Hey guys, I'm a first time loader and need some advise from you gurus. I got a mec 600 jr and I need to reload .410 to scare off birds from my blueberry fields. And recommendations as far as powder and load choice?? Any help or advise is much appreciated
.410 reload help
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243winxb
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410
I used Win. components & 296 powder for Skeet loads. Using a Mec 600Jr to load them. Get data at Hodgdon web site. A few things are different loading the 410. Shot will bridge in the drop tube IF you move the charger bar to fast & have not raised the handle a tiny bit to let the shot free fall into the wad. The 296 powder will leak unless you use a Mec brass washer, part #304W.
[/URL][/IMG] When seating a primer, the priming unit may stick in the bottom of the hull. The newer MK V comes with a "shell holder" type attachment to retain the casing head as the priming unit is removed. Win. hulls of the old type use different reloading data. New are marked "HS" The not so new "HS" Win. shells have been on the market since 2003. Welcome to The High Road.
I used Win. components & 296 powder for Skeet loads. Using a Mec 600Jr to load them. Get data at Hodgdon web site. A few things are different loading the 410. Shot will bridge in the drop tube IF you move the charger bar to fast & have not raised the handle a tiny bit to let the shot free fall into the wad. The 296 powder will leak unless you use a Mec brass washer, part #304W.
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243winxb has good comments.
When I was shooting competitive skeet, I loaded 1/2 oz shot over W296 in old style Winchester AA 2-1/2" hulls.(The new HS hulls have come out since I stopped shooting competitively).
I could never get a bushing for the MEC charge bar to throw the charge I wanted so i use a universal charge bar in my 600jr.. Since the charge of W296 is a fairly small volume, I made a filler for the powder charge cavity to move the center point of the cavity to be more in line with the small diameter hull. With the universal charge bar, i can dial in the exact charge i want from the load recipes.
The brass ring mentioned by 243winxb helps minimize the powder leakage when stroking the charge bar.
I use a Mossberg 500 in .410 for a critter gun around the farm works pretty well although the small shot charge and full choke make things a challenge sometimes.
But, at short ranges, it does a good job on raccoons and "no-possums", both carry diseases that are harmful to our horses. ("no-possums are possums after being shot or run over).
When I was shooting competitive skeet, I loaded 1/2 oz shot over W296 in old style Winchester AA 2-1/2" hulls.(The new HS hulls have come out since I stopped shooting competitively).
I could never get a bushing for the MEC charge bar to throw the charge I wanted so i use a universal charge bar in my 600jr.. Since the charge of W296 is a fairly small volume, I made a filler for the powder charge cavity to move the center point of the cavity to be more in line with the small diameter hull. With the universal charge bar, i can dial in the exact charge i want from the load recipes.
The brass ring mentioned by 243winxb helps minimize the powder leakage when stroking the charge bar.
I use a Mossberg 500 in .410 for a critter gun around the farm works pretty well although the small shot charge and full choke make things a challenge sometimes.
But, at short ranges, it does a good job on raccoons and "no-possums", both carry diseases that are harmful to our horses. ("no-possums are possums after being shot or run over).For 1/2 oz. skeet loads I use either old R-P or WAA cases - I have a huge box of them. I use the old Remington wad in the R-P cases and the old WAA410 wad in the old WAA cases. W-296 powder was used in both at the level recommended by W-W 14th Edition Reloading manual. I would assume that's the same data which is now on the Hodgdon website.
I use Hodgdon H110 for both 2 1/2 and 3 inch shells (different charge bars/powder bushings for both). With the MEC 600, any shot size over #6 can/will bridge in the drop tube. A wiggle of the handle/tap on the drop tube will usually clear it. I use Clay Buster wads and have had best luck with Winchester Super X and Remington Express hulls. I mostly reload 3 inch for hunting. If you are new to shot shell reloading, I suggest getting a good reloading manual (or two)
NCsmitty
Member
I have used Fiocchi and most recent, Remington STS hulls with Claybuster wads and Alliant 410 powder and Win 209 primers, but recently bought 5K of Wolf 209 primers and they work well. I use a slightly modified shot drop of around 226gr to get the best fill and crimp with the components that I use. I have an adjustable charge bar but didn't like it, and found the factory powder bushings very consistent.
The Mec JR can load 3" with the conversion parts, but it's a pita to get the adjustments right, if you're switching back and forth.
NCsmitty
The Mec JR can load 3" with the conversion parts, but it's a pita to get the adjustments right, if you're switching back and forth.
NCsmitty
au_prospector
Member
Bought a Mec 600 JR about a year ago
And I love it.
I use both Winchester HS and Winchester AA without discretion and have no problems. Sometimes the older AA hulls which have never been reloaded get stuck on the priming shaft, but never again on subsequent reloadings. Sometimes even 7 1/2 shot lodges in the drop tube but a careful tap or jiggle each time you drop shot cures this. Just make sure it dropped before you lift the handle.
So cool to reload a box of Winchester AA shells for $3 or $4 bucks.
I use 12 grains of Alliant 410 powder, 1/2 ounce of #8 magnum shot, Claybuster wads, Winchester 209 primers and both HS and AA hulls. Great trap load for me. You can also use Alliant 2400 powder (12.5 - 13 grains) if you have that.
And I love it.
I use both Winchester HS and Winchester AA without discretion and have no problems. Sometimes the older AA hulls which have never been reloaded get stuck on the priming shaft, but never again on subsequent reloadings. Sometimes even 7 1/2 shot lodges in the drop tube but a careful tap or jiggle each time you drop shot cures this. Just make sure it dropped before you lift the handle.
So cool to reload a box of Winchester AA shells for $3 or $4 bucks.
I use 12 grains of Alliant 410 powder, 1/2 ounce of #8 magnum shot, Claybuster wads, Winchester 209 primers and both HS and AA hulls. Great trap load for me. You can also use Alliant 2400 powder (12.5 - 13 grains) if you have that.
Jesse Heywood
Member
If all you want to do is scare off the birds you could use blanks. Here's a page that describes how to make them. http://www.9thnycavalry.webeditor.com/publications/spencer_article.html No need to do the stuff for making them fit the carbine.
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