Winchester developed their PDX1 410 ammo for the Judge. Although TTAG has yet to test the ammo in Taurus’ big ass revolver, we’ve heard nothing but good things about it performance in that application. But we wanted to know how Winchester’s combo of three plated cylinder projectiles and 12 plated BBs would perform in a .410-firing tactical shotgun. Theoretically, PDX1 410 ammo could give new life to the deeply unloved genre; low-recoil and lethality in a shotgun being a good mix for women, teenagers and/or elderly folk. Winchester marketing maven Jason Gilbertson admitted that the company didn’t have a clue how that might—or might not—work. In fact, they didn’t even know there was such a thing as a Mossberg HS 410. There is. We bought one. The guys at Olin kindly shipped us a couple of boxes of PDX1 410. And off to American Firearms School we went. It was a marriage made in whatever place they made my first union.
Note: this was a semi-scientific test at approximately seven yards. But one thing’s for sure: while some of the 12 BBs follow the plated discs where you aim the gun, not all of them do. There were flyers aplenty. And they flew in random patterns: low, high, left, right.
Shame. BBs are an excellent idea in terms of limiting dangerous over-penetration (i.e. hitting someone behind the target)—especially when compared to a handgun or rifle round. But if some of the shot are missing the target completely, that’s not great either.
Usually, but not always, a home defender would aim at center mass. If shot with the PDX1 410′s multiple projectiles, an attacker’s multiple wounds would bring them down faster than if they’d suffered one centralized physical insult. So you want SOME spread. And a combo of big and small metal objects should be inherently effective. But again, out test tell us Winchester ammo’s projectiles are not tightly gathered enough to offer sufficient chance that they’ll all hit the target.
Winchester’s ammo man is calling in ASAP. We’ll either incorporate his comments here or start a new post to reflect any new information. Suffice it to say, Winchester PDX1 410 ammunition was designed specifically for the Taurus Judge, which has a rifled barrel. Shotguns are smooth bore. (We know you knew that.)
Bottom line: I don’t recommend using Winchester’s newfangled shotshell in a 410 shotgun for home defense in the Mossberg HS 410. Although the steel discs may offer some advantages for trauma creation, Winchester 410 buckshot also makes three serious holes, without the flyers. In any case, we look forward to Judging the PDX1 410 shell in Taurus’ product. And I reckon it’s time to look again at a 20 gauge for a smaller person’s home defense shotgun.
I would like to see how well this ammor performs in the "Circut Judge" a revolver carbine with a 16" barrel with rifling in the barrel.
Best wishes
NukemJim
Too bad, I had hopes for this as the perfect combination of an easy to use shotgun with decent ammo that is hard to come by in a 410.
By the way, I have been looking at the HS 410 for awhile, nowhere to try it, and have trying to decide if it would be a decent HD SG for my wife, who wont shoot a 12G (and not looking forward to trying a 20G).
I noticed there was no review on the gun itself, other than the fact you are now giving it away. Do you have any opinions on the gun? Or should I read between the lines?
2 quick comments: 1st for home defense my wife (and I as well) loves her 20 guage. She's 105lbs, petite and had 2 previous back surgeries but has no issues with the 20g. #3 or 4 buck give a nice spread and lethality w/out ending up in the neighbors' house 3 doors down.
2nd enjoy my Judge public defender, but haven't tried this winchester ammo yet due to it always selling out. I currently load 3 shells of 4 000 buck and 2 double tap 45s…figure if the first 3 shotshells don't end it, I'll have hopefully scambled away and need a better placed full power 45…my 2 cents
"Shotguns are smooth bore. (We know you knew that.)"
Correction: Most shotguns have a smooth bore.
I think that the Mossberg 410 HS has what they call a spreader on it, maybe that’s why the shot in your test wasn’t consistent. Maybe you could try it in something with a cylinder choke.
In the video you’ll see that the reason the ammo is acting the way it is,is because of the “Spreader Choke” on the muzzle of the 500 HS.
If you would like to see the true potential of the ammo and weapon combonation try using a stocked Mossberg model 50455 the open choke should show you the error of the vid makers ways by keeping the pattern tighter.
This ammo is absolutely lethal in the Taurus Public Defender. I love it. I have a polymer version and it is quite the load. This will be all I carry in this revolver. Wal-Mart carries it…CHEAP…and readily available.
I have gone through several boxes of the .410 Winchester PDX1, fired in my Judge and for the most part I am satisfied with the potential in regards to close range survival. The one thing that really concerns me is that about one shell in every box, fails to discharge. This could be a real disaster in a combat situation. I’ve confirmed that it is not the same cylinder that this is happening in and I have gone through many boxes of .45 ammo and never had a misfire. Has there been any other reports of misfires with the .410 Winchesters? Also, is there any dangers in using .410 PDX1 in a .410 Snake Charmer II?