Anyone reload the .410?

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adcoch1

adcoch1

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Just picked up a old Winchester.410 shotgun in trade, and i really like it. But looking at ammo has me wondering if some $$$ could be saved by loading for it. So what gear are you guys loading.410 on? Does it require something like a MEC loader, or can I just get dies for my lee turret? I am totally new to shotgun loading, so any info would be helpful...

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Look for or run an ad for a used Mec 600 jr. Pay about 1/2 of new price. Buy components listed in a recipe. Load and shoot. Note the length of the chamber in the Winchester. Not all are 3"
 
Yeah i thought about brass hulls, but those are more than loaded ammo, and i doubt i will use this little single shot that much. It is chambered for 2.5" and 3" shells, so i'm fine there, but i couldn't find any #4 loads handy, just 00 and 7.5.

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410

Newer Mecs will have a "shell holder" type accessory that keeps new cases from sticking after priming. Should have a brass washer to help keep powder from leaking between the charge bar and measure. It a Mec item. When dropping the shot, push the charge bar slowly. This keeps the shot from bridging in the drop tube. Hate when #9 shot goes all over the loading bench.
 
Thanks 243winxb, that's a good pointer. I found a pretty good selection of ammo at Wal-Mart a few minutes ago, they moved the shotgun ammo and i hadn't found the .410 yet. Saw #4, #5, #6 etc, so i will have to try out the factory offerings to see what works best, then go find a MEC 600 jr if i can find a cheap one. BTW, does anybody know a good source for loading recipes for light gage stuff like 410?

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The best .410 ammo I've found is Winchester AAs, under $10/box at Walmart. The best hulls for reloading, too.
 
Find 410 data here. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com When buying loaded ammo, make sure there is reloading data for that hull. Not all are reloadable. I use all Winchester components with 296 powder in 2 1/2" shells for skeet. The Mec 600 will load both shell lengths, but requires loader adjustments.
 
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ArchAngelCD said:
MEC is an expensive tool but good. Lee's inexpensive loader doesn't come in 410.

I'm guessing you could buy .410 brass hulls and reload those with your press but I have never done it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/151679/magtech-shotshell-hulls-410-bore-2-1-2-brass-box-of-25
Click to expand...



The brass ones, if loaded moderately, should not need a bunch of resizing. You can do just about everything by hand. And the drawn brass hulls are capable of taking modern powders. Just check chamber length. For some details, check out the thread I started in black powder forum. These guys know what the are talking about.

Think about the brass hulls as an investment. You probably won't wear them out.

Good luck.

Josh


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Been reloading .410 for 20 years. Best powers I've found are Alliant 410 and Hodgdon lil gun
 
When I was shooting competitive skeet, I reloaded my .410 shells on a Mec 600jr.

Nice machine. I used primarily Winchester 296 in Winchester AA hulls.

I did use a universal charge bar because I could never get the powder charge exactly as I wanted using bushings.

I did not find .410 any more difficult to load than other shot shells, just the smaller size means slowing down a little and paying a bit more attention.

With the Mec, do not plan to change the press between 2-1/2" and 3" shells more than once. Not difficult but a pain and aggravation to make the change.

I understand that shot shell dies were available at one time for metallic reloading presses. I've never seen them, new or used, in the 35 years I've been reloading. But, I've never scoured the market either.
 
Ahh Lyman, should have thought of them... thanks ArchAngelCD. I admit I haven't went through an exhaustive search for information yet, kinda ended up with this gun as a deal sweetener, but loading for a small game gun like this seems appropriate, especially since ammo availability goes up and down around here...

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The other thing prompting my interest is that i always have H110 around, and most shotgun loads I've seen use this powder, so one less extra thing to keep stock of.

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Anyone reload the .410?
Click to expand...

I used to.

I used an old classic Lee Loader. As others have already noted, it is no longer made, but you can still find them on places like eBay for about $80.

I only loaded the shells for slugs and for slugs I used cast lead bullets. It worked pretty well, but if you're going to reload any quantity, I'd suggest you get a MEC600 you'll be set for as long as you own the gun.
 
The new winchester HS hulls and wads are exceptional.

If you want higher performance on game, ITX-10 and Fiocchi hulls are a great combo for the lil .410. #6 ITX pellets retain lethal energy much longer than other materials. If you choose to use ITX13, you can extend that kill range even further, with a corresponding drop in wallet holdover.

I strongly suggest a mec sizemaster for .410, the collet sizer is 100% worth it.
 
I use the Alliant 410 powder in AA hulls. Getting about out of the 8# keg that I bought a few years ago and haven't seen any of the 410 powder lately, may have to change back to lil' gun powder or 296. I generally get about 8-12 reloads out of AA hulls and they are pretty used up when I throw them away.
 
Just a note on powders, while most reloaders do not like Lil'gun in handgun loads it is probably the best 410 powder available. It was after all specifically designed to do that job and all reports say it does it very well.
 
410 2 1/2" hull

The main problem with the 410 , is getting all the components inside the hull. Some powders require more space/volume then others. Compare Mec bushing number/size with your choice of powder. The newer powders may require less room in the case.? W296 takes up less room then 2400. Some combinations may open the crimp after sitting a while. Also note, magnum shot weights less then cheap chilled shot. Skeet bushings may be opened to get the full 1/2 oz of shot. More pellets per 1/2 oz using mag shot.
 
Great advice here guys, i really appreciate it. So a few days ago a buddy came over and gave me a box. In the box was lots of random brass, hulls, etc. Also in the box was his swap meet find from 3 years ago. It is a dirty, old, but together (mostly) MEC 600jr mark V! Missing the bottles and in 12ga, but after a few minutes of tinkering i was able to decap a hull and crimp (?) The hull closed mostly. I still need to figure out how to use it completely, but a new conversion to .410 is $85. Gonna search for some components, but i may be in business....

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I bought a 410 die set to use on a 28 ga press. The idea was to load a case of shells and switch between the two, as needed. Forget that. Way to much trouble adjusting everything each time. A used press can be found for $85, with some luck. That buddy is a keeper.
 
Mec 600 JR 410 MK 5 die set

Sold this 410 dies set for a Mec 600 JR MK 5 on Gunbroker in 2013. Missing is the "shell Holder" to hold the case at the priming station. The parts for old 600 jr and newer MK 5 are different, if my memory is correct?? SaleItems027.jpg
 
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