Loading .410

[Red Label]

This is a finicky little shell! I have been loading 12 and 20ga for years but just started loading .410 recently. My biggest issue is the shot weight and I need someone to explain. According to my scale 1/2 oz. of shot should weigh 218 grains. With 218 grains of shot my crimps are completely inverted and the shot falls completely out of the shell. I weighed the shot charge in a brand new Remington STS and it comes to 234 grains. I filed out the charge bar in my MEC 600 till I get a charge weight of 228. I really don't want to go too much farther as I now have a "decent" crimp but what gives? Do the factory 1/2 oz shells all have more than 1/2 oz? Do we need to reload to 234gr. to get a good crimp? Will this raise the pressures given in the manual to an unsafe level? I wouldn't think so given that the factory shells are "overloaded" but I want to be sure.

 

[243winxb]

Factory 410's use magnum shot in there shells. Mag. is lighter in weight than standard shot and harder. Std has 2% antimony, mag. has 6%. Count pellets. "Skeet" shells should be 1/2 oz.

 

[oneounceload]

What hulls, wads, and powder are you using? You might have a volume problem or a hull/wad compatibility issue

 

[Red Label]

Using a Remington STS hull, 12.6gr. Hodgdon lil gun, Claybuster CB5050-410HS wad and 228gr of #8.5 West coast magnum shot. I got this load right out of the Hodgdon manual for 1/2 oz loads. The wad package says that it is a replacement for RemSP410, WinWAA410HS and Federal 410 SC.

I can see the size of the 8 1/2 shot causing a little difference compared to #9 but in a given volume the nines should weigh more than the 8 1/2s because they will be packed more closely together but I don't think it would amount to more than a couple of grains.

Since I am using a magnum shot shouldn't the weights be the same as the factory shot in a given volume? Remember, I weighed the factory shell at 334gr and I have stopped at 228. The factory STS still weighs more and takes up more volume than mine. Its more than 1/2 oz.

 

[NCsmitty]

I have run into the same problem using Alliant 410 powder, and have modified my shot drop to weigh around 228gr of magnum 81/2, in the search for a good crimp. My powder charge is on the light side and the 2.5" Fiocchi hulls produce a good pattern with either the Remington or Claybuster wad. I'm sure the pressures are well within 410 specs, and is not a concern to me. It's all about a good crimp and good patterns. The results with STS or AA hulls produces a shell that looks as good as factory, but my main body of hulls are Fiocchi.

As you have noticed, the factory does not worry about their drops too much, and factory ammo shoots fairly consistent.



NCsmitty

 

[243winxb]

The wad package says that it is a replacement for RemSP410, WinWAA410HS and Federal 410 SC

One wad does not fit all brands perfectly. Use the same brand wad and case if you want more exact results. A 1/2 oz should be 8 1/2=242 pellets. #9=292 pellets. The alloy used to make the shot will have different weights by volume. Mec Skeet charge bars always drop less then the shot weight listed using magnum shot , so file out the bar as you have. The adjustment you have made is fine. Extra shot might get you in trouble in skeet competitions on a national level.

Since I am using a magnum shot shouldn't the weights be the same as the factory shot in a given volume?

No, different companys use different amounts of antimony for magnum shot. Count pellets in factory and your West Coast mag shot and weight them. You should be ok with what you have loaded. Are your factory shells marked "Skeet" loads??

 

[Red Label]

I'm not worried about national competition. I just like to shoot skeet and sporting clays at a local club and saving money by reloading the .410 is my goal. I want a good load thats as close to factory as I can get and also safe and reliable. I just enjoy shooting the little gun and $10 a box for new shells is just a little nuts!

By the way the Remington box is marked Premier STS target load. I wish I had bought a bunch of these when they were $5.99 because the empties are now my reloads.

 

[oneounceload]

West Coast shot is great stuff (used to live right near the tower), and the magnum is hard - 6% antimony - which weighs less than lead.

I ran into issues loading 28's. One thing that helped me was changing over to using the Universal Charge Bar. Instead of getting "close enough", I can dial it in exactly for both powder and shot, making my loads more consistent