Non toxic shot .410 load

I took the .410 Bore half of a Rossi Matched Pair for a hike yesterday and came back with a couple of cottontails for the pot. It was the first time I tried hunting with a .410 and loved it! Anyway, my wife who has had plenty of experience spitting out shot, asked about non-toxic shot. I got on the interwebs and found some HEVI-shot loads for just over $3.00 apiece (Midway). Does anybody out there know of a less pricy alternative? There were some less expensive shells available but these seemed to contain considerably less shot ie. 3/8 oz. compared to 11/16 oz. I also noticed that the shells were only offered in #7 shot instead of 4 or 5. Is this just the nature of non-toxic shot loads? I don't shoot the .410 enough to justify a press but buying the components and a Lane Reloader would be an option (probably a lot of fun too). A lot of questions here. Any information/guidance is greatly appreciated.

Non-toxic is typically used for waterfowl. And .410 generally isn't going to get the job done for waterfowl. I imagine that is why very little of it is made, why it is so expensive, and why shot size selection is so limited.

The volume of shot in the shell, or the actual quantity of pellets should actually be the same, but it is using a shot material considerably less dense than lead. Which is why the amount of shot weighs less.

Shot my first goose with a .410, 2nd, 3rd and many more. I still use a .410 for opening day pheasants and on guided hunts.

Sometimes you get lucky on gun-deals.com, click on the ammo tab and search the results. I quit buying from midway after they waived their dealer discount schedule...Check out mackspw.com also, i buy a ton of ammo from them when they have it on sale, but you have to be on their mailing list.

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Originally Posted by jhood001

Non-toxic is typically used for waterfowl. And .410 generally isn't going to get the job done for waterfowl. I imagine that is why very little of it is made, why it is so expensive, and why shot size selection is so limited.

The volume of shot in the shell, or the actual quantity of pellets should actually be the same, but it is using a shot material considerably less dense than lead. Which is why the amount of shot weighs less.

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I think I have some .410 in steel. Can't remember who makes it.

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Originally Posted by buckshotbarlow

Shot my first goose with a .410, 2nd, 3rd and many more. I still use a .410 for opening day pheasants and on guided hunts.

Sometimes you get lucky on gun-deals.com, click on the ammo tab and search the results. I quit buying from midway after they waived their dealer discount schedule...Check out mackspw.com also, i buy a ton of ammo from them when they have it on sale, but you have to be on their mailing list.

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Prairie Wings...haven't thought about them in a while. Thanks for the memory. [emoji106]