Shell Size

[BB42 4]

So, Wifey and I have decided we have to have a Saiga .410 in the house (yes, the 12 would be nice, but it's double the money and she'd more likely shoot the .410....loves her .22lr "leever" action) but I want to make sure the ammo I have, and what is available locally, will work.

 

So, I looked at my Golden Bear buckshot and slugs. The #4 buck is 2 3/4" and the slugs are 3", yet the unfired shells are the exact same physical length. And to make things more confusig, both the Federal and Winchester 3" birdshot I have are the exact same length as both Golden Bear loads. What gives?

 

I've read and re-read almost all the postings on this topic, but am still confused. Will the factory magazine feed these different types of ammunition? Or, will I have to find some 2 3/4" magazines?

[bigdaddyhatty 65]

I have not found any ammo that is too big to fit in the factory magazine. Some ammo is too long to fit in high capacity SMG mags. I don't know why some of the golden bear shells say 2¾", I have some golden bear that say 3" and they are the same size. 2½" shells will not feed properly in the factory magazine if it's for 3"(which I think is standard) there are factory (Russian made) 2½ magazines out there, I don't have any and have never used them.

So if you get a Saiga 410 you will be able to shoot any 3" ammo you can get locally. Golden bear is best. Winchester works also works well.

[BB42 4]

So the 2 3/4 Golden Bears are really 3" (I admit, I didn't even measure them)? Those crazy Russians.

[BB42 4]

So I measured both the 2 3/4" and 3" Golden Bears...they're nominally 2 3/4" actual length. Will the factory 4 round mag work with these?

[bigdaddyhatty 65]

Yes. You will not go wrong with a factory mag and golden/silver bear ammo. The only problems are with 2½" shells with factory mags, or some brands of 3" shells being too long to fit in SMG mags. Golden/silver bear ammo also works great in SMG mags.

[Hawaiianbro 1]

Yeah the factory mag should be able to handle any 3" 410 shell.

 

Ive shot Remington Express Birst Shot, Federal 000 Buck shot, Federal #4 Buck shot, Winchester 000.

 

Now I have the Sure Fire 10 round mag and I learned recently that the Federal #4 Buck shot 3" will not fit in that magazine. It fits in the stock magazine.

 

3" Federal 000 Buck shot fits in both magazine

 

I have yet to try PDX-1 410 shot which I will try if I can find it in 3" around my house.