Fireformed 303 brass into 410 casings with pics

[JBD]

Bought a boito hiker from frontier and got sticker shock from the cost of 410 Buckshot loads. Approximately 2 dollars each. Fireformed with 4.9 grains of clays and a case full of cream of wheat topped with a piece of toillet paper. I had wrapped the casing with masking tape in order to align it in the chamber. The boito was capable of launching the TP to about 30 feet. First fireforming made the casing somewhat useable.

I then loaded the casing with 3.9 Grains of clays and 4 38 caliber round balls 82 grains each. Plus some felt pads that I bought from Canadian Tire. The second firing with the lead balls blew the casing out to fill the chamber.

Please note that no gunnutz were harmed during any of these experiments. Also for anyone thinking about making a cartridge with a regular bullet for a 410 it probably will not work. I spent 50 bucks in a mold and 40 caliber factory crimp. The crimper ruins the 410 casing and a 39 caliber bullet necessary to pass though the choke will not remain seated in a 410 casing. Been there done that.

 

[Pete04]

Thanks for the info. Can I ask what "grains of clays" refers to? I assume it's powder.

 

[JBD]

4.9 grains of clay for the inniatial fireform. You could use 8 grains of herco or similar. I did not anneal my brass and had no problems.

 

[Bishopus]

Also for anyone thinking about making a cartridge with a regular bullet for a 410 it probably will not work. I spent 50 bucks in a mold and 40 caliber factory crimp. The crimper ruins the 410 casing and a 39 caliber bullet necessary to pass though the choke will not remain seated in a 410 casing. Been there done that.

Thanks for the info! I have always wondered about that, and now I don't need to try it

What kind of patterns are you getting from the brass, as compared to factory .410?

 

[JBD]

Thanks for the info! I have always wondered about that, and now I don't need to try it

What kind of patterns are you getting from the brass, as compared to factory .410?

Well you just saved about 50 Bucks anyone want a 38 caliber mold and 40 cal factory crimp? As for accuracy I would say about the same as factory loads. This is three shots taken at the a zone at 7 yards. All stay in the A. The other holes were taken at 15 yards all staying on the paper.

 

[Fixit]

wow well ill be damned. the 303 does fit like a glove in the 410. I cant wait to try shooting .311 bullets with my shotgun!!!

 

[JBD]

wow well ill be damned. the 303 does fit like a glove in the 410. I cant wait to try shooting .311 bullets with my shotgun!!!

Warning 303 works at about 50,000 PSI 410 is more like 12000. It could be hazardous to your health. Just to be clear, I was using 303 brass to make 410 shotshells. I was not shooting 303 british out of my 410.

 

[Pete04]

I sent Fixit a pm to warn him not to shoot rifle ammo in his shottie. Hope he is paying attention.

 

[Ganderite]

Brass shot shless look neat, but did you do this for some technical advantage? I understand the price issue. I note 410 cost more than el cheap 12 ga. I just found out that 22 shorts cost twice as much as 22 LR.

Why not just reload paper 410 hulls?

 

[Fixit]

what the hell!!!!

u said that i could shoot 303 bullets in my 410, now look what happened.
heres a picture of the barrel, luckly I wasnt hurt.

you people should have warned me that it could explode!

 

[Fixit]

just kidding, i know that you cant shoot 303 bullets from a 410. I just couldnt help myself

 

[730win94]

Hey Jason what 38 cal mold do you have

 

[saskgunowner101]

just kidding, i know that you cant shoot 303 bullets from a 410. I just couldnt help myself

I got a good chuckle out of that. So what exactly went wrong in your photo??

 

[fogducker]

i was reading a few weeks ago of using 444 brass for the 410 ..

 

[svt-40]

But 444 brass by itself costs big bucks, while 303 brass is available from your range floor and cheap as dirt. Also 303 brass is tough as hell.

A thought occurred to me? Would it make sense to load 303 with 410 calibre wooden mushrooms made on a lathe instead?

The crimper ruins the 410 casing

Try 41 calbre crimper instead.

and a 39 caliber bullet necessary to pass though the choke will not remain seated in a 410 casing. Been there done that.

You can always ream your barrel into a cylinder

 

[telesquirt]

Or you could buy a box of .44/40 pistol rounds.

 

[Fixit]

I got a good chuckle out of that. So what exactly went wrong in your photo??

dunno, it was a google search image

 

[klondike bob]

Or you could buy a box of .44/40 pistol rounds.

not a good idea since the 44-40 bullet are 427, better if you must try 38-40 40 caliber bullet , same casing as the 44-40 but smaller bullet Bob

 

[SniperSean]

Never listen to other people telling you what you can and can't fire out of a gun, when it is clearly marked on the label the only calibre to be used safely!

Stick to the basics of gun safety and that would have never happened.

 

[JBD]

Brass shot shless look neat, but did you do this for some technical advantage? I understand the price issue. I note 410 cost more than el cheap 12 ga. I just found out that 22 shorts cost twice as much as 22 LR.

Why not just reload paper 410 hulls?

Paper or Plastic hulls would require a dedicated 410 reloader, not easily available nor cheap. What I set up I can reload with just a few of the tools I have on hand. Just need to pop the primer out, put in the required powder, shove a felt or two over the primer with a cleaning round, drop 4 cast lee 38 cal 82 round balls and glue in place.

I tried it because I am cheap