The .410 is the smallest common shotgun bore, and Winchester loads more kinds of it than most makers. You can buy Winchester 410 ammo for skeet, squirrels, doves, ducks, turkeys, deer and home defense. Some of it is built for shotguns. Some is built for revolvers that chamber both .410 and .45 Colt. This guide sorts the Winchester .410 loads at Bulk Ammo Vault by the job you have in mind.
Payload, shot size, pellet counts and velocity come from Winchester’s published data.
The full Winchester .410 lineup
| Load | Line | Shell | Payload | Shot size | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester AA 410 Target 2-1/2 in. #9 | AA Target | 2-1/2 in. | 1/2 oz | #9 | 1,200 fps |
| Winchester AA Super Sport 410 Sporting Clays #8 | AA Super Sport Sporting Clays | 2-1/2 in. | 1/2 oz | #8 | 1,300 fps |
| Winchester Super X 410 High Brass 2-1/2 in. #4 | Super X High Brass | 2-1/2 in. | 1/2 oz | #4 | 1,245 fps |
| Winchester Xpert Game and Target 410 Steel #6 | Xpert Game and Target | 3 in. | 3/8 oz | #6 | 1,400 fps |
| Winchester Xpert 410 #7 Steel Game & Target | Xpert Steel Game & Target | 3 in. | 3/8 oz | #7 | 1,400 fps |
| Winchester Bismuth 410 3 in. #5 5/8 oz | Bismuth | 3 in. | 5/8 oz | #5 | 1,300 fps |
| Winchester Double X 410 Diamond Grade #7-1/2 Shotshells | Double X Diamond Grade Turkey | 3 in. | 3/4 oz | #7-1/2 | 1,100 fps |
| Winchester TSS 410 Long Beard Turkey Shotshells #9 | Long Beard TSS | 3 in. | 13/16 oz | #9 | 1,100 fps |
| Winchester Last Call TSS 410 3 in. #9 1/2 oz | Last Call TSS | 3 in. | 1/2 oz | #9 | not listed |
| Winchester 410 000 Buck Super X 2-1/2 in. | Super X | 2-1/2 in. | — | #000 Buck | 1,135 fps |
| Winchester Super X 410 Buckshot 3 in. 000 Buck | Super X | 3 in. | — | #000 Buck | 1,135 fps |
| Winchester PDX1 410 Defender 2-1/2 in. Copper Plated | PDX1 Defender | 2-1/2 in. | 1/4 oz | BB | 750 fps |
| PDX1 410 3 Inch Winchester Defender Shotshells | PDX1 Defender | 3 in. | 1/3 oz | BB | 750 fps |
| PDX1 410 45 Colt Combo Winchester Defender | PDX1 Defender Combo Pack | 2-1/2 in. | 1/4 oz | BB | not listed |
| Winchester 410 Rifled Slug 2-1/2 in. 1/5 oz Super X | Super X | 2-1/2 in. | 1/5 oz | — | 1,830 fps |
| Winchester Super X 410 Slug 3 in. 1/4 oz Rifled | Super X | 3 in. | 1/4 oz | — | 1,800 fps |
A quick note on shell length. The .410 comes in 2-1/2 and 3 inch shells. A 3 inch shell fits only in a 3 inch chamber. A 2-1/2 inch shell is safe in either. Check the barrel stamp before you buy.
For clays and practice
The .410 is the toughest gauge to shoot well at skeet, and Winchester’s AA line is made for it. The AA Target #9 carries 1/2 oz at 1,200 fps in a 250-round case. The AA Super Sport Sporting Clays #8 steps up to 1,300 fps for longer targets. Either one makes a good teaching load for a young shooter with a single-shot .410.
For squirrels, rabbits and doves
The Super X High Brass #4 is a classic squirrel load. Its bigger #4 pellets hit harder at the edge of .410 range. For doves where lead is legal, a #8 or #9 target load also works on close birds.
Where non-toxic shot is required, Winchester makes steel loads: the Xpert Game and Target #6 and the Xpert #7 Steel, both listing 1,400 fps with 3/8 oz. The Winchester Bismuth #5 carries a heavier 5/8 oz of denser shot. Check your state’s rules on non-toxic shot, and always use it for waterfowl.
For turkey
A .410 for turkey sounds odd until you see TSS. The Long Beard TSS #9 packs 13/16 oz of tungsten super shot, which is far denser than lead. That density lets small pellets keep their punch. Lead options like the Double X Diamond Grade #7-1/2 carry 3/4 oz but need closer shots. Keep every turkey shot inside the range you’ve patterned. For more detail, read our .410 turkey loads guide.
For deer and hogs
Winchester offers two rifled slugs. The 2-1/2 inch Super X 1/5 oz rifled slug lists 1,830 fps. The 3 inch Super X 1/4 oz rifled slug lists 1,800 fps. Super X also makes 000 buckshot: 3 pellets in the 2-1/2 inch shell and 5 in the 3 inch. A .410 slug is a small projectile. Keep shots close, and check whether your state allows a .410 for deer. Many don’t.
For home defense: PDX1 Defender
PDX1 Defender loads were built for .410 revolvers and shotguns. Each shell holds Defense Discs, flat plated discs, plus BB-size pellets.
- PDX1 Defender 2-1/2 inch: 3 Defense Discs plus 12 BBs, 1/4 oz, 750 fps.
- PDX1 Defender 3 inch: 4 Defense Discs plus 16 BBs, 1/3 oz, 750 fps.
- PDX1 .410 and 45 Colt Combo: both rounds in one box for revolvers that chamber both.
The listed 750 fps is modest. These loads were designed with revolvers and short barrels in mind. Laws on self-defense vary, so check your state and local rules. Our .410 self defense ammo guide compares PDX1 with buckshot loads from other makers.
Picking the right Winchester .410 load
- Skeet or a first gun: AA Target.
- Squirrels: Super X High Brass #4.
- Non-toxic small game: Xpert steel or Bismuth.
- Turkey: Long Beard TSS.
- Deer, where legal: Super X rifled slug.
- Defense revolver: PDX1 Defender or the combo pack.
Shop Winchester 410 ammo
See every load above in our Winchester .410 category, or browse all brands in our .410 shotgun shells category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winchester 410 ammo good?
Winchester makes a wide range of .410 loads, from AA target shells to TSS turkey loads and PDX1 Defender. Whether a load is good for you depends on your gun and job. Pattern shot loads on paper and test defensive loads in your own firearm before you rely on them.
What is Winchester PDX1 410 ammo?
PDX1 Defender is Winchester’s .410 defense load. Each shell holds flat plated Defense Discs plus BB-size pellets. The 2-1/2 inch shell has 3 discs and 12 BBs; the 3 inch shell has 4 discs and 16 BBs. Both list 750 fps.
Can you shoot Winchester 410 slugs from a revolver?
Revolvers that chamber .410 shells usually have rifled barrels, and Winchester lists its 1/5 oz Super X slug as suited to smooth or rifled bores. Always follow your revolver maker’s manual on what loads are approved, and confirm the chamber length it accepts.
What Winchester 410 load is best for squirrels?
Many hunters use the Winchester Super X High Brass #4 for squirrels. It carries 1/2 oz of #4 lead shot at 1,245 fps. The larger pellets hit harder at the edge of .410 range than #6 or #7-1/2 shot. Keep shots close and pattern your gun first.
