.410 shotshells in 45-70 rifle, are they effective on small game?

geologist

geologist

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Has anyone used a .410 shotshell in a 45-70 rifle? Would the pattern be dense enough for a rabbit or grouse at around 10-15 yards? What shells are best 2 1/2"? What shot size?

I have a Marlin 1895GS and it would be cool to be able to pot small game while big game hunting.

I would think that the rifling would really screw up the pattern of this small laod.
 
4570 -410

I usually use winchester shotshell since that is all I can get. The two types of hull 1) streight brass hull style can be ejected when not shot
2) ribbed brass style hull can not be ejected if not shot which I use a pocket knife to remove the shell, ejects when shot. pattern is good up to 15 yards and further shots start to look like a dounut if you pattern it. I believe this is because the hull comes in contact with the rifling and gives it a turning motion. I use the guide gun for this.
 
Works in the 444 Marlin for sure. done it a few hundred times with no failure. 2 1/2" shells (all makes) and the Marlin ejects them too. Loaded single of course.
 
when i was a younger fella i nhad a shot out, and i mean shot out 1886 marlin in 45-70. i used to use 410 out of it. since the rifleing was gone, it worked great. good pattern. i used to shoot phesant/ partridge with it
 
My 1970's vintage .444 Marlin will fire some brands of .410 shotshells singleloaded....my Ruger #3 and My Browning 78 45/70 single shots will fire them also....all with about the same results to 15 yards..dead grouse.

If you reload you can make your own shot loads useing your .444 case or your .45/70 case for under 20 cents per round. Cheap.. Rifle will always accept single loading...will always eject if you don't shoot...weight of shot is more for both the 444 and the 45/70 cases and gives a denser pattern than a .410...you can use any size of shot you like...still just good to about 15yds consistantly for grouse.
Regardless as to how you decide to go, you'll have to take some large cardboard or paper to try out the patterns at various distances so you can see how far it is still useable for game. .....take a cleaning rod with you in the event the .410 shell won't eject useing yer lever. Good luck.

your mileage may vary......hs45/70
 
i make my own out of 45/70 brass, unique &card wads. 2 over powder, one over shot and seal top with hot glue. i found the 410s difficult to extract out of my ruger or sharps.
you may not have a problem with marlins.

i do the same with my 45/110 sharps. a MAGNUM 410. ie close to 3".
grouse are impressed to be shot with such a fine weapon. (when i feel up to yarding the gun around the mountains.):D
 
geologist said:
Has anyone used a .410 shotshell in a 45-70 rifle? Would the pattern be dense enough for a rabbit or grouse at around 10-15 yards? What shells are best 2 1/2"? What shot size?

I have a Marlin 1895GS and it would be cool to be able to pot small game while big game hunting.

I would think that the rifling would really screw up the pattern of this small laod.
Click to expand...

YMMV, but a while back I tried some shot (OO Buck and no.6) through the rifled barrel on one of my 870's.

It produced what looked very close to the donut-shaped patterns with the hole in the middle the experts predicted. In fact, at ten meters, with buck, aiming at the center of mass, IIRC not one pellet hit the torso of the target I was firing at. One hit the target in the ear.

I took some pics and posted them on the shotgun forum: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114342

I rather suspect that the rifling in your Marlin will mess up your shot pattern.
 
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I tried it in my Marlin 1895 GS. Winchester high brass 2.5" 7 1/2's. They fired and extracted.

For rabbits or grouse you'd have to keep the range under 15 yards but it'll do the job.
 
small game loads

If you want an effective small game load try running a .490 round ball through a .458 sizing die. Then use the 45 colt load for Hogdens trail boss powder. This works great out of the '95 and gives you more than a 15 yard range its also very quiet. good luck
 
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