410 shot shell reloading

[gpidaho]

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

[rancher1913]

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

[W.R.Buchanan]

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

[Ozarkflyflinger]

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.

[TNsailorman]

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

[Trophy Tom]

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”.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[turtlezx]

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

[toallmy]

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 .

[Shawlerbrook]

Add me to the ....make the investment and get the MEC list !

[toallmy]

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 .

[fivegunner]

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 .:smile:

[gpidaho]

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

[jdfoxinc]

Just buy the conversion. Yes it is morecomplicated than switching tool heads ot turrets but it is much less than a whole press.

[trapper9260]

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..

[WebMonkey]

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.

[W.R.Buchanan]

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

[wrench man]

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.:cool:

[lightload]

For dove hunting does the 3 inch shell offer much advantage over the 2.5 inch?

[EDG]

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.

[Duckdog]

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.

[detret]

I have 2 of them. The X Ring ones.
I looked at the Paco Kelly one.
I took a chance and went ahead and got the one from The X Ring USA.
First I got the 12ga. It did a great job.

Bought a single shot 410
I went ahead and got the 410. Well made and in my opinion better than what Lee used to make.
Does a nice job and the parts are quality. My crimps on both come out pretty decent.
Thats just my take on it.
Attached a pic. of some of my 12 ga. reloads with it. Hope they show



269016

[cwlongshot]

Also know that the LEE is made for 3" shells..

The MeC is the way to go for sure.

Im
Also getting back into loading 410. For me mostly wanna load buck shot or heavy shot loads and some slugs too. But Ill be loading shot as well. I have a MeC too.

Good luck

CW

[jdfoxinc]

A member here sent me 2 photos of an article in handloaders digest. It gives published load data for buckshot loads. PM me your email and I'll send them to you.

[gpidaho]

Thanks for all the comments on this old thread. After buying the survival 410 loader and a Mec 600 die set (later sold here) I find it easy to load the 410s with no more than a punch, a dowel and a roll crimp tool, all for under $30. For loading single or up to five round ball loads, BPI sells a data sheet or down load "Making the 410 shoot like a rifle" Good reference. Gp

[cwlongshot]

A member here sent me 2 photos of an article in handloaders digest. It gives published load data for buckshot loads. PM me your email and I'll send them to you.

Seems your PM box is full. I cannot send. Can ya PM me?

CW

[cwlongshot]

For loading single or up to five round ball loads, BPI sells a data sheet or down load "Making the 410 shoot like a rifle" Good reference. Gp


Nothing comes up using that as a search line.

Do you have a good link?

CW

[gpidaho]

CW: 410 bore rifle loads BPI product #00BBX410 $1.99 All the loads use LilGun powder One ball to five. Gp

[cwlongshot]

CW: 410 bore rifle loads BPI product #00BX410 $1.99 All the loads use LilGun powder One ball to five. Gp
NO SUCH NUMBER comes up searching at BPI :???::???::???:


Is that the wad that appears To be able to be used either way? As if holding one ball
On a "mount"?

CW

[ulav8r]

Maybe the #00BX410 is now included in the small bore manusl: https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Small-Bore-Manual-24-28-32-410-10th-ed/productinfo/00MSB/ "Everything in our extensive load library for 24ga, 28ga, 32ga, and .410 bore."

[gpidaho]

Sorry, missed a B #00BBX410 Gp

[cwlongshot]

Thank you!! Ill check

I have a BPI manual coming. But I grabbed the buck shot manual.

[Shawlerbrook]

https://fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/homemade-410-reloading-kit/60500

[ulav8r]

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Brochure-410-Bore-Rifle-Loads/productinfo/00BBX410/ Found in the technical brochures section.


They currently have some load data available for free download. https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Downloadable-Load-Data-Brochures/products/862/

[jdfoxinc]

I sent you a PM with my email. Also cleared out my in box. I'll send another PM.

[cwlongshot]

I sent you a PM with my email. Also cleared out my in box. I'll send another PM.

TY!!

Much appreciated!