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Thread: 410 shot shell reloading

  1. #1
    Boolit Master gpidaho's Avatar
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    410 shot shell reloading

    I've been looking for some tooling to reload .410 shells. Something less expensive than the Mec 600 Jr. Seems like all the Lee Loaders in 410 that are available on Ebay have broken or missing this or that and sellers still want one hundred dollars plus. I came across a loading kit this morning manufactured by The X Ring USA marketed as a survival tool set. It works somewhat along the lines of a Lee loader with less whacking involved. It's just sixty five dollars with free shipping. Anyone have any experience with this reloader? Gp

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
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    not that one, but "paco kelly" makes some, you might google him and see what he has.

  3. #3
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    W.R.Buchanan's Avatar
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    GP: been there and done that. None of the "basic" tools will produce a good looking .410 shell. The problem is getting the crimp to close right and none of them do it well at all, and if you do succeed in getting a decent looking shell you probably put way too much work into it.

    Just get the MEC!. You'll make perfect reloads with very little effort.

    When I bought my Browning .410 O/U, I went out and bought a Pacific DL 266 in .410. I had to pay $250 for it as they are some what rare, but it works very well.

    MEC's are about $160 for a new one.

    I already had a Paco Kelly Kit and a Lee .410 kit neither of which would produce a consistent crimp, so I sold both.

    A MEC 600 Jr in .410 won't break the bank, as you're going to pay $100+ for either one of the other "Kits," but it will produce perfect reloads right out of the box, and you will always be able to get your money back out when you're done with it. Just keep it covered with a plastic bag when not in use and it will stay looking new, and you won't lose any value.

    Best advice I can give.

    Randy
    Last edited by W.R.Buchanan; 05-19-2018 at 05:30 PM.
    "It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,,It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do!"
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  4. #4
    Boolit Mold
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    I have loaded several thousand .410 for the skeet range.
    The mec 600 JR is well worth the money.
    Produces a quality shell every time.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master



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    Randy and Ozarkflyflinger both gave good advice and said it well enough that I really can't add anything better. I have owned several MEC reloaders and never was disappointed with either of them. james

  6. #6
    Boolit Bub
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    I agree on the Mec
    I have a 28 ga & a 20 ga. Bought them both on eBay. Never looked back. I save my Hulls and when I get a pile I just mount which ever one I need on my loading bench and load. A few wing nuts and its back put up in a storage cabinet. The 410 will cost you a premium on eBay but pay attention to whether it has 2 1/2 “
    Dies or 3”.


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  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    mec 410 600jr are running about $220 may get free shipping some places like Midway
    410s are the
    cheepest to reload and most to buy new ammo companies are a rip off 1/2 the components twice the price of 12ga

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    toallmy's Avatar
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    I looked for a lee loader in 410 for a while to but at the price and condition , I went with a Mec as well it is simple and reliable .

  9. #9
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Add me to the ....make the investment and get the MEC list !

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    If you are patient you can pick up a Mec grabber or older 650 used in 410 around the same price as a new 600 Jr off of e bay . I don't know how much you want to load but if your thinking about a lee loader take a look at role crimping , or a home made kit .

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    loading the 410

    If you are going to buy brand new or if you could get one used I would get the Mec sizemaster in 410 . It will size the base of your shells . if you get hulls once fired sometimes the 600jr won`t size them tight enough to fit you gun easily . the sizemaster will .

  12. #12
    Boolit Master gpidaho's Avatar
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    Thanks to all for the comments and advice. I'm no stranger to the Mec 600 Jr.s, I own two. I just didn't think I'd be using enough 410 shells to justify a $220 loader. $220 worth of 410 shells would most likely last me a LONG time. That said, Reloading is my hobby and as a money saver I'm a complete failure. With what I have invested in equipment I could shoot a Tommy gun for years. LOL I think I can load 410 with odds and ends I have on hand with the addition of a BPI roll crimper and will just go that way by trimming 3" shells to 2 1/2" and roll crimping. Gp

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Just buy the conversion. Yes it is morecomplicated than switching tool heads ot turrets but it is much less than a whole press.
    QUIS CUSTODIET IPSOS CUSTODES?

  14. #14
    Boolit Master trapper9260's Avatar
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    I use a Mec ,I also use the Lee to finish the 3" shell.I do all the 2 1/2" on the Mec. I did made up a hand loader like the Lee in a way ,for one of my sisters.Some of the parts can be bought from Mec..
    Life Member of NRA,NTA,DAV ,ITA. Also member of FTA,CBA

  15. #15
    Boolit Master



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    i can do a box of 410 pretty quick with my lee whackerizational kit.
    they are for my bride and youngest kids/grandkids so i call it good.
    i think my shells are consistent but my kit came with crimp starters and i always use them.

    i personally use 20ga like they're free so i got a real press for those.


    like other comments, there is no reason for ME to spend the coin on a mec for 410.
    i just don't require the output. i doesn't mean i don't think they are excellent tools for the job.

    good luck with however you go.
    WebMonkey
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  16. #16
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    W.R.Buchanan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gpidaho View Post
    Thanks to all for the comments and advice. I'm no stranger to the Mec 600 Jr.s, I own two. I just didn't think I'd be using enough 410 shells to justify a $220 loader. $220 worth of 410 shells would most likely last me a LONG time. That said, Reloading is my hobby and as a money saver I'm a complete failure. With what I have invested in equipment I could shoot a Tommy gun for years. LOL I think I can load 410 with odds and ends I have on hand with the addition of a BPI roll crimper and will just go that way by trimming 3" shells to 2 1/2" and roll crimping. Gp
    If you aren't going to load a bunch, then what you are proposing is a good way to do it. The BPI Roll Crimper works great, and for <$25 you can't beat it.

    The rest of loading a .410 can be done with a nail and a piece of dowel. Might want to get a MEC Wad Guide to make that easier. I think they are around $6.

    For $220 you would get about 450 factory loaded .410's ($12.50 a box) If you think you'd ever shoot more than that, get the MEC.

    Randy
    "It's not how well you do what you know how to do,,,It's how well you do what you DON'T know how to do!"
    www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

  17. #17
    Boolit Master wrench man's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jdfoxinc View Post
    Just buy the conversion. Yes it is morecomplicated than switching tool heads ot turrets but it is much less than a whole press.
    That's exactly what I did, the 16ga dies sit in the box on the back of the bench, the .410 shells get reloaded!,
    Oh, and I got the 16 set up press for FREE.
    ASE master certified engine machinist
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    For dove hunting does the 3 inch shell offer much advantage over the 2.5 inch?

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    Here is a minimal tool reloading process for the .410.

    https://youtu.be/D5gWXaP04QA

    There are many .410 reloading videos on youtube but the link I posted appears to require few tools. You might have to buy a punch to make the over shot card wads.
    EDG

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy
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    I made my own. It is pretty simple to do. You can use a crimp starter and crimp finisher off a MEC if you want a perfect star crimp. I usually us a Precision Reloading roll crimper. Much better than the BP. I have both and the P.R. crimper makes a better roll crimp. It is pretty much a knock off of the old Lyman roll crimpers.

    There are plenty of vids on youtube that will show you how to fabricate your own setup.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check