ShellShock
Moderator
I'm clueless about it. But where would I start to learn how to reload my spent .410 shells?
Reloading .410 Shells
- Thread starter ShellShock
- Start date
Greetings ShellShock, and welcome aboard
.410-bore shot shells are in a world of their own when it comes to reloading. They are naughty at heart and can be very finicky. May I suggest you start reloading with a larger bore shotshell. As has been mentioned in previous threads, probably the best way to learn reloading is with a mentor. You didn't mention your area. Many reloaders are happy to show a novice the reloading ropes.
I still remember when one of my shooting buddies, an experienced 12/20/28-ga loader, called me one evening about his new .410 loader. He was at his wits end -- while using his new progressive press, frequently the .410 hulls would spit up their wads and dump shot all over his work station. My reply was, "So, what's your problem? That's what .410s do." He was not amused by my reply. I explained that unlike the bigger hulls, when setting the wad in a .410 hull, you have to make sure that you're not trapping a bubble of compressed air, else the hull will expel the wad and dump shot all over the place. One solution is to do a slight double stroke to vent the air, but not enough of a stroke as to upset the loaders other functions (primer, shot and powder feeds). Another solution is to hold the lever down for a while so any trapped air will self-vent. I doubt there are any .410 loaders out there who haven't spilled their share of shot.
.410-bore shot shells are in a world of their own when it comes to reloading. They are naughty at heart and can be very finicky. May I suggest you start reloading with a larger bore shotshell. As has been mentioned in previous threads, probably the best way to learn reloading is with a mentor. You didn't mention your area. Many reloaders are happy to show a novice the reloading ropes.
I still remember when one of my shooting buddies, an experienced 12/20/28-ga loader, called me one evening about his new .410 loader. He was at his wits end -- while using his new progressive press, frequently the .410 hulls would spit up their wads and dump shot all over his work station. My reply was, "So, what's your problem? That's what .410s do." He was not amused by my reply. I explained that unlike the bigger hulls, when setting the wad in a .410 hull, you have to make sure that you're not trapping a bubble of compressed air, else the hull will expel the wad and dump shot all over the place. One solution is to do a slight double stroke to vent the air, but not enough of a stroke as to upset the loaders other functions (primer, shot and powder feeds). Another solution is to hold the lever down for a while so any trapped air will self-vent. I doubt there are any .410 loaders out there who haven't spilled their share of shot.
.oneounceload
Moderator
You can reload 410 for about 2.50 a box, so it is NOT to expensive to shoot, but then too many think the only shotgun shell worthy of being shot is some form of buckshot...........that would be a wrong assumption...........410 is an excellent skeet and dove load
Like Zippy and others advised - loading .410 can be a little tricky ( shot tends to bridge in the drop tube ) ...and the hulls do tend to crumple a little more often when you don't get the wad started just right ....and the hulls don't last that long...
but technically, its no more of an issue to learn to load .410 than it is a 12ga..
I like MEC equipment for shotshells .... ( I use a 9000-HN hydraulic model ) ....but the Grabber model or the 9000-G are also good progressive reloading machines.
I would suggest some general reading on re-loading shotshells first. Unless you are going to shoot at least 1,000 shells a year ( 40 boxes ), I wouldn't fuss with reloading the .410's .
but technically, its no more of an issue to learn to load .410 than it is a 12ga..
I like MEC equipment for shotshells .... ( I use a 9000-HN hydraulic model ) ....but the Grabber model or the 9000-G are also good progressive reloading machines.
I would suggest some general reading on re-loading shotshells first. Unless you are going to shoot at least 1,000 shells a year ( 40 boxes ), I wouldn't fuss with reloading the .410's .
ShellShock
Moderator
Thanks all. That was very helpful
I have been loading 410s since may. I ordered 200 primed multi hulls from BPI along with a roll crimper, wads and overshot wads. I use a set of Lee dippers for the powder and shot. I ure a 1cc dipper for the powder(2400) and depending on the shot size the dipper that holds the closest to 11/16oz of shot. My set up is not fast but I don't shoot a lot of shells anyway. I can load these for about $5 a box including buying the primed hulls. I also bought another 500 primed hulls off GB for $63 with shipping. Thats a little cheaper than BPI so the next batch will cost a little less.
I also made up my own Lee "style" reloader. I ordered a 410 sizing bushing from Mec and drive it over the fired case to size the head. I use a punch to drive out the primer and a hollow rod to seat the new primer. I cut off the case at the crimp and slightly reduce the load so I can roll crimp the shorter shell. These will hold about 5/8oz of shot so they are a little better than 2 1/2" shells. I also load three .390 balls for a buckshot load.
