I gave my sister an older Savage/Stevens 311 S/S .410 about 20 years ago. The area where she lives has been designated (no lead shot) due to being a condor area. I have been unable to locate an alternative to lead shot that is factory loaded for the .410. I am currently under the opinion that steel shot would score the barrel even if I could find some steel. Anybody have any suggestions other than reloading.

Federal loads .410s with steel shot that are available here in Utah at WalMart. We have a wildlife refuge nearby that requires non-toxic shot for all small game, not just waterfowl. I would contact Savage and ask if it is safe to use in the 311. Hope this helps.

At $3.20/shell you might consider getting her a better shotgun for hunting but if you want .410 that will work....

http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-ENV4109S

I think it would be more practical to move the old 311 .410 to somewhere that it can be used with conventional shot in it and replace it in the condor area with a larger gauge that is more practical for steel shot.

What's odd about all this environmental stuff is that steel shot is "OK"...but then needs a plastic wad as against lead that uses a fibre wad.

In theory, hope it helps, if you've roll turn over cartridges (or even crimp) you could undo or cut off the crimp, stuff them yourself with weighed payload of tin or bismuth (that you've bought in a bag in bulk) and then re-roll crimp.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:
At $3.20/shell you might consider getting her a better shotgun for hunting but if you want .410 that will work....

http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-ENV4109S

$80 per box? OUCH!