410 Tri-ball loads.

[gpidaho]

I'd like opinions here please. My 410 is a simple break barrel smooth bore with a fixed modified choke. (Rossi) Measuring the choke with -pin gauge it measures .404. Do you believe that RBs measuring .402 would be too large? I don't have enough experience to know just how much they might bump up in the bore before reaching the choke and if they do bump up, just how much swaging down can be safely counted on in the choke. Thanks Gp

[725]

Without a shot cup, I'd think it would be fine. Adding the thickness of a plastic shot cup would make a tight fit. Follow published guidelines for powder & throw weight.

[bikerbeans]

Depends on the alloy used. A hard alloy will bump less or not at all. A very soft alloy will probably bump up to bore diameter.

IMO, the safe way to load would be with hard alloy RBs that are well under your choke ID and put the balls in a shotcup or wrap. The factory loaded 410 buckshot loads are usually 000, 0.36" of so, 000 is smaller than a 410 FC.



BB

[Hogtamer]

If it fits in the hull without bulging shoot 'em! Needs to be full bore for a decent pattern.

[Combat Diver]

Got a full choked .410 Pardner, would .375 RB pure lead or wheelweights work? 3 RBs should be close to a 1/2 oz load.

CD

[jdfoxinc]

I would just use 00 in a shot cup for 2 1/2". I was sent a copy of an article from the 80's about a 3" load using 3 00 in a 2 1/2" shot cup with 2 000 on top roll crimped, over 16 gr 2400. Search for my posts, need help reproducing Winchester 3" 5 000 buckshot load. The artical is an image so i was able to save it on my phone.

[RMc]

gpidaho,

For use in the 2.5" 410 bore, I would suggest using a 4 pellet load of .32" to .33" hard cast lead balls inside a 410 plastic shotcup wad. This should give you a payload of 192 to 208* grains or just under 1/2 ounce. Keeping the velocity to a maximum of 1200 fps should also help maintain tighter patterns.

Rule of thumb for inline buckshot loads:
Two times the wad petal thickness plus the pellet diameter should not exceed exit diameter of the choke.

Pellets cast from pure lead will swage outward under the stress of firing and should not be used in any inline multiple ball load.

If you have not started casting I suggest checking out Hunter's Supply Cast Bullets for hard cast 00B / .33" pellets.

*Wheel weight alloy.

See:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/roundball.htm?v1=.33&v2=2771.4542

[gpidaho]

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. Yes, I've been casting and reloading for years, just lately my interest has become shotgun loads, especially Round ball and slugs and some buckshot loads. As soon as I get a safe powder charge figured out here's my goal for the 410 shotgun mentioned above. 2 1/2 or 3 inch 410 3 to 5 round ball on a gas seal, fiber wad stack. I have a .395 RB Lee mould that drops large. When I powder coat these I end up with a .401-.402 RB I would be counting on the PC to do the job of a wrap. The ones I have made up (not loaded yet) are soft lead + a little tin. After some thought about advice given here I think I'll cast up some out of WW alloy and hopefully they won't bump up too much for the .404 constriction. Thoughts? Gp

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I think the BPI slug and buckshot manual has some recipes for .410 buckshot. I can't check my copy right now as I'm about 1100 miles as the crow flies from home.

[gpidaho]

Thank you Charlie. I have that BPI manual also. Gp