.410/.303 loading

[Snider shooter]

This thread got me thinking of my own Lee Enfield 410 which I haven’t got around to gearing up rounds for. I decided to try forming a couple of cases. I pulled my expander out that I made for forming 30-30 into 38-55. Lee lube is used inside the case neck and expansion is done in one pass. A 0.380 bullet slides into the case easily. A Lyman M die is used with my homemade expander.
The old shoulder can still be seen. Should be an easy fire form.

 

[Potashminer]

Snider shooter - I have not done what you show - so is a bullet needed for final "fire form" or can that be done using Cream of Wheat (COW) or similar, on top of Unique powder??

 

[Snider shooter]

Snider shooter - I have not done what you show - so is a bullet needed for final "fire form" or can that be done using Cream of Wheat (COW) or similar, on top of Unique powder??

I haven’t tried fire forming yet. I was thinking of loading with 38-55 bullet. I also have multiple wad cutters so was also thinking of filling with wad and glueing the mouth.
I still have to put a stock on my 303. KJohn got me thinking of actually doing something with mine. I could put sporter wood on it for now. Out of full length #1 forearms , have the rest of the pieces.
I do a lot of case forming so I have a few homemade expanders. I am thinking of making another to expand the case a little more. I probably should anneal them before I fire form.

 

[Snider shooter]

I thought a bit more on expanding cases. I checked my die sets out finding my 40-50 Sharps straight set which has a long expander and a regular M-die.
My steps for expanding are.
First expander takes the case up to 38-55 dimensions 0.378 ,inside neck. Inside necks is lubed.
Second expander takes the case up to 0.406 inside the neck.
Third the M-die is used so a regular 0.410 bullet can be seated.
My plan is to fireform with a case full of black powder and a cast pistol bullet of 0.410 and 220 grs.
Should be minimal case expansion as I have most of the case taper expanded already.

 

[Snider shooter]

I decided to finish the rounds off. 0.410 bullet,220 gr bullet with a case full of black powder 2Fg. The black powder should keep my pressure low but enough pressure to finish fire forming the brass.

 

[kjohn]

A gracious member of CGN mailed me a dozen new PPU brass to work with. I blew out two and they came out in great shape. Next I’ll do five. Stay tuned!

 

[legi0n]

sweet
take many pictures please

 

[kjohn]

Two fireformed PPU. The marks are not cracks!

 

[kjohn]

Blew out five more this afternoon. Came out in good shape. Five more to go. Many thanks goes to Potashminer who sent me 12 new PPU brass.

 

[TangoKilo]

Awesome thread!!

Anyone annealing their 303 cases before expanding to 410, or fireforming?

Also, anyone loading 7.5shot in these brass cases?

Thanks,

TK

 

[legi0n]

yes, I'm doing a thorough annealing up to the webbing to allow the fireforming to expand as much of the case as possible because the case head of the 303 is slightly smaller than the 410 and that causes issues in my shotgun.
I also thin the 303 rim with a cordless drill and a hacksaw blade.

#7.5 shot is my preferred load or loads 'cause I have many

 

[kjohn]

Bear in mind that the PPU cases I am blowing out are to be used in an original chambered Ishapore, bored for blown out .303 cases. Regular .410 shotgun bores are longer and a bit bigger circumference.

 

[kjohn]

Blew out the last five cases this afternoon. Now to load them up with some .410 cast bullets I poured a long time ago and see how (in)accurate they are.

 

[legi0n]

I'm really curious how them bullets fly
I tried saboted 357 hardcast in a regular 410 shotgun and couldn't even hit a 2ftx2ft target at 25 yds

 

[kjohn]

I'm really curious how them bullets fly
I tried saboted 357 hardcast in a regular 410 shotgun and couldn't even hit a 2ftx2ft target at 25 yds

I was able to keep all ten .395 balls (2 per shot) on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet at 50' with my 3" chamber LE musket. Both my muskets are .410 at the muzzle, so no choke.

 

[unstableryan]

10gr of unique and a cast bullet will work in nearly every rifle.

 

[kjohn]

10gr of unique and a cast bullet will work in nearly every rifle.

Yes. I shoot lots of 700X and some Unique with cast bullets in lots of different chambering - 30-30, 30-06, .303 Br, 8x57, .308, 7.62x54r, 7.62x39, 32WS.

 

[kjohn]

Well, I finally got around to shooting some of my 410/303 sniper rounds.

First off, I fired 6 rounds of boxer primed PPU loaded with 10gr 700X and a 210gr cast TL LEE and a S&B LR primer. All six were inside a 6" circle at 50 feet.

Next, I fired off 6 PP-73 Berdan cases, same powder and bullet, but with a shotgun primer. First shot was right in the bullseye, but the next five were spread out.

I finished off by firing the last 6 boxer primed, same load as before. These seemed to "group" a bit better than the shotgun primed ones. I await the arrival of a letter "C" bit to drill out primer pockets on the Berdan cases. Shotgun primer will fit tighter. A couple of the shotgun primed ones had soot on the rear face of the case.

I'll load up a few more of the boxer ones and sally forth in the gopher patch to see if I can luck out and smoke at least one gopher. . Other than using shotgun primers in Berdan cases that boxer cases aren't available, I will stick with boxer cases.