I have been thinking about getting a Judge or PD. I like the Judge Magnum for the 3" cylinder thinking the ammo selection might be better. Can any 410 ammo be used in the Judge as long as the shell fits in the cylinder? With the cost of 410 ammo already being expensive, I hope special ammo isn't needed.
Can Any 410 Ammo be Used in Judge?
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You can shoot pretty much anything that fits (although don't try jamming a 3" shell into a 2.5" chamber). While .410 slugs will fit, they won't shoot well because the gun is chambered in 45. As far as "special" ammo goes, Federal makes 410 000 buck rounds for pistols which goes for about $0.70 a round. If you want to take it to the range and work on your marksmanship, I'd recommend getting any flavor of 45 LC. I personally use MagTech cowboy loads at about $0.50 per round.
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I've got a Mag and as far as .410, I can use any Federal or Winchester, non-ribbed shells in either length. Don't waste your money on designer ammo, 000 Buck is accurate and a still relatively tight spread at SD range and a bit beyond. Mine doesn't like metal cases either, they don't jam tight like the plastic, ribbed jobbies but usually have to be lightly bumped with a pencil to get 'em out. As for the LCs, only issue I ever had was with the Hydra Shok because after firing, the primers of most would jam the cylinder. If you seriously want to shoot .45LC, you're better off to get a gun designed specifically for it. The Judge is just a .410 with the capability to shoot LCs only to circumvent legal issues.
I like to carry #4 Buck for snakes and varmints, though #9 shot holds pretty tight out to SD range and gives better odds on snakes. Although some claim you're not supposed to do it, I've had better accuracy with 1/4 oz .410 rifled slugs than the LCs, 1/5 oz were about on par with the LCs. You should keep in mind that at least the older Judges, were terribly inconsistent on what they'd shoot from model to model. I've seen from other threads on here that even the same model Judges, may differ slightly on the ammo they'll accept. I advise cautious experimentation to find what works best in yours. As a rule though, the smooth cased Federals and Winchesters seem to work well in all Judge Mags.
I like to carry #4 Buck for snakes and varmints, though #9 shot holds pretty tight out to SD range and gives better odds on snakes. Although some claim you're not supposed to do it, I've had better accuracy with 1/4 oz .410 rifled slugs than the LCs, 1/5 oz were about on par with the LCs. You should keep in mind that at least the older Judges, were terribly inconsistent on what they'd shoot from model to model. I've seen from other threads on here that even the same model Judges, may differ slightly on the ammo they'll accept. I advise cautious experimentation to find what works best in yours. As a rule though, the smooth cased Federals and Winchesters seem to work well in all Judge Mags.
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I can speak from a bit of experience. Over the last 7 years I have owned several Judge's, and perform maintenance on them locally. The bottom line is , yes you can shoot any 410 that fits. But...I know there is always a but..For close range varmint control any 410 will work. But do not expect any kind of good pattern with bird shot beyond 15 feet. The rifling in the Judge barrel spreads the shot big time. Personally I won't shoot 410 from a Judge that has higher than 1150 FPS. Both for my old wrist pain and wear and tear on the frame. If you want to get fair accuracy stick with the slower 410 loads made for a handgun. Federal, Hornady and Winchester makes some that work ok.
As far as 45LC, I get respectable accuracy at 15 yards (about 4 inch group) at 25 yards that group will open up to about 5 inches using factory loads both normal and cowboy. I also have developed a 45LC load that will even eek out better accuracy than factory loads. I use a 250GRN SWC under 5.2 grains of Trailboss. It is very mild to shoot and quite accurate from the 2.5 - 3 inch Judge barrels. One last caveat. I have not owned a Poly Judge, therefore I have no personal experience shooting warm 410 ammo in one. But have heard concerns about shooting 410 loads above 1300 FPS over the long term.
As far as 45LC, I get respectable accuracy at 15 yards (about 4 inch group) at 25 yards that group will open up to about 5 inches using factory loads both normal and cowboy. I also have developed a 45LC load that will even eek out better accuracy than factory loads. I use a 250GRN SWC under 5.2 grains of Trailboss. It is very mild to shoot and quite accurate from the 2.5 - 3 inch Judge barrels. One last caveat. I have not owned a Poly Judge, therefore I have no personal experience shooting warm 410 ammo in one. But have heard concerns about shooting 410 loads above 1300 FPS over the long term.
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You should be able to load any .410 the pistol is chambered for. Keep in mind, the pistol is intended and designed for self defense, which is typically pretty close, like 7-10 yards or closer. So, evaluating or judging what shoots best in your Judge will need to be done with those distances in mind. I prefer #4 for the first shot, 000 Buck for the second and .45 LC for the third, fourth, and fifth for woods carry. Straight up 000 Buck for home defense.
Obviously, since the barrel is sized and rifled for .45 caliber projectiles, it should shoot .45LC better than .41 caliber or smaller projectiles. Some have like the disc loads, others ball shot, and others mixed loads. Each person's situation and firearms are going to be different. What shoots well in mine might not shoot so well in yours.