Its a pain in the butt but kinda fun. I like making my own stuff and do not like paying $15 a box for shells. In the end I think its just easier to buy new hulls and save the once fired stuff for a time when you can't get ammo anymore. You can laugh if you want but it works for me.
I also made up my own Lee "style" reloader. I ordered a 410 sizing bushing from Mec and drive it over the fired case to size the head. I use a punch to drive out the primer and a hollow rod to seat the new primer. I cut off the case at the crimp and slightly reduce the load so I can roll crimp the shorter shell. These will hold about 5/8oz of shot so they are a little better than 2 1/2" shells. I also load three .390 balls for a buckshot load.
Its a pain in the butt but kinda fun. I like making my own stuff and do not like paying $15 a box for shells. In the end I think its just easier to buy new hulls and save the once fired stuff for a time when you can't get ammo anymore. You can laugh if you want but it works for me.
ratshooter,
From your description, you're not reloading .410s but making new ammo with your custom equipment. Although an interesting process, I don't think it's exactly what the OP had in mind; but, I've been wrong before. I thought my process was slow -- I was feeling sorry for myself since my old .410 MEC Grabber isn't power assisted like BigJim's 9000-HN. With you present set-up, you're limited to roll crimps which don't promote uniform patterns as well as folded crimps available from loaders. If you decide to step up your volume significantly, you'll want a traditional reloader.
I ran costs using the price of your primed hulls and typical components, and I think you costs are more like $6.25 per box of 25, since you aren't reloading your hulls. Most of us who reload .410s in volume are around $3.25 per box of 25 (exclusive of hull costs).
From your description, you're not reloading .410s but making new ammo with your custom equipment. Although an interesting process, I don't think it's exactly what the OP had in mind; but, I've been wrong before. I thought my process was slow -- I was feeling sorry for myself since my old .410 MEC Grabber isn't power assisted like BigJim's 9000-HN. With you present set-up, you're limited to roll crimps which don't promote uniform patterns as well as folded crimps available from loaders. If you decide to step up your volume significantly, you'll want a traditional reloader.
I ran costs using the price of your primed hulls and typical components, and I think you costs are more like $6.25 per box of 25, since you aren't reloading your hulls. Most of us who reload .410s in volume are around $3.25 per box of 25 (exclusive of hull costs).
Hello Zippy. If you read my second paragraph you will see that I am reloading once fired shells. As to the cost I have had my shot so long that IIRC I paid less than $20 per 25lb bag. I have about 90lbs of 7.5 shot. Thats what I use the most. Same with the powder I am using. When I got it it was $12 a pound.
The primed hulls l got off GB cost 12.6 cents each. You can get 518 loads from a pound of powder. At $20 thats about .04 per shell and 25 pounds of shot will load 581 11/16oz loads. I paid $39 for 25 lbs of #9 shot. That works out to .07 per shell.
12.6+.04+.07=.24 cents per shot x 25= $6.00 a box. So yep it a little over $5 like I said except I didn't pay those amounts for my componants. Anyway its splitting hairs and all that concerns me is I am not paying $15+tax for a box for shells. Of coarse the reloaded hulls are less.
I haven't patterned them but they have killed every can I have shot them at and killed several turtles in my buddies pond. The farthest I shoot them is about 25 yards and most of the time less than that. They do what I want them to do. Thats all that matters to me. And maybe some day I will buy a loader. Just not today.
As to the OP we have traded a couple of PMs and I have tried to steer him into getting a good shotshell loading manual. That should help get him started the correct way.
The primed hulls l got off GB cost 12.6 cents each. You can get 518 loads from a pound of powder. At $20 thats about .04 per shell and 25 pounds of shot will load 581 11/16oz loads. I paid $39 for 25 lbs of #9 shot. That works out to .07 per shell.
12.6+.04+.07=.24 cents per shot x 25= $6.00 a box. So yep it a little over $5 like I said except I didn't pay those amounts for my componants. Anyway its splitting hairs and all that concerns me is I am not paying $15+tax for a box for shells. Of coarse the reloaded hulls are less.
I haven't patterned them but they have killed every can I have shot them at and killed several turtles in my buddies pond. The farthest I shoot them is about 25 yards and most of the time less than that. They do what I want them to do. Thats all that matters to me. And maybe some day I will buy a loader. Just not today.
As to the OP we have traded a couple of PMs and I have tried to steer him into getting a good shotshell loading manual. That should help get him started the correct way.
Last edited: