Mossberg 500 410 pump

[ncmn]

Been researching buying a pump or an o/u for shooting pests at home and possibly skeet/trap. The o/u made in Turkey guns look nice but not sure how they will hold up? Looking for opinions on Walmart's standard 410 pump? Going to cast buckshot in it and #9 shot. Maybe shooting several times a month, maybe 500 rounds or so. Got a Mec 600 jr to do the loading so cost will be down. Do you think the cheap Mossberg will hold up to that amount of shooting? Right now I wouldn't want to spend anymore than I have too for just a fun gun.Shooting my single with cast buck shot is great but I need two shots to play around on the skeet range just for fun. Lot of the posts I have saw said that they are junk but I love my 12 gauge 500 just cant take the pounding anymore. Thoughts please guys and be nice I know it's just 410.

[megasupermagnum]

Mossberg's survive well over 100,000 rounds. I've never heard of anyone truly wearing one out.

[ncmn]

Well the problems I have read about are just 410 related 500s. That is why I asked because I know the other gauges are fine guns. Maybe it is the smaller receiver or lower quality in the little 410?

[megasupermagnum]

I don't believe there would be any problems specific to the 410. I would be more inclined to blame the shell than the gun. .410's are a real bear to load, even for the factories. Based on the fact you want to reload, I would say without a doubt you should discount the .410. You can load 20 gauge very light. Plenty of guys load 1/2 ounce in 20 gauge. They are so much easier to load, you can find hulls anywhere. I would never want a pump .410 unless you have pencil thin fingers.

[rking22]

I own, shoot and dearly love 410 pumpguns. That said, and considering what you want to do , I would suggest a 20ga loaded at the 3/4 oz range. 410s are a ball on the skeet range, my son carries a 97+ 410 NSSA average, but that is with a tubed Blazer OU. We can hang around 90% with my M42 or Flightking but that is not a typical experience. They 410 pumps are very difficult to shoot well, but a big giggle when you do!
I have no experience with Mossberg but have never known anyone to wear one out. Design is not that different from my Flightking that is from the early 60s. Loading 410 is more aggravating than 20s but very cost effective compared to factory. Hulls don’t last long, and are hard to come by. Wads, generally need to mail order, no buggy but something to consider. If you already have the MEC and in 410, then grab a good used 500 and have some fun. If you don’t already have the 410 setup, think hard on going with a 20. We shoot lots of 3/4 oz loads in 20 and A LOT of 7/8 oz 12 gage.
Many of the Turkey made OU guns have horrid, like 10+ lb triggers! Yildiz and CZ do make decent 410 doubles. I think there is a Mossberg or Stevens made in Turkey that folks like and there are some autos too.

Oh, 16 yard trap with a 410 pump will make a preacher cuss!!!

[turtlezx]

tristar turkey gun 410 O/u $450 ONLINE shoot skeet weekly 5 chokes come with it
use cheddite or fieochie hulls load easy and out last AAs

[Rcmaveric]

I have a Maverik 88 in 12g. Mossbergs own cheaper clone of its self. Had for 5 years. It seems 500 rounds a year between skeet and hunting. I cast buck, shot and slugs for it and use a Lee Load all 2.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[ncmn]

I have been looking at tristar and yildez both online. I do own a yildez single 410 that is 3 lbs and its fun to shoot but I got it on sale. It has beautiful wood and almost folds in half. I bought it to saw off the barrel and carry hiking but I cant bring myself to do it, it's just too nice. I already download 12 gauge to 7/8 and thinking about trying 3/4. I am a beginner at shotgun sports though and it's been 36 years since I have hunting birds with one. I want to have fun and not worry about missing Clay's or scores. Kind of stress relief from day job. I will keep looking and yes the mec is 410 but have not used it yet, as I am still collecting supplies.

[gunarea]

Hey ncmn

I have, shoot and reload for, on a regular basis, a Mossberg 500 in 410 bore. If you already have a MEC 600, so be it. The 410 is a favorite of mine and has been for over fifty years now. Makes and models are what they are, I been through most. The new 500s in 410 are made specifically for the shell. Older models not so much. Yes, an older model became unusable after twenty years of use and abuse. Mine and other kids were the most detrimental thing involved in the demise. Loading 410 for fifty years has also educated me about tools and hulls. Here are some points and tips.

