Winchester 410 loads

[pdugas]

Been thinking about taking my Stevens 311  .410 that my Grandpa left me  to Texas on a Rio hunt this year. Winchester makes a 3" , 3/4 oz , #8.5 shell. Would this be a good choice ? It has 26" full/mod. barrels.

[gobblergls]

I would feel more comfortable recommending #7.5 size in lead shot and find the maximum range in which you  have a density of 100 shot in a 10" circle.  Some folks are comfortable with fewer shot, but 100 in the circle is a surefire kill.  You'll probably run out of pattern density before you run out of penetration with the larger shot and vice versa with the smaller shot.