 410 no way in hell.

[Doewhacker]

Can't really compare a bow to a gun, broadheads cut, bullets smash. I'll stick to my macho man 7mm or a 12 gauge thanks.

[steve863]

I think the old regulation was .25 caliber and above centerfire. I don't think the .243 was a legal deer gun the way the old regs were.

How far back in years does this go? As long as I remember any centerfire of .22 and over was legal in NYS, and I know .243 have been used as long as I can remember also.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Maybe I am crossing two memories...lol bigger than .25 for a pistol?

[steve863]

Maybe I am crossing two memories...lol

I bet our wives wished we had two memories, this way we would have NO excuse for not remembering the endless list of things they want us to do. LOL

[damore81]

I bet our wives wished we had two memories, this way we would have NO excuse for not remembering the endless list of things they want us to do. LOL

That is grounds for a whole other thread! lol

[steve863]

That is grounds for a whole other thread! lol

Yeah, and maybe in that thread we could discuss whether the .410 would be adequate enough for our wives?? Just kidding

[Culvercreek hunt club]

Not sure I would go down that road with a .700 Nitro

Edited November 16, 2011 by Culvercreek hunt club