Hornady Critical Defense 410 Bore 2-1/2" FTX Slug & 35 Cal Lead Round Balls - 20 Rounds

The Hornady Critical Defense 410 Bore 2-1/2" shotshell is purpose-built for home defense and personal protection with a load that delivers predictable performance in close-quarters scenarios. Unlike standard 410 loads, this round stacks a multi-projectile approach: one 41-caliber FTX slug seated above two 35-caliber lead round balls. That three-projectile column is designed to keep all shots on a man-sized target at seven yards, giving you multiple wound channels with a single trigger press—a real advantage in a defensive firearm with the .410's naturally tighter patterns.

The FTX slug is where Hornady's defensive expertise shows. Its Flex Tip design engages the rifling in your bore and approaches the target nose-on, allowing the tip to work as designed for controlled expansion. The two 35-caliber balls are cold-swaged from high-antimony lead, which resists deformation and maintains penetration through intermediate barriers and soft tissue alike. That combination of expansion and penetration is what separates a defensive load from plinking ammo.

The 410 is a natural fit for shooters who favor lighter recoil, shorter sight radius, or compact firearms—and Critical Defense amplifies its defensive utility by removing the guesswork about what to load. Each box contains 20 rounds, giving you a practical quantity for practice or storage without excess.

Key Features

• Triple Defense projectile column: one FTX slug and two 35-caliber lead round balls per round
• 41-caliber FTX slug with Flex Tip technology for controlled expansion
• High-antimony, cold-swaged lead balls resist deformation and penetrate reliably
• Engineered for effective shot grouping on target at seven yards
• Purpose-designed for home defense and personal protection scenarios
• Loaded in 2-1/2" shotshell case
• 20 rounds per box

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the load configuration—how many projectiles do I get per round?

Each round contains three projectiles: one 41-caliber FTX slug seated above two 35-caliber lead round balls. This triple-projectile design is unique to the Critical Defense 410 and is intended to place multiple shots on target with a single trigger press.

Will the FTX slug engage the rifling in my .410?

Yes. The 41-caliber FTX slug is specifically sized to engage your gun's rifling and approach the target nose-on, allowing the Flex Tip to perform its expansion function as designed.

What are the lead round balls made of?

The 35-caliber round balls are made from high-antimony, cold-swaged lead. This material resists deformation during firing and provides dependable penetration through various barriers.

Is this load suitable for hunting with a .410?

This round is engineered for home defense and personal protection scenarios. For hunting applications, consult your local regulations and firearm manufacturer recommendations.