Mossberg makes a fine pump, full choke only. Full size firearm shoulders well, points easy, swings fast and has a good shotgun trigger. A cut down, replacement butt stock, switches out easily when smaller/younger shooters want to play. 3" chamber but does best with 2 3/4" shells. 3" shells need full cycle attention, 2" shells need different cycle full attention.

MEC Sizemaster is non progressive and best all around for custom and reasonable production. Grabber models best for higher production. Both have collet sizing and grabber has three stage crimp, important for hull scrounging. Neither need skived or pre folded hulls.

500 wads at a time generally costs more for shipping than the actual product. Wad options are few, 2" shells require wads to be hand trimmed with scissors. Shot sizes bigger than #7 1/2 require special attention for proper crimp. Roll crimp is another option but comes with another whole nother set of issues.

You can effectively size hulls using a 45acp size die with the decapping rod assembly removed. Don't remember the seat # off the top of my head but the Lee seat set obviously covers it. This will help with range pickups. Reloading will make you a thorough and skilled scrounger. All my kids are experts!! The 410 fits snugly into 1/2" cpvc pipe, this is something to remember later on when the knowledge becomes particularly and painfully useful.

Punkin balls and slugs don't really cost a dollar each as retail would have us believe. Handloading 410s will evolve into a regime of supply and demand you may never have imagined. My boys are now large men, 410 is still tops. Pull the trigger on a Walmart gun and thank me later.

Roy

[rking22]

The Yildiz single you have is a wonderful little gun! The Tristar is the auto I have a bit of experience with, belongs to a friend. It is a nice handling shotgun, small scale but well balanced. 28 gage forum has lots of people who like them.
That Yildiz is a ball on skeet singles, I have 2. Bought the gun to build a little 32SWL took rifle. Found it too much fun as a shotgun and went back for another to build the rifle! 3/4 oz in 12 gage is a decent load, have shot a bunch on international skeet practice. When going thru a flat a day,6 days a week, every little bit of savings counts.
Grab the 410 of your choice and have fun, the lil Yildiz makes grown men giggle!

[ncmn]

I appreciate all the help and I am sure looking for hulls will be problem for me cause I do not know anyone local that shoots one. I bought 100 AA's awhile back to save after shooting. Right now I I have the proper wads and have plenty of win primers. Going to the skeet range the first time I'm sure will be a humbling experience. I have never even seen skeet or trap shooting so I have much to learn. I do have a serious addiction with reloading though as I reload everything I shoot. As well as cast for for them all as well. Going to try throwing up some clays and trying to hit them with the little Yildiz before going to the range. The local Academy has a Yildiz SxS in stock but I have not seen it yet. Little steep price for my budget though. It does have 5 chokes which the Mossberg does not offer. Going to look for hulls now keep the ideas coming guys.

[rking22]

Not knowing your exact location, but I know there is a good bit of skeet shot near Morgantown. Most serious skeet shooters turn their nose up at the Rio/Fiochii type hulls. I find they load just fine and can be scrounged at registered shoots. The factory Rio is about 2/3 the price of AA and they will shoot them in competition and trash the hulls. I rarely find pickup 410s anywhere else. We have been at sporting clays shoots, my son can tell when I have spotted a 410 or 16 gage hull! He knows I am going dumpster diving, has finall given in and joins me:)

[toallmy]

I suggest getting one and trying your best to wear it out .
The few cents you pay extra for once fired hulls is saved back quickly in components .
A little tidbit that will help get a few more loads out of your hulls - some powders burn the crimp more than others .

[ncmn]

I did make a post on wtb AA hulls and the powder I have is H110. I hope that will not burn the hulls too badly. I'm going to try the skeet range in Gastonia and Shelby to see what it is like.

[rking22]

I use 296, same as your H110, it isn’t as hard on hulls as Lil Gun. That stuff burns them up. One thing, especially with 410s, keep your hulls together by type. If you get the crimp just right for your AA the loader will purr, if you change hulls it will NOT be fun. Niece setup for the different hull it will run well again. 8 1/2 and 9s load easiest, 7 1/2 like to hang in the drop tube and spill as the handle Tops out. Stuff I get way with in 12ga just won’t work with the little crayons.

