what medium sized shot in Taurus "The JUDGE" shells, please?

[daddySEAL]

I'm getting delivery of a new Taurus Judge soon, and wondering what 2 1/2" .410 pellet weight is good for "medium range" (not light and "short carry", as #12 1650 pellets....but not as large as buckshot) for home and carry self defense?

Does anyone here have a "Judge" and know, Please?
(I don't think I'll use or practice with .45 Colt (Long)rounds due to their cost, thank you)

thanks,
dS

[daddySEAL]

doesn't anyone here have one?

dS

[Taxman]

daddySeal my dad has a judge he uses #4 shot. It is hard to find in the 2 1/2 " shells though! #6 shot would also be adequate imo.

[daddySEAL]

Thanks Taxman,
I'll look for #4 and/or #6 shot.

I appreciate it.
With those shot weights....about what is the longest "effective range" that they will "do the job" (and be a definite takedown), please?

[Taxman]

I'm am not an expert on what the effective range for a "takedown" or to stop an attacker would be with #4s or #6s, but I have been peppered with them from over a hundred yards away and they ain't fun! Some of the instructors on here can help!

[JCole]

Here's a link to some field penetration testing done on the Judge using shotshells and .45 Colt. I don't think any size bird shot is going to be a 'takedown' shot at anything much over point blank range. A quick look at prices on larger-pellet .410 bore shotshell prices seemed comparable if not more expensive than .45 Colt. Personally, I'd use .45 for home defense and carry, and save the shotshells for snakes. I hope you find what you're after.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

[Oldgringo]

#6 shot may not be a 'Take Down' at 10 yards depending on what the perp was wearing but I'll guarantee you that his/her attention will be diverted long enough for you to move in for a face/eye/neck/ear shot. Try it out on a heavy cardboard box once you get the gun. You'll see what I mean.

If this post seems a bit graphic, well that's the way it is....when you're trying to defend you and yours.

Good luck and God Bless.

[Greybeard]

Save the birdshot for the birds. Upright 2-legged varmints need at least the 3 pellet loads of buck shot. Better still, the 45 Colt solid.

[Oldgringo]

Save the birdshot for the birds. Upright 2-legged varmints need at least the 3 pellet loads of buck shot. Better still, the 45 Colt solid.

if one is a proficient pistolero; otherwise,....

[k5dmb]

Another thought on effective range for the .410 is the fact the rifling imparts a centrifugal force (gets that shot cup spinning) and increases the shot patern size considerably. I think within 10 FEET it is very effective; outside that you might be happiest if every other round was 45 Colt. Kinda of the best of both worlds.