Taurus judge, opinions on ammo

[RightPlace-RightTime]

New to being an owner to a Taurus judge. 3-in barrel. Wanted to know everybody's a overall opinion on the ammo from the 45 Long Colt and 410. What brand load etc. As far as the 410 goes what one for best accuracy distance and spread. Home defense and snake and grouse reasons. All opinions and thoughts welcome

[ghosthunter]

Take it out with different loads and pattern it. They have a center spot with no bbs. Like a donut. With bird shot!

For home I use PDX defense loads and slugs.

Out hunting I mix up bird shot,PDX and 45 colt.

Lots of folks disc.  them, but love mine, killed several grouse with it.
My all round camp and truck gun is a Circuit Judge.

I have owned mine seven years no issues.

[Rugergunsite308]

I’ve had the public defender for years with the super short barrel. Birdshot is mostly spray and pray out of it. But for point blank snakes it’s my favorite.

[EnglishSetter]

I have a circuit judge.  I wouldn't be confident beyond a dozen yards on a grouse (#6).  The rifling in the barrel really disrupts the shot.  I doubt the short barrel of the Judge does better.

Snakes, any bird shot (like #8) at 10' or so.

HD, #000 Buck if shotshell.

Mine pretty much lives in the RV as a "survival" gun.  Have taken a few small critters for "camp meat".

The little "plug" to reduce capacity to 3 rounds prolly wouldn't pass muster for game bird pursuit.  But that broaches on the whole "it's not a shotgun because it has rifling", yet as a rifle it's larger than 25 caliber (I guess that's just an issue during big game season).   I'd be curious if there's cases/litigation/discussion with DFW on this.

[Pegasus]

Useless on grouse unless the barrel is pressed against their head. Grouse maiming machines. Watched one of my buddies shoot at least eight grouse less than twenty feet away and all but one flew away. Should be banned. Always thought I would get one but after watching one in action I crossed it off from my bucket list.

[ghosthunter]

Useless on grouse unless the barrel is pressed against their head. Grouse maiming machines. Watched one of my buddies shoot at least eight grouse less than twenty feet away and all but one flew away. Should be banned. Always thought I would get one but after watching one in action I crossed it off from my bucket list.

I have killed several grouse with mine. No issues.

[Shoofly09]

I bought a 3" barrel Judge as a snake gun.   Quickly found out that a 2.5" shot shell in a 3" barrel wasn't the ticket.   I shot at so many snakes and didn't kill them that my dad told me I should carry a shovel instead.

Then I bought one with a 6" barrel.   Incredible difference.  I can shoot clay pigeons with dove loads or target loads.

The 3" stays by the bed with self defense ammo.     The 6" is a pain to carry but it fits nicely in a kenei chest holster.

[PsoasHunter]

Useless on grouse unless the barrel is pressed against their head. Grouse maiming machines. Watched one of my buddies shoot at least eight grouse less than twenty feet away and all but one flew away. Should be banned. Always thought I would get one but after watching one in action I crossed it off from my bucket list.

I have killed several grouse with mine. No issues.

What length barrell and what type of ammo?

[ghosthunter]

Useless on grouse unless the barrel is pressed against their head. Grouse maiming machines. Watched one of my buddies shoot at least eight grouse less than twenty feet away and all but one flew away. Should be banned. Always thought I would get one but after watching one in action I crossed it off from my bucket list.

I have killed several grouse with mine. No issues.

What length barrell and what type of ammo?

I shoot the regular Judge, 3 inch cylinder, 3 inch barrel.

The ones I have killed were close , 20 ft or less. It does shoot a donut so I don’t aim straight on.
Usually I am walking a ridge elk hunting and one runs out from a bush close to me. Those fat ones stop and check me out. Gives me time. You can’t shoot them farther than that.

I never see snakes ,but my guess you would be better off with PDX loads on snakes.

Shooting this stuff now.

I usually load two 410 and three 45 colt. Just in case.

[RightPlace-RightTime]

Thank YOU all for the input and your experience with it 👍

[Shoofly09]

to ghosthunters point....     It's nice to have a gun you can load different rounds in sequential order.     

birdshot, birdshot, large pellets, 45 slug, 45 slug

[ghosthunter]

to ghosthunters point....     It's nice to have a gun you can load different rounds in sequential order.     

birdshot, birdshot, large pellets, 45 slug, 45 slug

Exactly ,a few years back I got hung up on that path, started with a Judge,then a Circuit Judge, than a Bond Ranger ll, than a Bond Texas Defender.

All take 45 colt or 410 as a mix. I also have a 9mm and 380 barrels to match my other carry  guns.

I recently bought a Pietta 1860 Colt Army and plan to shoot 44 round ball and bird shot mix.
The bird shot is challenging but I am hoping to dial it in for in close grouse during muzzy elk.

I like to switch out on my safe of guns. For conceal carry driving it’s the Bonds in a Double shoulder rig.
Hiking modern deer or bear it’s the Judge tucked in my bino  harness.
Muzzy elk, the Colt Army until I get tired of the weight.

The Judge is versatile with in its limits.