Author Topic: Reloading .410 shotshells (Read 1801 times)

Brett · « **on:** November 24, 2004, 01:58:53 PM »

At $7.00 or $.800 a box for .410 shells I'm thinking it might be cheaper to reload .410 shells so that my daughter and I could afford to do a little more shooting. The Lee Load-All is a very affordable press but it does not seem to be available in a .410 gauge configuration. Can anyone suggest a resalable priced press that will load .410's? Also if you have any good recipes you're willing to share I would love to hear them also. I'ld be interested in loads for anything from bunnies & squirrels to birds. Thanks.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2004, 03:14:22 AM »

The MEC is about as cheap as any and works as well as any. I've loaded most all the shells I've fired on MEC presses over the years. The .410 is a real pain to load as the shot often bridges and will not fall. Then when you pull out the hull the shot falls all over the place.

You really should be able to find .410 ammo cheaper than that price. See if there is a skeet range in your area that sells ammo. If so or if you can find a store that sells skeet loads it will be much cheaper. That 3" stuff is quite expensive.

As for loads you use same powders as in magnum handgun rounds. Powders like W296, H110 and either of the 4227s. There are some newer powders out now for it also. Just check on the websites of these powder makers for load data. I've not loaed any in so many years I've forgotten the charges I used. I've used all of the powders mentioned above.

Catfish · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2004, 11:48:17 AM »

GB hit the nail on the head. I would recomand the Mec. size Master. You won`t have to resize the brass on ammo fired in the same gun, but if you can pick-up some fired cases or load for more than 1 gun you need the sizer.

wild willy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2004, 06:29:12 AM »

when loading .410 or 28 or any gauge with large shot slide the shot and powder bar slowly let the the shot run down don't drop it all at once it helps with bridging

Brett · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2004, 01:31:54 PM »

Thanks guys. I just got a Natchez (sp?) catalog in the mail and see they have a MEC 600jr for under $100. Do any of you know if this press resizes your brass. I will be loading for 2 .410 (mine and my daughters) and probably pick up a set of dies and metering bars to load 12 gauge shells at some piont also.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2004, 04:33:25 PM »

Yes it sizes the brass of case. It's the press I've loaded most of my .410 shells with over the years. Doesn't come with primer feed but then a lot of .410 presses don't. Never bothered me really.

Midsouth Shooters Supply (a GBO sponsor) has the press for $93.43 and they charge only actually shipping cost with no handling. Consider getting it from them. If you support the folks who support this site it will continue to be here to help.

Just click on their banner in the rotation for online shopping or use this link:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/

Brett · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2004, 12:54:00 AM »

Thanks GB. If I can't locate a second hand MEC cheap I will definately place an order with Midsouth.

dave375hh · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2004, 05:35:12 AM »

Other than the PW or a Spolar there is no other press that works as well as a MEC for loading .410's. I have three Hornady 366's in 12, 20, & 28, but I use a MEC 650 for my .410's. I tried two others and went back to the MEC for .410's. One hint that helps with the shot bridging is to polish the inside of the drop tube and coat everything(bottles, bushings, bars and the polished drop tube) with motor mica(white graphite) I get no bridging with #9's but the bigger the shot size the more it will want to bridge. If you want to load 12's I'd recommend a second press as change over and set-up are a pain. The differance between a die set and a used press is only $20-$25.

rickyp · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2004, 04:08:57 PM »

I too use a MEC 600 JR loader for my 410 loads. it works well for how much I use it.

Brett · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2004, 08:44:27 AM »

Thanks for the info fellas. The MEC sounds like the way to go. I live not too far from the Bass Pro Shop in Concord, NC so I took the family over there to do some Christmas shopping and take some family pic's using their decorations as a back drop. If you have never been to a Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World do it if you get the opportunity. The store in Concord has a fresh water aquarium that is about 12 feet tall not counting the waterfalls, etc. above the tank and covers the back wall of the store. Anyway while I was their I looked at the reloading equipment and priced a Rossi Youth Combo. If Bass Pro Shops didn't spend so much money on their decorations and fancy store displays they might be able to compete with Wally-World's pricing. Hopefully, if the work continues to be busy (I'm in the constuction trades) I'll be able to swing the Gun for my daughter as well as the reloader.

shaner · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2004, 03:09:25 AM »

hey brett, i loaded many 410 as i had two sons that loved to shoot all summer long , and as u will find out the go fast , anyhow if u were planningto relaod both 2 1/2 and 3in u will find in time that u will wantto pick up a second loader , changing over is a royal pain ,i bought both my loaders used , 50 bucks apiece , and they have loaded a bunch overthe past 15+years of 410 loading, ive found 2400 powder or lil gun bout any of them work the same , wads are sort of tough to find , but claybuster is making a replacment they are stifferthen the factory win and rem but they work, now iam loading the 410 for two grandsons who love the little poppers , , have fun

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2004, 06:33:20 AM »

You probably won't find a used mec for 410 for under $75, at least on any of the auction sites. 12 gauge Mecs are a dime a dozen though (ebay). Even 410 dies seem to bring premium price.

shaner · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2004, 02:22:58 AM »

yeah dakota i know what yu mean and if u go out to buy a new one all the 600jrs are the same price? round here they are 89=99 dollars new , dont know why used 410 are more on the auctions ?

Star1pup · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2004, 01:38:10 PM »

I have 3 MEC Sizemasters, one each for 12, 28 & .410. The .410 was a pain to get set up right, but it loads nicely now, except for an occassional bridging. One guy told me to run one of those tissues that you use in the clothes dryer down the tube to eliminate the static electric and it would work better. I tried it and it seems to work, but I wonder if it might get something in the powder.

I load W296 in mine. You can get good wads from Ballistic Products.