Obviously, since the barrel is sized and rifled for .45 caliber projectiles, it should shoot .45LC better than .41 caliber or smaller projectiles. Some have like the disc loads, others ball shot, and others mixed loads. Each person's situation and firearms are going to be different. What shoots well in mine might not shoot so well in yours.
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The knock on the Judge in the very beginning was that the velocity of .410 ammo was really bad coming out of the short barrel. It took a year or two before Federal, Winchester, and Remington came out with self defense ammo that fixed that issue. So, while you can shoot 2.5 inch .410 ammo in any Judge, don't expect all things to be equal when it comes to results and viability.
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I have had my Judge for a number of years now. I opted for the 2.5" chamber because it gets just a little better accuracy with the .45LC. IMO, the 3" cylinder has too much throat for the bullet to jump for any degree of accuracy, JMHO. Mine is also a rare 4" barreled version. I really don't think this has much effect on the shot gun rounds, because that rifled barrel is not what shotgun rounds are looking for when they designed them. But my BIL owns a trap range and he told me they have had a guy who comes out shooting a 6.5" Judge with good results. He said it tends to wow the other shooters.
I have never looked at whether a .410 shotgun round was high velocity, or not. What I do look for is: 1. Hardened, or plated shot. Soft shot in the Judge deforms soft shot in the rifling causing it to sail. I have seen a Judge shooting .410 #000 buck shot (soft shot) only land one pellet on target at 5 FEET, not yards, but feet. If you go with soft shot, no matter the size or power, accuracy will be terrible. 2. A shot cup is very good. The shot cup Federal puts in their PD #000 Buck with copper plated shot is good enough that at 25 yards it will put all the pellets in the 8 ring on a B-25 full silhouette target with my Judge. I have found almost all trap, skeet, or clays .410 loads (#8, #8 1/2, #9) are hardened shot.
This time of year, my Judge stays loaded with these clays rounds because of the snakes. I typically kill 6-8 snakes, almost all Copperheads, every summer. A few years ago, I took out one that was a good 20 feet above me up in a tree with one shot. BTW, these loads are also good against tree rats too. Now I think the Federal PD Handgun #000 Buckshot in 2.5" .410 is the best SD load on the market. I routinely put all the pellets in the 8 ring with my Judge at 25 yards. If presented with a shot on a deer at 25 yards, I would not hesitate to use my Judge on it. At home defense ranges, you are probably going to have one big hole. Do not waste your time with .410 slug loads, you are always better off using .45LC instead. I use Speer 250 grain Gold Dots in my Judge and I get good accuracy at 25 yards shooting off hand standing unsupported.
Oh, BTW, several of my neighbors who have seen me use my Judge on snakes, have gone out and bought themselves a Judge.
My Judge.
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I have never looked at whether a .410 shotgun round was high velocity, or not. What I do look for is: 1. Hardened, or plated shot. Soft shot in the Judge deforms soft shot in the rifling causing it to sail. I have seen a Judge shooting .410 #000 buck shot (soft shot) only land one pellet on target at 5 FEET, not yards, but feet. If you go with soft shot, no matter the size or power, accuracy will be terrible. 2. A shot cup is very good. The shot cup Federal puts in their PD #000 Buck with copper plated shot is good enough that at 25 yards it will put all the pellets in the 8 ring on a B-25 full silhouette target with my Judge. I have found almost all trap, skeet, or clays .410 loads (#8, #8 1/2, #9) are hardened shot.
This time of year, my Judge stays loaded with these clays rounds because of the snakes. I typically kill 6-8 snakes, almost all Copperheads, every summer. A few years ago, I took out one that was a good 20 feet above me up in a tree with one shot. BTW, these loads are also good against tree rats too. Now I think the Federal PD Handgun #000 Buckshot in 2.5" .410 is the best SD load on the market. I routinely put all the pellets in the 8 ring with my Judge at 25 yards. If presented with a shot on a deer at 25 yards, I would not hesitate to use my Judge on it. At home defense ranges, you are probably going to have one big hole. Do not waste your time with .410 slug loads, you are always better off using .45LC instead. I use Speer 250 grain Gold Dots in my Judge and I get good accuracy at 25 yards shooting off hand standing unsupported.
Oh, BTW, several of my neighbors who have seen me use my Judge on snakes, have gone out and bought themselves a Judge.
My Judge.
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The Judge can generally handle a selection of .410 shells about as well as your average semiautomatic pistol can handle a selection of cartridges. In other words, much like how one should test any ammo they plan on using for self-defense in a semiautomatic pistol, the same rings true of the Judge.
That being said, ammo which was designed with the Judge (or handguns in general) in mind will obviously function/perform more reliably on average than a standard shell which was designed for a shotgun with an 18"+ smoothbore barrel. So when it comes to self-defense, I would highly recommend sticking with something like Federal Premium .410 Handgun 000 Buck, reserving cheaper standard .410 ammo for fun at the range.
That being said, ammo which was designed with the Judge (or handguns in general) in mind will obviously function/perform more reliably on average than a standard shell which was designed for a shotgun with an 18"+ smoothbore barrel. So when it comes to self-defense, I would highly recommend sticking with something like Federal Premium .410 Handgun 000 Buck, reserving cheaper standard .410 ammo for fun at the range.
