???

I am at a loss to think of a purpose for using them.

I have seen/heard of a couple of unorthodox uses for them.



Killing sharks dragged up into the fishing boat.



Also an old culler at my range said he used them for culling waterbuffalo.

They would drive them with a vehicle and thanks to the low recoil, the 410 could be used one handed at point blank range.



Karl.

In some state/countys, u can only hunt deer with a shotgun. The recoil of a .410 is light enought for a young hunter to handle.

Crazyquik,

I think its just a matter of the same thing with most shotgun slugs, before the whole slug hunting game got popular.

A shotgun is designed for shot, and the slug simply gave your home an option of destroying a larger animal/pest than normal with it.



Now since we've evolved slugs as a viable and serious hunting alternative- the 410 slug looks a bit useless.

But 'back then' or now it serves the same purpose of increasing the shotguns killing power slightly.



Karl.

Here in MD it is illegal to use any slug smaller than 20 ga. 410 slugs are out of the question.

.410 slugs are not allowed in Pennsylvania either.
The energy is close to a .357 mag at the muzzle, but the .410 slug only weighs around 1/5 ounce, which if I figure right, is only something like 90 grains. Add to that the fact that its soft lead, and I don't think it would penetrate very good. All in all, I think a .410 slug would make a poor choice for deer-sized game. I would not let my kid use one, I think its better to wait until they can handle 20 gauge recoil, rather than risk them wounding a deer on their first try.

Years ago they called them "Fox Slugs." Maybe take a clue from that?

my older freind used them for deer in his golden years.We are in shotgun only area.

Personally I carry .410 slugs when I'm out bird hunting, but they are only for deterring big critters that would try to eat me. There are a lot of wolves, cougars and bears where I hunt.(I haven't had to try one, but it makes me feel better having them). I also used to use them on small deer(>100lbs) at ranges no more than 75yds, when they were legal. Another purpose for them is dispatching big halibut before bringing them on the boat.

I believe they are legal in Ohio too.