Fire forming 303 Brass for 410 shells?

[44 minimum]

I have a couple of questions about this but I hope one of you can answer, I am familiar with the article at end times but it does not address my questions.

1 when using new Brass, do i anneal the cases after their fire formed or before?

2 the only powders I have are tight group, bull's eye, and H110, can I use one of these for the fire forming?  And how much?  I know I can use H110 for loading the shot shell its self.

[Tom W.]

 I must have missed something.... What is the relationship between .303 brass and a .410? Surely you don't want to anneal shot shell brass.....

[stimpylu32]

I'm just guessing here but you want to make 410 brass cases from 303 brass ? If that is the case , you will want to anneal before you fireform . I have used Bullseye to fireform before with good results .

May i ask why you are going this route , 410 brass hulls can be had from both Midsouth and Midway very cheaply .

As for the H110 , not sure i would want to load shot shells with it unless you can find good data ( powder company ) stating that it will work .

stimpy

[njanear]

Let me guess... you have a converted SMLE that has not been rechambered for the typical US .410 cartridge and you are looking to load up some shells for it? 

[Savage]

Guess I'm kinda at a loss too. I take it you plan to fire form .303 cases to make brass cases for the .410 bore shotgun. Don't know why you'd want to do that, as .410 shot shells are plentiful and plastic is about as good as it gets! I don't have any answers for you, but I am wondering if a .303 case is long enough to form a 2 1/2" .410 case. I would think the case would have to be cut off at the shoulder before fire forming. I would also think the brass would split when it expanded in the .410 chamber.  Let us know how this turns  out, and what advantages might be gained over using plastic shot shell cases.  I'm really curious now!
Savage

[R.W.Dale]

Let me guess... you have a converted SMLE that has not been rechambered for the typical US .410 cartridge and you are looking to load up some shells for it?

 I'm going to have to side with you on this one.

Just think of how a game warden would ^%^% when he saw you shooting at quail with a SMLE

[quickdtoo]

If a feller has a good supply of 303 brass, it's a lot cheaper than buying 410 brass. Even buying 303 brass 50 for $20 is less than buying 410 brass 25 for $21.

Tim

http://www.endtimesreport.com/410reloading.html

[njanear]

Let me guess... you have a converted SMLE that has not been rechambered for the typical US .410 cartridge and you are looking to load up some shells for it?

 I'm going to have to side with you on this one.

Just think of how a game warden would ^%^% when he saw you shooting at quail with a SMLE

I keep meaning to take my Ishapore '.410' shotgun SMLE out squirrel hunting...

[BCB]

He might have a Contender with a 45/.410 barrel.  And he might not wish to purchase a MEC shot shell press or some other one.  He might want to see if he can reload the brass ones on "regular" press using 45 Long Colt dies.  The thought has crossed my mind as I don't want to purchase a shot shell loader for a couple of hundred rounds per year.  Just a thought...BCB

[44 minimum]

I recently got a single shot 410 that my nephews are eager to start shooting and I'm not going to pay $10.00 a box for shells for it.  I don't have a shot shell loader and no desire to.  And 303 Brass is much cheaper than 410 Brass and my nephews have plenty of time and desire to load them.  It should prove to be an educational process for all of us.  I've never fire formed anything before and was wondering if any of my powders are suitable and how much to use.  From reading different things around the net it seems like lots of people do this.

[Savage]

Ok, now I'm beginning to get the picture----------------perhaps! I guess it might be interesting to form the brass for shotshells, but I think I might go with a Lee Classic Loader for about $20 or so and load plastics. Either way, be safe and have fun!
Savage

[SHOOTALL]

can't help with the brass but find it interesting !
ballistic products sells plastic 410 hulls and all the loading components !
and they sell a ROLL CRIMP TOOL , you put it in a drill and as it spins it makes a nice roll crimp . most likely the least expensive route and works with both 21/2 and 3 inch hulls !

[John Traveler]

I've loaded .410 shotshells in fireformed .303 British cases.

You need to anneal down past the shoulder BEFORE you do the fireforming.

The easiest way to fireform is to load up 5-7 grains of pistol powder, stuff 1/4 of a toilet tissue into the case mouth, and fill up the rest of the space with Cream of Wheat cereal.  This charge will blow out the shoulder to .410 chamber dimensions and allow you to prime, load .410 powder, wads, and shot for the next firing.  Adjust the powder charge upwards .5 grain at a time for best results.

[44 minimum]

thank you john traveler!  exactly what i was looking fer

[njanear]

thank you john traveler!  exactly what i was looking fer

Now you have to tell us exactly what you are loading for, as you really got our interests up...      What type of 'single shot .410'?   

[ranger 76]

when I reform 30-40 krag to 38-50 and thats about the same as 303 I use 10 grains of bull's eye then fill with cream of wheat compress it and put 1/4 inch of bullet lube on top . To anneal I hold the case upright over a bucket of water put the torch on the shoulder roll it in my fingers when it get to hot i drop it in the water. There is lots of other ways but that works for me hope you can understand this as I am not a wrighter.  Good luck Lorne

[44 minimum]

A 38-50, HUH?  I'm not familiar with that one, gonna have to look it up as I am curious now.  Sounds like an old sharp's cartridge or something though.  The single shot 410 I will be loading for is nothing special, just a little snake charmer II.  I always wanted one as a youngster and this one recently came my way pretty cheap so I pounced upon it.  It's pretty neat but it would certainly be more useful if it was in 20 gauge.