[R.W.Dale]

Is it possible through the use of specialized equipment to load .410 shotshells one at a time on a single stage press?

[TN Shooter]

I am unaware of any special .410 dies that fit in standard metallic cartridge reloading presses.

However, there are at least 3 alternatives to buying a dedicated .410 reloader like a MEC:

1. Find an old Lee loader that uses a hammer to decap, reprime, etc. (I have not used one for .410, but I have used one in 20 gauge and found the "crimping" tool awkward & inadequate)
2. Use new primed .410 hulls and use your powder measure to charge them, manually insert the wads, fill with shot using the Lee dippers, use an overshot card, and then use a roll crimp tool in a power drill or drill press to roll crimp them (I have done that and it works great but it's tedious).
3. Use .444 Marlin brass and fireform it using Cream of Wheat, deprime, reprime, charge with powder, insert wad and shot, use an overshot wad or gas check, and then crimp in place with a .45 LC die. (I have done that, too, and it's tedious also).

When all's said and done, I wish I had just gone ahead and bought a MEC 600 Jr. reloader to begin with :o But hey- at least all that messing around kept me out of trouble ;)

HTH,

TN Shooter

[NCsmitty]

I would say that anything is possible if you throw enough money at it. On the other hand, if you can find a 410 lee hand loader(getting harder to do) that will work too. I think that you know the best option is a Mec 600 JR that you can get new for around $130. I use one and they are great for the money.

NCsmitty

[45crittergitter]

RCBS once made shotshell dies that fit the bushing threads in metallic reloaders. I don't know if they included .410. AFAIK they have been discontinued except for a set of 12 ga. cowboy dies.

[AgentAdam]

There are a few rare lee load all .410 presses from back when they had the aluminum base instead of plastic.