[ncmn]

Well got the Mec 600 Jr setup and loading about 50 hulls and found it easier than I thought it would be. I loaded new Cheddite primed hulls and AA's that had been one shot. Now I have to open up my 1/2oz as I can only get about 223 gr out of it after try at opening it up. At first it was only dropping 219 gr. Does anyone know right of the top of their head what is the legal size for skeet grains. I have heard from 229 to 232? I am loading Eagle # 9 as that was all I could find. Now if I could just find a Mossberg 410 in stock and I might be set to try it at a round of skeet.

[trapper9260]

I got 2 410 one a Savage that is a 22/410 and still no problem I got it back in about 1983 and then a few years ago I got the Moss like you looking into and love it.I made some brass shells for the 410 use my Savage to do it and they work good in my Moss ,it is 3" I made will work on make some 2 1/2" sometime .

[rking22]

232 gr is max but Don’t waste your effort or mental energy worrying about getting exactly 1/2 oz of shot in the 410. It is meaningless, all the bushings throw slightly short to be sure loads are within the allowed max. Another pellet or two is not going to break a target you did not point well. That is planning for failure and hoping for a golden bb. Load a good shell and have confidence, a target centered with the 410 will smoke just like a 20. Issue with the 410 is two fold, dia of the pattern that yields a certain break is smaller due to the lower shot count( no a couple more don’t matter). Primarily people are timid with it and try not to miss, a lack of confidence, shoot it like you shoot a 12 and they will break lots better!

Remember, the bushing volume is only “right” with the size shot you set it with. Open to get 232gr of #8 and you are over weight if you then load #9s.

[turtlezx]

open shot bushing or bar to give the correct hight of shot for the hull your using
hull capacity varies between brands
dont worry about max grains your not shooting reg matches

[turtlezx]

437 grs per 1oz
218.5 1/2 oz

[rking22]

2014 NSSA rule update allows up to 232 in 410, as I said it don’t matter. I like your idea of adjusting for crimp, I will do that on my 3 inch!

[garandsrus]

I have shot skeet for about 30 years. It’s a lot of fun! I started with a Rem 870 in 20ga and put thousands of rounds through it. I don’t think I ever shot a 25 straight with it, but I know I was close several times. A miss was due to me, not the gun. I switched to a Citori O/U in 20ga when I started shooting a lot more sporting clays. No more picking up hulls off the ground! Choke tubes also made a difference. My 870 is old enough that choke tubes hadn’t been invented yet.

I recently got a good deal on a 410 MEC So I bought a 10” 410 Contender barrel and a Mossberg 500 in 410. I am looking forward to shooting both. I have shot a 410 Rem 870 a couple times and liked it. I expect to miss a few more birds than I normally would, but I am OK with that.

I would NOT want to learn how to shoot skeet with a 410. A new skeet shooter will be doing good if s/he gets 12-15 or so targets out of 25. Many people start a lot lower than that! A 410 would probably cause a new shooter to drop a few more birds per round, and they might get frustrated and quit shooting. A 20 or 12ga would probably be a lot easier to start with.

I do load 20ga with 3/4 oz and 12 ga with 1 oz of shot. Both still work very well on the skeet field.

[ncmn]

Well went and picked up a Mossberg 500 410 pump today. Took it home and took it apart and cleaned it. Got it lubed up and run a few shells to check feeding. Was dark when I got finished so couldn't shoot it. Pretty impressed with the little guy, didn't find any burrs or bad matching marks in the gun so we will see how it does. I am sure the guys at the range will horse laugh me when I show up to shoot skeet, but don't care for me it's about having fun and learning. I'm sure it will not be easy or smart to try it but if I hit any I will be happy. If I like skeet I may try an o/u later but right now this is it. Squirrels raiding the bird feeders better watch out now. Thanks for all the help and it will be fun to try. Going to try and pattern the little guy this week and that will be interesting.

[garandsrus]

Ncmn,

A good way to learn how to shoot skeet is to shoot “stations” by yourself. In other words, start at station 7 (easiest on the field) and shoot the high and low house 6 or 7 times. After getting comfortable with those, your next stop would be station 1. Do the same there. This will use up your 25 shells. After those two stations are pretty good, go to station 2 and 6. Once you are doing well there, shoot 3, 4, and 5. These are the hardest stations because they require the most lead and you are farthest from the targets.

