Clearly I'm a shotshell idiot. Need MEC 410 help please

berettaprofessor

berettaprofessor

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Okay, my first attempts at reloading 410 are not going smooth. Two questions please:

Q1) I have Fiocchi 410 shells, Cheddite 209 primers, CB wads, and planned to use H110 powder. I need a drop of 15.7-16.0 grains H110. My MEC Jr. 600 Mark 5 410 loader came with #10, #11, and #12 MEC bushings. MEC's powder bushing chart says that those bushings should drop 14.2, 15.0, and 15.8 grains of H110, but, because I've read that the bushings will drop Hodgdon powders light, I also obtained MEC 12A and #13 bushings prior to starting to reload. So I get setup and start with the #11 bushing which drops 14.0 or 14.1 grains H110 (I'm measuring 3 drops each time). The #12 bushing drops 14.4 grams and the #12A bushing drops 14.7 grains. Okay, the #13 should be just over 15 grains, right? Nope, it drops 17.0 or 17.1 grains. I cycled through these bushings twice, taking things apart each time and got the same results each time. Do the bushings really jump that far from #12A to #13? What am I doing wrong or what do I do now?

Q2) The 410 loader comes with a little brass washer to decrease leakage with fine powder. Instructions say to tip the measure back, remove the powder container, tip it forward, remove the grommet, place the washer flat side down on the bushing, and replace the grommet, then tip it back again, reapply the powder container, and tip it up to use. Simple right? Well the goldarned grommet is the hardest thing to seat properly I've ever seen....like watching someone with fat ankles try to squeeze into a pair of two small shoes and just as one side slips in, the fat bulges out the other and it never works. So, anyone got a trick to replace the grommet?
 
Check to make sure the "13" isn't, in fact, an "18"...........

A1)
Carefully drill out the "12" or "12a" bushing to get your desired drop.

A2)
Patience, my friend.
I've got sausage fingers that don't feel all the time........................I feel your agony...............I use the brass washer, the grommet, and an aluminum washer that fits in the measure but is larger than the opening in the bottle. I reamed it out to fit the bottle opening. It helps "seat" the bottle to the grommet.
I also sanded the funnel flat so it mates up to the bottom of the measure bar better. That was the best solution to powder leakage that I have found...................


$0.02 advice that is worth just that...............
 
I have a couple of bushings that I've drilled out, and I have a few that I've put plastic sleeves in so they drop less powder.
Just mess around until you find what works.

More importantly, I've learned that being a little light on powder doesn't really affect much and is easier on my shoulder.
For shot loads a half of a grain to the - has never been a big deal to me as long as I'm breaking my clays and killing birds.
I'm much more fussy with my rifle loads.
 
Yep, you just have to be patient. The grommet is meant to fit in the hole snug.

Also, do you have a powder baffle?
That can help you get truer powder drops.
 
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Powder bushings charts do not necessarily match what your actual results will be. After years of different powders and shot weights, my MEC 9000 powder bushing chart for. 12 ga has a column of notations for actual powder weight. Make notes as you find your actual weights. You will be buying some additional bushings.

I own a complete set of bushing plus a couple drilled out as Sooner posted.
 

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They also still work without the brass washer. It’s messy but you only lose about 5 grains for 100 shells (at least that was my experience with SR 7625 before I learned how to use the washer).
 
I also forgot to add that there are different versions of the bushing charts. None are 100% correct for all powders, but usually one is right for some powders and another for others. I keep a record of these for the difference in which are right in the Lyman 4th vs 5th edition data.
 
Use the brass washer. Look at your instructions and make sure you have the washer right side up - it does make a difference.
 
tmd16556 said:
I also forgot to add that there are different versions of the bushing charts
Click to expand...
Most definitely..................................MEC changed the bushings at one time, I believe.........
I have found multiple charts, the 1 from the Hodgdon basic manual matches the bushings (newer) that I have...........

Good call................... :thumbup:
 
The 600jr needs cycled thru each station so vibration settles the powder, in the bushing. A single stage reloader will general throw a slightly heavier charge than a progressive machine.

The little brass washer needs the bottle to be screwed on lightly. To much compression causes problems.
If the bumps on the brass washer become flattened, the washer can move, & block the powder drop. Making a light charge of powder.

When seating the wad- Set the wad pressure so the indicator just moves when touching the powder. Lets you know the correct amount of powder dropped.

When dropping the shot, move bar slower & raise the wad seater/ handle up a tiny amount. This keeps the shot from bridging in the drop tube.

Magnum shot, being lighter then chilled shot will allow more pellets in a 1/2 oz load. Skeet bushing drop light, i open them to get a full 1/2 oz of 9 shot.

https://www.mecoutdoors.com/trouble...mcZ5g_8xbFmLHc8sHKNyO1tVXNlUJFOMaAkpcEALw_wcB
 
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FROGO207 said:
I got sick of playing the bushing roulette so I purchased an ajustable bushing for each of my shotshell presses. When I change loads it doesn't take much longer to adjust than hunting for bushings and swapping them.
Click to expand...
I think I have a couple of those, but I've never used them.

Do you like them?
 
1,000 words . . . :cool:


(Little brother right next to the 12ga MEC press)
MEC_410_Setup.jpg

This has stood me in good stead over several years.
Interchanging W296 & H110 has no "appreciable" effect of notice
 
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions and help. Cycling through the stations got me to 14.8 grains average with the #12A bushing, so I went with it and didn't blow myself up; in fact, the loads seemed a little wimpy. I may up it to that #13 and it's 17.0 grain throw....I'm slightly low on the 1/2 ounce charge anyway.

As for the grommet problems; solved it myself. Thinking about 243winxb's advice to not tighten down the load bottle tight, I placed the brass washer in place and the grommet partially in the hole and then screwed in an empty load bottle and...Wa Laa!...it seated itself. I have since repeated it so it's not just luck. That's the trick!
 
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