410 slugs

[justme]

I bought a Rossi 410, just for the he** of it. I want some benign, "farmer" type guns to go with my "serious" stuff, for several reasons. Anyway, I bought some shells(I already have a bunch of 2.5" shells for my Judge). Some that I bought for the Rossi are 3" slug loads. They are the 1/4 oz( 109+ grain) slugs. Foot/lbs energy on these works out to just under 800. Are these any good for defense? Can they be used to hunt anything bigger than a 'possum?
I have heard of kids on their first hunt taking down deer with these loads. The 800 ft/lbs energy is pretty impressive, but the light weight and soft lead may reduce the effectiveness of the load. Anyone had first hand experience with this load?

[RICH 45]

Great weapon for a young grandchild, personally I would have considered maybe a lever action in .45 colt. There are some really reasonable ones out there. A little better velocity and versatility.

[justme]

:? Great weapon for a young grandchild, personally I would have considered maybe a lever action in .45 colt. There are some really reasonable ones out there. A little better velocity and versatility.

I've had lever guns from 22 LR to 45-70, and most in between. I like lever guns, but I wanted something super low cost, for now. I always wanted a Winchester Ranger Compact in 357 or 30 WCF, but they were hard to find even way back when Winchester was still operating, so I never got one.( If anyone out there in Buds land knows where I can get one, please M-E know!)

[Support4Firearms]

I've often wondered about 'slugs' as well for the middle-of-the-night strange noise situations. I've got a darn clean Savage FOXB that I've had for years, but here where I live (New Mexico) even though hunting flying critters is a possibility I've never got the urge in the last 10 years. Then 'slugs' began showing uo in - or I started noticing them beadvertised - and the "I wonders" started filling my head.

Sure, it's two sligs, unless there are a few extra attached - but I've got to believe that even with, "just two", the sheer noise factor and hopefully direct hits, would be enough to send the 'not wanted' on their way. Having a revolver/pistol close by for 'encounter number two' if the intruder did not exit would then be the immediate 'backup'. Maybe doing it backwards? Yet, honestly, if I send an intruder running, but identified with 'slug bruises' and he is caught by the authorities, I've protected myself, my family etc. and, in the end - most likely did not take a life.

While some might think it a silly idea -- it seems that if practiced enough to allow me to become comfortable with the actual performance of this 'protectio plan', it would work. Less than Ideal? Well, I suppose so. Yet, since I'm not a 'household commando' who going to roam the house, gun in hand so I can 'clear the areas' in my home, it seems workable. I have always believed that if I keep myself, my wife and the kids (when they were still at home) in the same room as me - and let the intruder come to me, it's far better than leaving the family alone while I wander, in the dark, looking for a guy who most likely wil seeME before I see HIM/HER. Stay in place - let them come into MY VIEW - and I have the upper hand. SO, the shotgun slug sounds like a fairly good, idea IMHO.

I get a kick out of the boards where every guy wants to go looking to see what made the noise, gun in hand, ready to blast away, only to find out there is more than one intruder and while he might be facing one, the family he left alone is confronted my another. Not all wives (or husbands for that matter) are comfortable with the idea of using a weapon against an intruder. Leave one of these folks alone and you are not really protecting anything other than the macho 'gun totin' protector' image the gun seems to bring forth.

Back on the real subject -- I like the 'slug idea' -- before sending high-powered, self protection ammo flying around homes made of wall-board and wood siding. The neighbors might appreciate it as well? Ya think? I do. SLUG AWAY!

(Typos provided at NO additional fee!)
John