An Ammunition First

by
posted on August 6, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wiley-clapp.jpg

The stock number “S41045PD” is for an ammunition product from Winchester. While the company has offered what shooters need since the frontier days, this product is a first for the company. Intended for use in a revolver, Winchester have combined two different calibers in one box. It is a combo pack of 10 rounds of .410 shotgun shells and 10 rounds of .45 Colt cartridges, intended for the very popular Taurus Judge and S&W Governor revolvers. Both rounds will fire in either gun and, at close ranges, the terminal effect is formidable.

A year or so back, I did a very detailed evaluation of special .410 loads for use in these unique new revolvers. After several shooting sessions, I was able to determine that this .410 load patterned better than all the others. It uses three solid “Defense Discs” atop 12 BB shot. The BBs tend to pattern around the point of impact of the discs. There’s also ten .45 Colt cartridges, in which we see 225-grain hollow points at 850 fps-a time tested recipe for stopping fights.

It’s very different packaging for special purpose ammo. Interestingly enough, the black, almost cubical box takes a typical twenty-hole styrofoam tray. Ten holes take the long .410 shotshells; the other ten are for the .45 Colt cartridges. Above the latter, there is a bit of extra space that the maker partitions off with folded bit of tagboard. Maybe even enough for a few rounds of .45 ACP; after all, the Governor is a triple-caliber defense revolver.

Some jurisdictions prohibit the possession and use of a shotgun/revolver, so check your local statutes before using one.

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Nula Model 20 1
Gotw Wilson Combat Nula Model 20 1

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat NULA Model 20

In our latest "Gun Of The Week" segment, we’re taking a closer look at Wilson Combat’s NULA Model 20, a lightweight, bolt-action hunting rifle that incorporates innovations first pioneered by the “rifle wizard of West Virginia."

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 2, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: DoubleTap Ammunition SnakeShot Defense

Combining a payload of shot with a light-for-caliber bullet, DoubleTap Ammunition's new SnakeShot Defense load provides a do-it-all cartridge designed to function reliably in semi-automatic actions.

ERGO Grips Walks To Help End Alzheimer's

ERGO Grips joined thousands of walkers nationwide this fall for the annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's. Team ERGO walked in loving memory of company founder Stephen Hines and his wife, Barbara, both of whom battled dementia in their later years.

Ruger Introduces Harrier AR-15 Rifles

Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced the launch of Ruger Harrier rifles, a completely re-engineered line of modern sporting rifles that represents the company's latest evolution in AR-pattern firearms.

I Have This Old Gun: Westley Richards "Monkey Tail" Carbine

In the mid-19th century, Westley Richards, a British firm, developed a breechloading cavalry carbine that, due to its unique mechanism, earned the name "Monkey Tail" carbine.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.