.410

I was thumbing thru my Black Powder Gun Digest, circa 1977, (I found this beauty in a junk shop for a buck). There's an article about using BP shotguns, and gives some loads. I think the smaller gauges might be of import to this thread.

28 ga 55gr ffg 1/2" wad 5/8oz shot light load
60gr ffg 1/2" wad 5/8oz shot medium ld
65gr ffg 1/2" wad 7/8oz shot heavy load

410ga 34gr ffg 1/2" wad 1/2oz shot light load
44gr ffg 1/2" wad 1/2oz shot medium ld
44gr ffg 1/2" wad 5/8oz shot heavy load

the chart gave loads from 10 gauge to 410, but these loads might help someone.
Regards

When I started playing with blackpowder guns a few years back, built a.410 and a .32 smooth bore. Both in handguns and enjoyed playing with them. Shot everything from birdshot to builders sand through them. #12 shot and sand at carpenter bees. Used same dipper for powder and shot. Packed paper over powder and shot for wad. Within reasonable distance the 410 takes small game with #6-8 shot. I had thought about building a full size 410 shotgun but never got around to looking for a barrel. I think the 410 would be a good woods gun with choked barrel. Didnt figure there were very many folks into the small gauges.

I bought a 40 cal smoothy about 1 1/2 years ago.. Spanish built. Ugly to say the least. Someone tried to refinish the barrel and stock.. FIL got sick and passed Nanny went to a home, clean up a estate.. Project has been delayed.. Everything functions well, have not fired yet. Maybe this winter. Bought as a project for a partridge/ grouse gun. Didn't put to much research into loads just yet.

One Project that's high on my list is a .40 cal swivel breach flintlock! I want an Oct to Rnd Rifled .40 cal and a tapered rnd .40 Smooth bore.

I figured it would be the ultimate Grouse and Bunny Gun.

I have an old .22/410 Stevens and figured the swivel breach would be an awesome replacement since I love shooting black powder so much better!

colorado clyde said:

Any .410 muzzleloader shooters out there?.....Besides me... :hmm:

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This count? I haven’t shot it.

If I ever catch up
I have a half octagon half round .410 barrel, flint breach plug and a Becky flintlock
It was planned on being sized as a kid’s gun, 18 in barrel. Nice piece of wood for it.




Maybe some day.



William Alexander

I like it... :thumbsup:

I traded for a set of .410 percusion sxs barrels.If I can just find a set of locks small enough. Stacey

That's gonna be a nice gun.. I'm thinking English fowlerish for my 40cal. Might look like a girls gun, but the way I've been shooting lately.. Been having no fun with the scatter gun this year..

I haven't found much need for small caliber smoothbores since I discovered long ago that you can load a 12 gauge with a typical .410 load and get excellent results with 1/2 ounce of shot over 1 1/2 drams of powder. You also can get a 12 gauge side by side weighing just 5 1/2 pounds so I have no need for less gun. Actually, with a good 12 gauge side by side you can feel pretty well equipped for about anything by just varying the load, they are amazingly versatile.

CoyoteJoe said:

I haven't found much need for small caliber smoothbores since I discovered long ago that you can load a 12 gauge with a typical .410 load and get excellent results with 1/2 ounce of shot over 1 1/2 drams of powder. You also can get a 12 gauge side by side weighing just 5 1/2 pounds so I have no need for less gun. Actually, with a good 12 gauge side by side you can feel pretty well equipped for about anything by just varying the load, they are amazingly versatile.

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CJ, good to hear from you :hatsoff:

B.

Thanks, Britt, it's good to be heard. :haha:

CoyoteJoe said:

I haven't found much need for small caliber smoothbores since I discovered long ago that you can load a 12 gauge with a typical .410 load and get excellent results with 1/2 ounce of shot over 1 1/2 drams of powder. You also can get a 12 gauge side by side weighing just 5 1/2 pounds so I have no need for less gun. Actually, with a good 12 gauge side by side you can feel pretty well equipped for about anything by just varying the load, they are amazingly versatile.

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Yes, absolutely, no question about it. King of shotguns.

I think it would be interesting to shoot a 12 with the same loads as my 9mm smooth bore.
Just to see, to compare them. I know that my little shotguns can’t do what the big boys can.
It just never occurred to me to try loads less an ounce in a 12 gage.

So I started looking through my M/L guns. :shocked2: I don’t have any 12 gage guns! :shocked2: :td:

A number of functional smooth bores and not one in 12 gage.
Guess I need to try and get one.


William Alexander

You don't have a 12 gauge? Use your 20 with the light load.

I know you really want justification for buying a 12 gauge, but I'm just trying to save you a few dollars.

Dug this out of my stash.


Not a .410 but close. Not assembled and not too close.
Barrel is Marked 11.4 mm that comes out 0.448 caliber, 52 gage?
But the bore measures a true .425 caliber, 60 gage?
Barrel is 30 inches long
The lock is very small, 3 7/8, it’s smaller than the Becky lock size.
Not sure I will use the lock.
Would need to modify or replace the hammer to get more throw.
The barrel has Belgian proof marks.

Parts from left to right.
Stamped steel butt plate, too big for the stock I think
Trigger and trigger plate, looks useable
Stamped sheet steel trigger guard, crude.
Three screws
Sheet steel ramrod thimble, crude
Steel ramrod

Still just parts. Some of the parts are crude even for me.

Sometimes I think of it as just a barrel in need of all new parts.

I dig it out now and again and think it might be fun to assemble it, than I put it back.

I have too much stuff I think.

I started gathering extra tools, machines and projects in my 20’s
The plan was to have something to do if I ever retire. I think I over did it?

Any opinions?



William Alexander

coloradoclyde said:

Mine is just an old CVA double barrel .410
I'll see if I can post a pic tomorrow....

Your 9mm smoothbore sounds interesting.... :hmm:

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I have one of those too! Paid $100 for it from Gander Mt. years ago. Just now dug it out of “retirement” and have been shooting some .408” slugs from my new Russian Svarog slug mould. It shoots a 4” group out of one barrel using 40-50 gr. Black MZ with a felt wad lubed with beeswax/olive oil mix. At 25 yds. both barrels group within 4” of each other. Shoots a bird killing pattern out to 25 yds. Now I need to get one of those little “monkey gun” things like Dixie used to sell. I have seen a few now and again on one of the gun selling sites.