doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 2 inch .410 loads

I've been using 13.8 grains of 296 in AA casas for many years. The recommemded 14 grains goes over 1200 fps. I prefer 1150 or thereabouts, with all my loads.

I see no safety reason why a 2" .410 load with 3/8 ounces of shot could not be loaded with about 11 to 11.5 grains of 296. If the sound indicates that the pressure is high enough for good ignition, it sure isn't going to blow up a gun in good condition. Another indication of less than proper ignition would be excessive residue in the bore. Maybe Winchester could give you some confirmation, but I doubt it.

An old Lyman manual I have for the 2½" .410 with 3/8oz shot recommended 7grs "Infallible" or 10grs "Herco". Infallible was a powder virtually identical to "Unique". In the 2" case using the cut-back plastic wads per 8-bores recommendation I would think 6grs Unique or 8 grs Herco would be very efficient loads for the 3/8oz load. Due to the small dia of the bore Load Density (shot wt/bore area) changes rapidly with only small changes of weight. I would not really think the very slow ".410 Powders" would necessarily be the most desirable for only 3/8oz charges. This Unique loading is often quoted as a suitable charge for loading in .45 Colt case for firing from the SAA incidently.