The initial shotshell Taurus test was not without a bit of

wonder. I got some very strange chrono readings. One noted here was 1425 fps and it was a little hotter than the others I had predicted to be at 900-1000 based on my data calculations. Another read 175 fps and felt like 800. How do you get a chrono to "lie", must have been a long shot string or something.

My base wadding needs improvement as does a better and more consistent crimp. The brass was forming a little step down and a couple set back a little, locking up things for a bit. Not enough pressure to flatten and grab chamber walls so it jets to the recoil shield then blows out to iron itself in place. Not not too bad.

I shot plates at 15 yds. (note do not use wooden oak pallets as backstops - shot myself even at an angle) My loads, while unrefined and raw, totally shamed factory .410 shotshells that cost about $1.50 each. I shot the lower right plate TWICE with factory shotshells, #8 listed at 1300 fps, they averaged 1000 fps. First shot got TWO hits on a 8" plate at 15 yds! Second shot only added 6 more. Totally crap and worthless except maybe 10-15 ft. Or clearing the deck of a Pirate ship.

I used a mix of #5 & 6 shot a friend gave me. I averaged 16 hits per plate. I do think the velocity was around 800-850 fps, not too far off my prediction given the crimps were not as good as I hoped. Brass is not totally blown out to chamber dimensions. Real snake killers and useful, just need refinement.

My notes are that I need a more solid or thicker base wad. The shot really greased the forcing cone with lead too, what a mess. I'm thinking a .410 plastic wad would be a useful addition. The bore is greased with lead too. I'd rather clean out plastic fouling over lead any day.

I only had one case with a small mouth split. I'll trim it out. Test one sharpened my sense of the requirements. I'll make another run at it.