What Are the Current .410 Bore Ammo Prices?
| Product Line | Type | Size | Use Case | Typical CPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Top Gun .410 | Target | 7.5 shot | Clays / Target | $0.35—0.50 |
| Winchester AA .410 | Target | 8 shot | Clays / Skeet | $0.40—0.55 |
| Federal Game Load .410 | Field | 6 shot | Upland / Small Game | $0.40—0.55 |
| Hornady Critical Defense .410 | FTX slug + BBs | — | Self-Defense | $1.20—1.80 |
| Federal Personal Defense .410 | 000 Buck | 4 pellets | Self-Defense | $1.00—1.50 |
| Winchester Super-X .410 | Slug | ¼ oz | Deer / Defense | $1.00—1.50 |
| Remington Express .410 | Buckshot | 000 Buck | Hunting / Defense | $0.80—1.30 |
| Winchester Super-X .410 | High Brass | 6 shot | Upland Hunting | $0.50—0.70 |
What .410 Bore Ammo Types Are Available?
- .410 Bore Target loads — Light 7.5–8 shot for clays and skeet shooting
- .410 Bore Buckshot — 000 buck for defense and close-range hunting
- .410 Bore Slugs — ¼ oz slugs for deer and larger game at close range
- .410 Bore Defense loads — Purpose-built personal defense ammunition
How Much Does .410 Bore Ammo Cost Per Round in 2026?
The .410 bore is the most expensive common shotgun gauge on a per-shell basis. Its small-volume shells cost more per round than 12 gauge and 20 gauge despite containing less shot, because production volumes are lower and demand is niche.
Target loads run $0.35—0.55 per shell for 2½-inch shells loaded with 7.5 or 8 shot. Federal Top Gun and Winchester AA are the standards for sporting clays and skeet. This is roughly 40–50% more expensive per shell than equivalent 12 gauge target loads, with significantly less shot.
Buckshot runs $0.80—1.50 per shell for 000 buckshot. A .410 bore 000 buck shell typically holds only 3–5 pellets compared to 8–9 in a 12 gauge 00 buck shell. The limited payload is the .410's main disadvantage for defense — you're throwing fewer projectiles with each trigger pull.
Slugs run $1.00—1.50 per shell for ¼ oz rifled slugs. The .410 slug generates modest energy — enough for deer inside 50 yards in jurisdictions that allow it, but marginal compared to 20 gauge or 12 gauge slugs.
Defense loads run $1.00—1.80 per shell. Hornady Critical Defense .410 combines a FTX slug with two 35-caliber balls, specifically designed for the Taurus Judge and S&W Governor revolvers. Federal Personal Defense offers 000 buckshot optimized for these platforms.
The Taurus Judge factor: The .410 bore's resurgence in popularity is largely driven by the Taurus Judge and S&W Governor revolvers, which chamber both .410 shotshells and .45 Colt. This created a defense ammo market that didn't exist before 2006. Purpose-built defense .410 ammo from Hornady and Federal is designed for these short-barreled platforms.
.410 Bore vs 20 Gauge for Home Defense
The 20 gauge is significantly more effective for home defense. A 20 gauge 00 buck shell delivers roughly 3x the payload of a .410 bore at similar distances. The only advantage of the .410 is minimal recoil — but modern reduced-recoil 20 gauge loads close that gap considerably. If recoil is the concern, a 20 gauge with reduced-recoil buckshot is a better choice than a .410.
.410 Bore Market Trends
The .410 bore market is driven by two segments: sporting clays/skeet (where .410 is the smallest competitive gauge) and Judge/Governor revolver owners. Both segments are stable. Ammo availability is good for common loads but specialty options can be harder to find than 12 gauge equivalents due to lower production volumes.
.410 Bore Ammo Brands — Federal, Hornady, Winchester & More
- Federal — Top Gun target, Personal Defense buckshot, Game Load field. Broadest lineup.
- Hornady — Critical Defense FTX specifically designed for Judge/Governor revolvers.
- Winchester — AA target, Super-X field and slug. Classic options.
- Remington — Express buckshot and field loads. Reliable, widely available.
Where to Buy .410 Bore Ammo Online
- MidwayUSA — Widest selection including specialty defense loads
- Lucky Gunner — Fast shipping, good .410 inventory
- Palmetto State Armory — Competitive pricing on common loads
- Sportsman's Warehouse — Online and in-store pickup
- Target Sports USA — Member pricing on case quantities