Best .410 bore defense loads by product line
| Product Line | Type | Typical CPR |
|---|---|---|
| Hornady Critical Defense | FTX slug + 2 balls | $1.20—1.80 |
| Federal Personal Defense | 000 Buck (4 pellets) | $1.00—1.50 |
| Winchester PDX1 | Disc + 16 BBs | $1.20—1.80 |
What to know about .410 bore defense ammo
Purpose-built .410 defense ammo was created specifically for the Taurus Judge and S&W Governor revolvers. Hornady Critical Defense loads a FTX slug backed by two 35-caliber round balls — delivering three projectiles per trigger pull from a 2.5-inch shell. Winchester PDX1 uses a disc-and-BB approach. Federal Personal Defense sticks with traditional 000 buckshot. All are optimized for short-barrel revolver velocities. For dedicated home defense, a 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun delivers significantly more terminal effect.