.410 Bore

01 / At a glance

The basics

Origin

Bore diameter in inches

Introduced

Long-standing

Ignition

Centerfire

Case form

Rimmed shotshell

Diameter

.410 in

Case length

64 / 76 mm

Rounded values to help you identify the cartridge, not manufacturing drawings. See the cited standard for exact dimensions and tolerances.

A short history

Most shotguns are named by gauge, an old British system based on the number of lead balls of the bore diameter that weigh a pound. The .410 is the exception. It is named for the diameter of its bore in inches, .410, which is 10.4 mm. If it followed the gauge system, it would be about a 67 gauge.

Small-bore shotguns appeared in the 19th century, and the .410 became a standard size in the early 20th century. It was sold as a light gun for small game, for boys and for shooters who wanted a quiet gun for pest control. Single-shot .410 guns were among the cheapest shotguns made, and generations of hunters learned on them.

The .410 has stayed in production because it is useful. It is also now sold in pump guns, lever-action guns, doubles and even revolvers designed to fire .410 shells, although many of those are controversial. It is not a gun for beginners who want an easy time hitting flying targets, but it is a good gun for learning safe handling.

Why it is so popular

The first reason is recoil. A 1/2 ounce load in a five pound gun has very little kick, and young shooters can fire it without being afraid. The sound is also lower than larger gauges, which helps new shooters stay relaxed.

The second reason is size and weight. Single-shot and pump .410 guns are small, light and cheap. They fit in a vehicle, a closet or a farm shop, and they are easy for a young person to carry.

The third reason is the work it can do. For rabbits, squirrels and similar small game at close range, and for pest control around the farm, the .410 does the job without a lot of noise or damage. It also has the kind of challenge that some experienced shooters enjoy.

Specifications at a glance

Values are rounded for reference. Exact dimensions and tolerances are in the SAAMI and C.I.P. standards cited at the end of this page.

Strengths and limits

The .410 is the lightest-kicking shotgun, and it pays for that. Know the trade-offs.

The .410 is often sold as the right first gun for a child. That is true for recoil, but not for hitting moving targets. A small pellet count makes it harder to hit a bird or a clay target, and a frustrated beginner can lose interest. For many young shooters, a light 20 gauge or a 28 gauge with a small load is a better choice for flying targets. The .410 is excellent for a standing target or small game at close range.

Slugs and buckshot

Slug and buckshot loads exist for the .410, but they are low in energy. They are sometimes used for pest control, for a quick, close shot, or in states that restrict deer rifles. The energy is far below that of larger gauges and deer cartridges, so check local rules before you use a .410 on deer.

Shot size and what it does

A shotshell fires many pellets rather than one bullet, so pellet size and count matter more than a single trajectory. Smaller shot gives more pellets and denser patterns but less energy per pellet. Larger shot gives fewer pellets with more punch.

A typical .410 load carries only 1/2 to 11/16 ounce of shot. That means a 1/2 ounce load of #8 holds about 205 pellets, a load of #7½ about 175, and a load of #6 about 110. An 11/16 ounce load of #7½ holds about 240. The chart shows lead shot. Steel, bismuth and tungsten alloys have different densities, so the numbers per ounce are different. Check the box.

Recoil and shooter comfort

Recoil comes from the weight of the shot charge, the velocity and the weight of the gun. A 1/2 ounce load in a five pound .410 is very mild, softer than any common shotgun load. A 3 inch shell with a heavier load in a very light single-shot can surprise a young shooter, because a light gun moves more.

The gun matters. A cheap single-shot with a hard plastic or metal butt can be unpleasant, even with a mild shell. A pad, a good fit and a firm hold make a lot of difference. Teach a young shooter to hold the gun tightly into the shoulder, to keep the cheek on the stock and to wear ear and eye protection.

How to choose a shell

Start with the job. Then choose the shell length, the shot or slug, and the load weight.

Shell length

Load weight

A 1/2 ounce load is standard for skeet and light work. A 11/16 ounce load in a 3 inch shell has about a third more shot and is the usual hunting load. Because the shot charge is so small, a bigger charge helps more than in larger gauges.

Lead and non-toxic shot

Many wetlands and some other areas require non-toxic shot such as steel, bismuth or tungsten alloys. A .410 has too little shot to be an effective load on waterfowl. For upland game, the choice is usually lead, where lead is allowed. Check the rules where you hunt.

