Just curious if anyone has ever shortened the plastic 410 shells to fit into a single action 45 Long Colt revolver. It seems like it could be done relatively easily, and if so, I'd like to make up a couple boxes to have around for varmints like possum/skunk.

Anyone here ever done it?

I know I can buy 45LC shotshells, but what's the fun in that?
I figured shortening 410 shells would be cheaper, and maybe give me something fun to do on a rainy day!

Yes, my dad used to do it all the time.
He'd load them, put a thin cardboard wad over the shot charge then seal them with wax.
Worked like a champ on snakes and other vermin.

Thanks, HTDUCK!

My 45 American derringer will take the 2.5 or is it 3" 410 shells. Same as judge and some others.

How short do u cut them.?

About 1/8 inch shorter than the cylinder for a revolver.

You can buy 45LC (colt) with bird shoot rounds (CCI). The ones I have have a semi-clear blue plastic nose and you can see the shot inside. If you still plan to cut down .410 shot shells, the overall cartridge length of a loaded 45LC is 1.6in. So your shot shell would have to be to that spec. But the pinch is that is the uncrimped length. So you cut to 1.6 inches then load and crimp.

But a better approach if you want to load your own would be to buy some brass .410 cases (yes they do make them) and using a case trimmer trim to the 1.6 length. You can then prime, fill with shotgun powder, a filler wad disc followed by shot size of choice (I would recommend using shot buffer also), then one more filler wad disc tamp and a light roll crimp to hold the final wad disc. If you plan on storing for any time I would then dip the end in a sealing wax to keep any chance of moisture getting in.

I can't seem to find my cartridges of the world book, but I am sure there is a brass cartridge that meets the same specs for rim and diameter that is longer and could be trimmed down also.
But the .410 brass used to be easy to find. And for a long time you could buy import brass case .410 shells cheap (but not sure on the primer type these would be).

Oh if you have trouble finding .410 brass and want to have some extra fun in stepping out of the box so to say. Try this idea in the link http://gunlore.awardspace.info/shotgun/fourten.htm

After you get to the rough .410 then trim to 1.6" and load.