.410 bug is biting. Do I answer?

[Aaryq]

Howdy, folks. I read the stickies, used the search key and the google option, but my question wasn't answered. Every time I bring up shooting .410 in the shotgun or general discussion form, they say get a 20ga, 28ga or start reloading. For those of you who reload .410 bore, I have questions for you.

1. What manufacturer did you get your reloading tools from (I noticed that Lee doesn't have .410 anything) and do they offer a comprehensive 1 stop shop kit?

2. Without getting nasty with each other, are there any manufacturers of reloading tools you don't recomend?

3. Who do you get your shot, powder, primers, and wads (am I missing anything) from?

4. Without getting nasty with each other, are there any manufacturers of shotshell components you don't recomend?

5. It's NOT about the money, but how much do you save per shell with your favorite brands of components excluding the "buy in" of your tools?

6. I'll be reloading mostly for taking care of little critters near my house (when I move back to ND) and for home defense (no flames please, I have my reasons). Are there any special "recepies" you've made to assist in this task?

7. Questions, comments, gripes, concerns?

 

[Aaryq]

How does this one look?

 

[ranger335v]

I agree that the MEC 600 Jr. is likely the best shotgunners reloading bang for the buck on the market. Not sure how long they have marketed that thing but I learned of it in '65 and it was popular then. Never used one myself but I have friends that have loved them.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Ditto the Mec.

You'll love the "little gun". I've got a friend who many years ago suffered a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He uses the .410 to shoot every thing except geese, and big game, although he HAS killed a number of geese with the .410 that were encountered while duck hunting.

He uses a Browning O/U. He is rather well-to-do, so he shoots exclusively factory ammo which he buys by the case.
He has had spectacular success using the Bismuth #4's and #6's on ducks. He frequently shoots his limit of doves (12) with less than 18-20rds of #8's which he uses for practically everything not covered with the Bismuth loads.
He will also shoot 2-3cases of #9s a year in "recreational" shooting as another mutual friend has a Sporting Clays range in his backyard. (Yeah, since retiring, I run with a rather "exclusive" bunch, seeing as I'm their corporate pilot and "man Friday"). I also get to do some exotic hunting and shooting too........

If you are only going to shoot 200-500rds a year, you probably would be better off just using factory loads. The only ammo I reload is speciality loads for my 20ga S/S I hunt with. 1oz #6's that kill to 40yds like lightning (extra hard shot and RP wads and Longshot powder) or #1.5 buck (10 in 2-3/4") that shoot 100% patterns at 40yds. (Killed two deer and a pig with one shot each last year!!). With the 12ga, I'll only use a case of steel shot loads every 2-3yrs.

We really respect the little gun. When possible, I revert to a 28ga Pump, but I'm soon going to get my own "Little Gun". Probably a Citori O/U to keep from being the "odd man out".

If reloading, either H110 or Lil'Gun are THE powders.
I'd use Win. AA hulls exclusively.

In factory loads, the Fiocchi are hard to beat for the price.

 

[Aaryq]

Well in May 2008, I'm buying a Saiga 410. I'll use it primairily for HD and if the laws allow it, pheasant and grouse hunting in ND. For HD, it is enough gun in my opinion, 000 buck in 3" has pretty good penetration (brassfetcher), and low recoil. For birds, if I had to feed myself, I'd go to the store, it's the thrill of the hunt that I like. But I digress (as this is about reloading, not for the uses of a .410 bore). So the general concensus so far is that it is a good setup? That makes me happy. I have a question, though. Like I said before, I've looked through stickies and used the search icon, for reloading gear (not shell components) and it's more about brass and bullets than about shotshells. What else do I need, and what else should I use to make reloading easier (that is if I don't follow Goose's advice).

Speaking about Goose, you made me think. I can't tell you how much I'll shoot in a year. I'll probably use my tax returns, Iraq money, and re-enlistment bonuses to buy a bunch of primers, shot, and powder in bulk. If I do it that way (with money that I wouldn't normally see and therefore not miss as much), would you still have that same opinion about shooting less than 200-500? Most of the shooting would be to allow myself to "re-qualify" for HD shooting at least once a month, to practice bird hunting and for real bird hunting.

 

[92GreenYJ]

While I don't reload .410 (yet! Have a .410 Mossy 500 and .410 rounds aint exactly inexspensive compared to 12 gauge) I do currently reload 12 gauge shells with an older MEC Versamec reloader. the 600 is basically the same from what i can tell. I do love my versamec. I can pound out a box of 25 rounds in about as many minutes or less.

 

[snuffy]

The mec 600 jr is the ONLY loader I would consider for .410. The reason is they're not that easy to reload. I used to belong to a skeet club, there were shooters/reloaders that had many problems with progressive .410 machines. The consensus was to stick to the single stage 600 jr, do them slow, they work fine.

The 600 jr is adjustable so you can do both the 2.5 inch and 3 inch shells. It envolves taking the bolt out that holds the center shaft to the base, moving that center shaft up or down to accomodate the longer/shorter shell.

I get a lot of my supplies from this outfit in Minn.;
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/
They have all the stuff you'd ever need for the .410, or any other shotgun loading. They also have this specialty slug load made in Russia;

http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/bpicart/prodinfo.asp?number=0231842

I got a box when ordering some other .410 stuff from them. It's a brass plated steel 2 3/4 inch berdan primed slug. It shot well from my 45/.410 comanchee pistol and my Rossi single shot.

I've been working with these all brass shells made by magtech;
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=151679
They are a very specialty load, if you don't already load metallics, then you'd be SOL for using those. They use a large pistol primer, so loading on the mec is out. I use a lee universal depriming die and the head size is the same as amgnum rifle brass,(7mm 300 win mag), so repriming is a breeze. They also require an overshot wad, and a taper crimp to hold the OS wad in. I use a 7mm mag sizeing die with the decap rod removed to form a perfect taper crimp,(the sholder area of the die is the perfect diameter).

I'm messing around with a 3 ball load, both .375 and .395 round balls. Not much progress yet, but I have high hopes for an effective SD load. I'd never consider shooting a deer with a .410, even though many thousands have fallen to it. Not to get into a flame war, but I'd bet as many have run away to die a horrible, slow death.