Slugs and buckshot

A .410 slug weighs about 1/5 to 1/4 ounce. Some makers load three or five pellets of buckshot in a 2½ or 3 inch shell, mainly for use in revolvers and small shotguns for defense. Patterns are small, energy is limited, and range is short. Choose the load to suit your barrel, rifled or smoothbore.

How to choose a shotgun

The right shotgun depends on what you plan to shoot. These are the points that matter most.

• Action. Single-shot guns are cheap, simple and safe for beginners, because the shooter has to reload by hand. Pumps and lever-actions hold more shells. Over-and-under and side-by-side guns are used for skeet and for fine hunting.
• Chamber length. Check the barrel. A 3 inch chamber fires 2½ and 3 inch shells. A 2½ inch chamber must only fire 2½ inch shells.
• Barrel length. Barrels of 24 to 28 inches are common. Shorter barrels are handier but make less difference to the pattern than with larger gauges.
• Choke. A full choke gives the best pattern for small game. Many .410 guns have a fixed choke, and some have screw-in tubes. For skeet, an open choke is better.
• Fit and weight. A gun that fits you shoots better and hurts less. For youth, look for a short length of pull or an adjustable stock. Very light guns kick more than a heavier gun with the same shell.

Revolvers that fire .410

A few revolvers can fire .410 shells as well as .45 Colt. They are sold for defense and for snakes, but they are not shotguns. The rifled barrel spreads the shot into a ring, and the short barrel keeps the speed down, so effective range is just a few yards. Treat them as specialist tools.

Chokes and patterning

A choke is a narrowing at the muzzle that controls how tightly the shot spreads. A tighter choke holds the pattern together for longer shots. A more open choke gives a wider pattern for close targets. Because a .410 carries so few pellets, the pattern is thin, and a tighter choke helps keep enough pellets on the target. A full choke is often best for hunting.

Patterning means firing at a large sheet of paper at 25 yards and counting the pellets inside a 30 inch circle. Because the .410 has fewer pellets, a pattern test shows how many are hitting where. Pattern before the season, not during it.

Practical uses

Small game

For rabbits, squirrels and similar game at close range, a .410 with a 3 inch shell and a full choke works well. The shot is small and the noise is low. Keep shots inside 25 yards and aim carefully, because the pattern is small.

Pest control

A .410 is common on farms for starlings, rats and other pests at close range. The low recoil and light weight make it handy. Check local laws on where you can shoot, and on the species you can take.

Skeet

The .410 is the smallest gauge in skeet competition, with the 12, 20 and 28. A good .410 shooter is a real expert, because the pattern is thin. The event is fun and demanding.

Youth and training

The .410 is a good gun for teaching safe handling and for shooting at standing targets. For flying targets, many young shooters do better with a 20 or 28 gauge at a light load, because the pattern is bigger.

.410 vs similar gauges

The table lists the gauges most often compared with the .410. Figures are rounded.

Against the 28 gauge, the .410 carries about a third less shot and patterns thinner. Against the 20 gauge, it is a much lighter, quieter gun and a far less forgiving one. Against the 12 gauge, it is a different tool altogether, suited to close range and light work.

Care and storage

Clean the barrel after each session, pushing a brush and patch through the bore. Wipe the action and apply a light oil. Store shells in a cool, dry place, away from other gauges. Keep firearms and ammunition locked and out of reach of children and unauthorized users. This matters most with youth guns, which are often kept where children can reach them.

Safety and common mistakes

• Never keep .410 shells with 12 or 20 gauge shells. A .410 shell can slip into the chamber of a larger gauge and lodge in the barrel, where it blocks the next shell. Firing a larger shell behind it can burst the barrel.
• Check the gauge marked on the barrel before you load. Match the shell to the gun every time.
• Do not fire a 3 inch shell in a gun with a 2½ inch chamber.
• Treat every firearm as loaded. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
• Know your target and what is beyond it. Shot can travel a long way, and slugs travel farther.
• Wear eye and ear protection. Shot can bounce back from hard targets.
• Supervise young shooters closely. A small gun is still a firearm. Teach the rules before you hand over a gun.
• If you reload, use only published data from a current manual and start low. This page does not contain loading data.

Sources

Sources reviewed · 29 October 2026

1. Wikipedia · .410 bore ↗
2. SAAMI ↗
3. Federal · Shotshell ↗