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Shotgun powders burn fast. In fact, many handgun powders are just shotgun powders. Green dot works great in .38 special. Blue dot is a slower powder that often works in magnum handgun calibers. These are actually shotgun powders. 
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For defense, I use Hornady Critical Defense with the 41 caliber expending hollow point bullet and two 35 caliber balls. Winchester PDX-1 is good to seven yards. I use 45 LC for range practice.
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Heck no, and please don't try it! Never ever load any cartridge into a gun that it wasn't designed to shoot. .45-70 Government is a Rifle Cartridge with pressures 2x that of the low pressure .45LC or .410 Bore Shotshells that it was designed to shoot. (28,000psi vs 14,000psi)
If you want .45-70 level performance out of a Judge, then buy a Raging Judge and shoot .454 Casull out of it.
That being said, .45 Long Colt is a far more effective round than anyone gives it credit for, capable of putting out energy on par with that of .45 Super in full SAAMI Spec Standard Pressure loads, thus placing in in the same class as .357 Magnum or 10mm Auto, but with substantally lower chamber pressures, and you'll never catch anyone calling either of those two cartridges weak, not unless they're massively compensating for something anyway.
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I was pretty sure that it wouldn't fit, but with Taurus' loose tolerances, I've heard of a few cases of folks getting a variety of cartridge to fit into the cylinder of the Judge, including .454 Casull and even .460 S&W Magnum. Fortunately, in such cases the owner was wise enough to know that this wasn't intentional and would be very dangerous to shoot.
So I was merely operating under the possibility that he might have a Judge with extremely sloppy fit which could somehow fit a .45-70 into the cylinder.
So I was merely operating under the possibility that he might have a Judge with extremely sloppy fit which could somehow fit a .45-70 into the cylinder.
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You really don't want to try to shove a .458" bullet down a .451" bore. In technical parlance, 'very bad things' will happen. Like bursting the barrel- probably starting at the forcing cone because you aren't squeezing a bullet down 7 thousandths that fast without something failing- and don't forget, you will be holding it in your hand right in front of your face while it happens.
That leaves off the fact that Tuco pointed out- .45-70 works at twice the pressure under normal circumstances. Too bad that .458" diameter bullet is going to seal the throat of the chamber up tight (since the throats are probably around .4525" or so) and stay there since it can't fit down the .451" bore. You know that big long cylinder? Can you say, 'grenade'?
Remember, all of this splitting and grenading is going on while you are holding it in your and right in front of your face.
Maybe you need to go buy a BFR instead. Or, at least, one of the Magnum Judges so you can run .454Casulls that are hotter than .45-70's through it.
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I wanted to shoot some custom made 45 Colts rounds so bad that I had to buy a Judge exclusively to do so, as a normal 45 Colt gun will not chamber them. Yes I bought the rounds and then went looking for a gun to shoot them from. The Judge Magnum, IMHO, stood above all the other options. This round is 1.9" long and will not chamber in any normal 45Colt or even 454 Casual guns, but the Judges elongated cylinder allows for this. To be honest it was the Judges extended cylinder that spawned the creation of this round (i.e. - it was created specifically for the Judge).
Many, including me, have called the Judge a gimmick gun and perhaps rightfully so, but until they make a so-called real gun that cambers this specific round I'll have no choose but to stick with the Judge.
If I was a gun manufacturer I would make a gun custom for this round alone. Yes I am talking to you - Ruger / Taurus / S&W / Marlin / Rossi / Winchester / etc... / etc... / etc...
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As many have stated before, ammo made exclusive for a particular gun will work far better than ammo made for other guns in particular.
That being said, it is best to use only USA made shot shells in you Taurus as some foreign shells are a bit longer and will extend into the forcing cone once shot, whereby locking the cylinder from rotating.
Also worth mentioning is that different shot shells swell up in the cylinder worse than others making them hard to extract. I have a Judge Magnum with a 3" cylinder and have found that the 3" shot shells tend to hang until pushed back out 1/2", and then they get easy from there to remove the rest of the way. And I figure from others comments that it rings true with the 2 1/2" cylinders of the Judge Public Defender as well. Now while some USA manufacturers may make shot shells that hang up less than others, I think I figured out how to avoid this issue all together, and that is by using the shorter 2 1/2" shot shell in Judges with the 3" cylinders, being the shells are already 1/2" shorter whereby they should not get stuck in the part of the cylinder that starts necking down to make sure the shot is lined up with the forcing cone. My point being that the 2 1/2" shells are too short to go there in the 3" cylinders whereby one can negate this issue all together. As for the Judges with the 2 1/2" cylinder I guess one could try and find some 2" shot shells to bypass such a sticky mess too.
And last but not least no 3" shells will chamber within a 2 1/2 cylinder, just saying. Please don't shoot me over this one, and I will not judge you for wanting to put shot shells in a pistol in the first place (considering a 45 Colt will chamber🤠).
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go to ammoseek.com, click or type in .410 bore and you'll get all the available .410 ammo offerings.
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