Have fun!

[turtlezx]

ncmm what choke is it??

[ncmn]

Thanks that will help I am sure if they will let me do that? It is standard full choke and I know that will probably be another big handicap. I may take the 12 gauge o/u to learn how to shoot. Just got spine issues and shoulder issues already that is why I was looking at 410. I actually bought the cheap o/u about 8 years ago to shoot skeet but never got around to it. It does have 4 chokes and I bought AA's reduced loads in #9 at the same time as I was worried about my back and shoulder. Hey I am learning a lot already from y'all.

[Duckiller]

ncmm since you reload try loading your 12 ga with 7/8 oz at 1100fps. This load will operate an 1100 with low felt recoil. I don't like getting beat up and this load worked for me. Got load data from a Lyman manual. Probably used 700x powder.

[Hogtamer]

^^^ What he said. Will add #9 shot and mod choke to break skeet birds all day.

[ncmn]

I only have a Lee loader II for 12 gauge that I was loading slugs with and it works fine for that but it is a little slow and now that I have used a Mec I see the difference. I was really not crazy about reloading 12 gauge for skeet or trap due to cost of shot but I figured with the cost of 410 I had to reload them. I did load some 12 gauge 7/8oz #8 with Clays but I was planning on using them on trap. Yes guys I want to try both skeet and trap to see what I like the best. Just figured that the 410 would be better for skeet than trap. As a beginner at shotgun and shotgun reloading I have a lot to learn. I am going to take both guns to the range tomorrow and try the 12 gauge first, and I am sure that will probably convince me that I need more experience before shooting the 410 on a skeet range. The little 410 sure was a joy to shoot after shooting those 12 gauge slugs :bigsmyl2:

[ncmn]

Well shot my first two rounds of skeet in my life today, and I am sure glad I took the 12 gauge. I had no idea what I was getting into, and them little skeet were faster than I thought. No danger in me taking the 410 until I get more rounds under my belt. I shot the 1oz low recoil loads and they were fine on recoil. Glad I went and I had a ball and that's what its all about right. No idea of how many I hit in 2 rounds, hit more than I thought I would but missed a lot as well. Had no idea where to hold or where they were going but I am learning and it was great fun guys. Will be back for sure. Not going to give up on shooting the 410 though but its going to be awhile.
Thanks

[rking22]

Glad you enjoyed yourself, so many let the misses get in the way of the fun. Enjoy the hits, learn from the misses, and above all, be safe and have fun.

[garandsrus]

Sounds like you are hooked! Did you shoot full rounds or stations?

[ncmn]

RK I appreciate all the help you have offered and the other guys as well. I was nervous as I could get shooting with the guys but next time it will be better as I'm in for fun. Just hate I waited this long to try it. I will take the little 410 soon as I don't mind the misses but they did say I had the best break of all of them on the last station, it was luck but it sure looked good. All 3 had shot skeet a lot and they had misses as well and they weren't shooting 1oz loads. Did a little cleaning on 410 after I got home so it's ready to pattern now. Thanks for the help.

[ncmn]

We shot 2 full rounds, I just shot singles where the doubles are at. That was hard enough for me. Plus sun was going down and they were hard to see against the trees.

[Rich/WIS]

When I was in the Army shot a lot of skeet, but with a 12 not a 410. Was terrible at first but the Skeet Club had videos that helped a lot, showed the view from the shooter point of view and really helped in terms of lead for each station. We had a club member who coached me as well. After all that could do 23-24 a round and even broke 25 a number of times. If you're new suggest checking the club where you shoot to see if those videos still exist and/or see if there is someone there who can coach you. Shot a 410 for sporting clays at my last club in WI, didn't do great but had a lot of fun. Moved to KY and nothing local so haven't shot it since. My 410 is a SKB O/U choked IC and Mod and I reloaded AA hulls with 1/2 oz of #9 on a MEC 600. Somewhere along the way Win supposedly made changes in the hull and older data may be incorrect, others say there is no difference. Have enough of the old hulls and components if I reload for it again that I am not worried, but might be wise to check if using AA hulls. And yes, crimping can be an adventure with the 410.

