.410 bore
| .410 bore | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type | Shotgun, Revolver, single-shot Pistol |
| Place of origin | England |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Eley Brothers |
| Produced | 1874 onwards |
| Specifications | |
| Case type | Rimmed, Straight, (optional plastic) |
| Bullet diameter | .410 in (10.4 mm) (Slug) |
| Neck diameter | .455 in (11.6 mm) (Plastic) |
| Base diameter | .470 in (11.9 mm) |
| Rim diameter | .535 in (13.6 mm) |
| Rim thickness | .060 in (1.5 mm) |
| Overall length | 2", 2.5", 3" |
| Rifling twist | N/A |
.410 bore, commonly incorrectly named the .410 gauge, is the smallest gauge of shotgun shell commonly available. It has similar base dimensions to the .45 Colt revolver cartridge, allowing many single-shot firearms and some revolvers chambered in that caliber to fire shot without any modifications, though the .410 is significantly longer, up to 3 inches (76 mm).
Lancasters pattern centrefire and pinfire .410 shot cartridges first appeared in Eley Brothers Ltd. advertising flysheets in 1857. By 1874 Eleys were advertising modern centrefire .410 cartridges. It appears to have become popular around 1900, although it was recommended as "suited to the requirements of naturalists, and for such weapons as walking-stick guns", presumably for self-defense, in 1892 by W. W. Greener. The first ammunition was 2.0 inches (50.8 mm) long, compared with the modern 2.5 and 3.0-inch (76 mm) sizes.
As the smallest of traditional shotgun sizes, .410 bore guns throw the least weight of shot, but are very easy to handle. This results in a very low recoil, so the .410 is often chosen for young shooters, who might have problems with a heavier recoiling shotgun. Some shooters, however, discourage the use of the .410 as an introduction for young shooters, both because the negligible recoil does not familiarize the beginners with the heavier recoil of larger cartridges such as the 12 gauge, and because of the difficulty in hitting moving targets with the small charge of shot used by the .410. Others believe starting young/new/small shooters with large recoiling guns will cause a habit of flinching and negatively affect their accuracy.
Some competitive shooters choose the .410 bore because of the challenge it presents; .410 bore guns generally have full chokes to form a tight pattern with the small load of shot, and this makes hitting moving targets very challenging. By using sub-gauge inserts, a 12 gauge break open action can be temporarily converted down as far as a .410 bore to provide additional challenge when training, or to handicap the shooter.
The .410 bore is also commonly used for small game animals such as squirrels and rabbits, where the small diameter patterns of a full choke are less problematic than with birds.
...
Wikipedia