Reload .410

[MagicD]

Been reloading centerfire for years,but just got a .410, and ammo is "ouch" expensive
Suggestions for shotgun shell reloading for a novice, reloader choice, single stage vs progressive.Brand?
Looking to load about 100 shells per week.
Thanks

 

[Bull Nutria]

get a MEC 600. loader. also lots of info on reloading shotshells on shotgunworld reloading forum. I use alliant 2400, 300MP is also supposed to be very good for 410. are you loading 2.5 or 3 inch shells?

good luck,
Bull

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree, the MEC 600jr is a good press for .410.

I have a universal charge bar in mine as I found the bushings were difficult to get the powder charges close to the recipes. I did put a plug in the powder side to move the cavity closer to the center of the drop tube.

I use W296 in my .410.

Unlike metallic cartridges, you load shot shell exactly with the components in the recipes in the loading books. Hull, primer, wad, shot weight and powder charge.

The powder manufacturers have loading data and there are a couple shot shell reloading books out there.

 

[243winxb]

A 600jr will require about 1 1/2 hours to load 100 shells. Follow data exactly so shot and powder, wad will all fit inside the shell. Shot may bridge in the drop tube if moving the charge bar to fast, even with 9 shot. Another thing to watch - Part Number: 304W This brass washer is placed on top of the powders charge bar.Its keeps powders like W296 from leaking from between the bar & measure. If damaged/flattened, this washer can move with the bar. This can cause powder not to drop correctly, resulting in a light powder charge/wad stuck in the barrel. Set the wad seating ram to show a tiny amount of wad pressure on seating. This will show you if there is enough powder in the case. The measure body & charge bar may have to much clearance letting the washer get pinched when bar moves back and forth. Forcing it will flatten the high points on the washer. Then washer will block the powder drop, resulting in a light powder charge. After taking measurement of my 4 Mec 600JR, i found a new measure body was needed. Mec exchanged the old for new. There is also a lot of variation in the height of the charge bars.

[/URL][/IMG] New fired empties may stick on the priming station. Not a problem with a new 600jr , as there is a shell holder type unit to hold the case. Old used Mecs may not have it.

 

[blarby]

A vote for the Mec.

Its a dang fine machine.

You're only gonna buy it once- get the good one with all the trimmings.

 

[oneounceload]

A 600jr will require about 1 1/2 hours to load 100 shells. Follow data exactly so shot and powder, wad will all fit inside the shell

You should be able to get 6 boxes in an hour; 4 without ANY issue

 

[MSgtEgress]

IMO, The 410 is too small a diameter to load on a progressive machine. You'd spend more time fiddleing with the loader than loading. I've been using a 600jr for 10 years. I use old style AA Hulls (NOT HS) Alliant 410 powder and claybuster wads 1/2 oz of #9's. Some guys use 8's but I seem to get better patterns with 9's.

 

[Offthehook]

The mec 600 is a fine press for a hundred or two rounds a week. I owned one and am a big fan. I also loaded on a progressive 9000g for many years and found it no more difficult than any other gauge. In fact, my .410 press seemed to have a better personality than the other three I had. I now have a Spolar Gold with hydraulic drive and love it.

I do shoot a high volume and do not like to spend hours reloading. On my progressive presses I would often run 500 or 1,000 in a sitting and just put them in plastic buckets. That way I always had shells ready when I wanted to shoot.

Good luck, whatever you decide. The .410'is my favorite.