[rking22]

I am attaching a link that I hope will take you to a regular newsletter that is sent to NSSA/NSCA members. I hope it will work and is not tied to my membership. Try to open it, if it works you will find links to videos from certified coaches and multi time national champions. This info is valid, unlike a lot of u tube stuff and club experts. Good fundamentals make it lots easier. Hope it works
https://mailchi.mp/nssa-nsca/nssa-nsca-target-talk-shooting-news-from-nssa-and-nsca-iwyaebdbh2-146101?e=fc72281829

Looking at this reminded me, if you ever get a chance to watch the USAMU shotgun guys do a show, make it a point to attend. One of the guys is a NC native and sitting in a very comfortable position to make the 2020 Olympic team. 5 men really close in score with one more selection shoot left. Two slots, Vincent Hancock is 1st, 5 others on his heals for the 2nd slot. Dustan Taylor is the young man from North Carolina.

Sorry for the off topic, but Skeet is an Olympic sport! Slightly more intense version, but still skeet. I know one of the other 4 very well, and have shot with and refereed for all. They work extremely hard to represent our country well.

[ncmn]

rking22 Thanks for the help and the link does seem to work and I will check to see if the videos work. After reading the posts again I am not going to mess with the oz drop as you are right it is close enough. Got more to learn about the stations and leads right now than worrying about opening up the shot bar. I think the 410 will be a lot of fun and with reloading I feel like I could get the cost below the 12 gauge box store costs. I appreciate all the comments and help guys.

[ncmn]

I went to the range today and shot a round of trap with the 12 gauge. Did not exactly do real good, as I am trying to get the gun to fit me. I had the little Mossberg 410 with me and nobody was around so I said what the heck. I went up to the 16 yard line and just shot station 3 to see if I could hit anything. I managed to break 3 real good and pushed some sideways but they did not break. Man I had a ball, the little 410 is a pleasure to shoot and the gun fits me so much better than the 12 gauge. I am only going to shoot the 410 now, and I am going try a round of skeet next. If my buddies horse laugh me it will not bother me as the little Mossberg is just plain fun to shoot. Maybe it will help me learn to shoot better as I will not be worried about recoil. Got to remember to keep both eyes open and that is new to me being a rifle shooter.

[turtlezx]

the 410 is not a trap gun
if you could stand on top of the house you would get them

[ncmn]

I had a good laugh at that turtlezx, as I knew it was not a trap gun but I am not a shotgun shooter either. I was having fun and that was the first time the little Mossberg had been shot. Totally amazed that I hit anything with it, as I have no idea how to shot trap. Sure was fun trying though and skeet is next....

[Hamish]

Alliant 300MP is turning up over and over in the research I have been doing the last week on .410 as giving top velocity, and very, very low pressure, which in turn is very forgiving on the hulls.

[ncmn]

I might have to look at that as my H110 is almost completely gone. I was looking at buying 8# but may need to rethink it now. Thanks

[turtlezx]

buy #9s you need all the pellets you can get
powder 110 2400 4227 little gun 410 all work

[ncmn]

turtlezx I only load #9 shot and I was talking about 8lb of powder and that was my mistake. I only had 1lb of H110 and it is getting low. I need to order some powder and MP300 is a little cheaper and I am thinking about loading for 1,300 instead of 1,200 and it has a little lower pressure as well.

[Hamish]

ncmn,

Am told that the listed velocity is actually a bit higher, but have not chrono'd it.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx?gauge=410&gtypeid=3

[Moleman-]

I have a 410 mossberg. Guy I got it from said it jammed a lot and his gunsmith could never get it to run right. Got it cheap enough to let the kids use it and if it was only a single shot would make no difference hunting squirrels and rabbits. Took it out and ran a couple boxes of shells through it no issues. Then tried working the action slowly which would cause a jam almost every time. I think the issue he had with it was babying the gun while cycling it. If you get one, treat it like any other pump action and let the forearm smack to a stop at either end of it's travel.

[ncmn]

I am really enjoying the 410 and glad I finally got around to buying one. I have not be able to shoot skeet with it yet but have shot couple boxes through it with no problems at all. It functions fine with my reloads and that is a big plus. Reloading is the only way I can afford to shoot the little 410's. When warm weather gets here I will be shooting more and I am sure it will get its workout. Great gun for the money in my book.