Reloading 410 Shot Shells

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A-bolt243

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Well I haven't shot a 410 since I was a kid but recently I picked up a little tamer 410 for shooting a few grouse. The gun price was fine but I nearly S&*t my pants when I saw the price of 410 shot shells. I have seen some youtube reloading that seems a bit sketchy so I was wondering if anyone actually reloads 410 shells and if there is a proper type of press to do it. Really even a hand press to do one at a time would be fine (couple boxes a year).

Thanks,
 
Lee used to make their loader sets in 410 but no more. You might be able to find one second hand around but they usually go pretty quick. It's one of those mallet and sturdy table reloading kits.
I use a MEC 600 jr. personally. Picked it up used for $100 and the guy included a couple hundred hulls and 750 wads. Finding powders that work with .410 can be problematic in the current climate. New a 600 jr is around $200-250 I think? It's your standard multi-station shotshell reloading press where you move the shell from station to station by hand.
 
Lee used to make a hand reloader for 410 but if you only need a couple of boxs a year it would probbably cheaper to buy the shells. Paid $12.99 for a box of short ones the other day and the 3 inch were the same price.
 
They are not cheap. Just camp back from camp and left my 410 home, used my 12 and $5 a box leads from gun shows. I always get more lead in a breast using a 410 then a 12. Must be an age thing? You do find some 410 presses for sale.
 
For a couple boxes a year I would just buy them and sell the hulls. I use a MEC Sizemaster as I would be in the poor house they way my 9 year old shoots them off. Reloading is half the price of new or less but set up price is pretty high for a new MEC. Maybe watch for a used one.
 
I have a Mec 650. I load 3 inch mags at less than 15 cents/shot. The hulls you can use over a dozen times each to reload.
 
I agree with Raton57 and Seagull, If your just going to shoot a box or two a year for grouse, then it's simpler to just buy a few boxes of ammo.

I have three .410's and the initial setup for reloading .410 can be up to 100's of dollars. It's fun to roll your own, but you have to buy equipment, hulls, wads, powder, primers, shot, etc., then store it all.

I've switched to 20 gauge for grouse. More lead flying through the air and cheaper ammo. Plus a Lee Loader press and/or bulk ammo is pretty cheap to buy for a 20 gauge.
 
MexicanForklift said:
Where can one buy cheap projectiles for shotgun? I have a Lee Load All 2 coming in the mail.

Powder recommendations?
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Lead shot I go to a local store that carries shot made by Hummason (factory is in Ancaster).
Steel shot you may have to special order. Bilzor can import it.
Lead buckshot I cast. Hornady is the most common factory made stuff I see on shelves but the cost really reduces the savings of reloading.
Slugs can be quite hard to find. Most places only make/sell premium slugs so will cost as much as or more than cheap factory rifled slugs. If you want to save with slugs you need to cast your own or find somewhere you can buy cheap cast slugs. Budget was selling Lee cast slugs for a decent price at one point but they aren't on their site anymore.

For powder, good luck. As with pistol powder, shotgun powder is still difficult to find compared to rifle powder. You will also often need different powders for different kinds of shot (lead birdshot, steel, slugs/buckshot). For lighter loads I use Unique or 800x and for magnum loads I use Bluedot or Longshot. I only started using the IMR and Hodgdon powders because Alliant powders are next to impossible to find. I have some Unique and Bluedot left but am conserving it as best I can.

Wads can also be problematic to source depending on where in the country you are.
 
I use a mec Junior to load 410's.
The Remington and Winchester hulls are the best.
I set the press for 3" SHELLS, and I can reload 2-1/2" shells. without any adjustments.
I just put a 1/4" bolt and a few washers at the crimping and sealing station.
I just love loading 410's.
Powder is not a problem use Win 296, or Imr 4227, Alliant 410 or H110 or Lil Gun.
They all work very well.
I don't reload Federal hulls they don't crimp too good.
Get the new Lyman shotshell reloading book, you will enjoy loading the 410
Old Timer Lou
 
I shoot 150-200 a week at skeet. Reloading is a must. It's a pain with a single stage but I got the set up for 410 under $80. Someday I'll get a progressive loader.
I really enjoy shooting 410 so it's worth it to me.
 
I would be reloading my 410 shells if I could find shot for sale in my local area (Prince George). If U can find it it will cost U an arm and a leg for shipping it is lead after all and Canada Post ante cheap. It would appear that it is cheaper just to bite the bullet and pay the man for ready made.
 
muzzleblastm38 said:
me i use 303 brit or 444 brass for my reload in 410,
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Have you noticed gas blow by with your 444 brass?

I've used 444 brass as well and even bought oversized fiber wads and disks to help seal the gases. I still get blowby, but that would be expected as the brass doesn't expand when fired, unlike plastic hulls.

Shooting competition is a different matter. A good press is almost mandatory.
 
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