getting into .410 reloading - need hulls

[smdub]

A bunch of us have the ATI .410 AR uppers. The problems are:
1) they go though ammo fast and .410 was expensive even before the craziness. We have got to get into reloading these.
2) the AR mags really limit the OAL shell length. Some .410 shell brands are a hair too long to feed. Reloading would allow us to control this dimension.

My dad is a big skeet shooter and reloads. He found me a good deal on a nearly new MEC 600 jr setup in 410. He warned me that 410 hulls are impossible to find now. Wads and Cheddite primers are fairly easy to find online - will prob just order 1000 of ea. I have suitable powder. Is there somewhere local-ish to get shot? (or online cheap enough to offset shipping?) Anyone know of a source for hulls? We aren't picky on brand. We aren't demanding as a skeet shooter I've not reloaded shotgun before so am not plugged in to where to get those components.

 

[E.Shell]

I had a file box full, but I gifted them to some loser here, can't remember his name but he did CB radio work.

Your best bet will probably be to buy a case of AA skeet loads and use those hulls. That way, they're all the same - you can get set up and leave your equipment alone, plus AAs last a good long time compared to most .410 hulls available.

https://www.academy.com/p/winchester-aa-target-load-410-shotshells

The price seems high, but you'll probably be able to get at least 6-8 cycles out of the hulls. FWIW: I just paid $50/box/25 for 10 gauge shells that I picked up for a buddy.

 

[303_enfield]

You have the hardest part to find, the MEC 600. I've been trying to find one for years, not at overpriced prices. Look in the garbage/burn cans on the range. You'll find some hulls. Good luck finding a box of shells under $17. If you do stock up.

 

[Harrys]

You also can use 444 marlin cases.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/using-444-marlin-brass-cases-for-410.523374/

 

[Rockzilla]

sound some presses here...they "sometimes go cheap"

 

[smdub]

I had a file box full, but I gifted them to some loser here, can't remember his name but he did CB radio work.

Your best bet will probably be to buy a case of AA skeet loads and use those hulls. That way, they're all the same - you can get set up and leave your equipment alone, plus AAs last a good long time compared to most .410 hulls available.

https://www.academy.com/p/winchester-aa-target-load-410-shotshells

The price seems high, but you'll probably be able to get at least 6-8 cycles out of the hulls. FWIW: I just paid $50/box/25 for 10 gauge shells that I picked up for a buddy.

Yeah, my dad said AAs are sort of the gold standard for reloading. The price from Academy wouldn't be bad but they are OOS. 410s are almost OOS everywhere. Ammoseek even has limited results. Also, I can't remember if the WinAAs will run in the gun. Would suck to buy a couple hundred rounds and find out they don't feed. I know Winchester slugs works, along w/ American Tactical and Estate target loads. The newer style mags have a little more room inside to fit slightly longer shells. The AR magwell is the limiting factor. If someone made a metal mag you might be able to fit any 2.5" 410 shell. W/ the plastic mags its brand/load specific what fits or doesn't.

You also can use 444 marlin cases.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/using-444-marlin-brass-cases-for-410.523374/

Haha. I saw that some places (Brownells/MidSouth?) sell brass shotgun cases. Don't know what the sealing glue would do to the gas system

 

[85MikeTPI]

Haha. I saw that some places (Brownells/MidSouth?) sell brass shotgun cases. Don't know what the sealing glue would do to the gas system

I have several hundred 444 Marlin cases saved up for 410 use. The glue sealing does no more to gas systems than anything else would. A side benefit is you don’t need a special SG reloader to load them..

 

[Cochise]

I have a 25lb bag of #6 shot I would sell if you need shot. I might have some 410 hulls but probably dont. If I do it isnt many.
Not sure where you are...I'm in Montgomery County

 

[Medusa Joe]

We have Remington 3” & Winchester AA 2.75” hulls and 25lb bags of shot in stock but might be a bit far for you to travel.

 

[The Saint]

I've loaded .410 for years on a MEC; H110 is my choice...up to 11 reloads on some hulls. Crispy, funky, and still running fine in my lever Henry.

 

[Harrys]

A bunch of us have the ATI .410 AR uppers. The problems are:
1) they go though ammo fast and .410 was expensive even before the craziness. We have got to get into reloading these.
2) the AR mags really limit the OAL shell length. Some .410 shell brands are a hair too long to feed. Reloading would allow us to control this dimension.

My dad is a big skeet shooter and reloads. He found me a good deal on a nearly new MEC 600 jr setup in 410. He warned me that 410 hulls are impossible to find now. Wads and Cheddite primers are fairly easy to find online - will prob just order 1000 of ea. I have suitable powder. Is there somewhere local-ish to get shot? (or online cheap enough to offset shipping?) Anyone know of a source for hulls? We aren't picky on brand. We aren't demanding as a skeet shooter I've not reloaded shotgun before so am not plugged in to where to get those components.

Here is a site that sells 410 brass hulls.

410 Brass Shotgun Hulls for 2 1/2

www.buffaloarms.com

 

[John from MD]

A bunch of us have the ATI .410 AR uppers. The problems are:
1) they go though ammo fast and .410 was expensive even before the craziness. We have got to get into reloading these.
2) the AR mags really limit the OAL shell length. Some .410 shell brands are a hair too long to feed. Reloading would allow us to control this dimension.

My dad is a big skeet shooter and reloads. He found me a good deal on a nearly new MEC 600 jr setup in 410. He warned me that 410 hulls are impossible to find now. Wads and Cheddite primers are fairly easy to find online - will prob just order 1000 of ea. I have suitable powder. Is there somewhere local-ish to get shot? (or online cheap enough to offset shipping?) Anyone know of a source for hulls? We aren't picky on brand. We aren't demanding as a skeet shooter I've not reloaded shotgun before so am not plugged in to where to get those components.

As someone who shot tens of thousands of sub rounds in skeet, I can tell you that reloading the .410 was the slowest gauge to load on MEC type equipment. When I upgraded to Posness Warren, it became much easier.

If you are not far from PG Trap and Skeet, you can route around the trash cans but, other than that, the only place I can think of is Ebay as some people sold used hulls there.

When you reload them, I suggest using a ball powder for better consistency. Flake powders like 2400 get stacked in the drop tube too much.

Good luck.

 

[smdub]

Thanks all. Yeah, my dad went into how finicky 410 is to reload. No auto primer feeds, shot bridging, etc. He also said a Posner Warren would be a better machine but said they are on 12mo+ backorder now. 410 stuff doesn't come up used for sale as often as the others. The MEC was a cheap way to start. Seems that a lot of folks online wish Dillon would make a 410 machine.

He also recommended H110 for longest hull life. I have some of that already since its used in 357mag. We are going to have to make the semi-auto gas system happy so I'm expecting to have to play with powders to find something that will cycle reliably.

 

[John from MD]

Thanks all. Yeah, my dad went into how finicky 410 is to reload. No auto primer feeds, shot bridging, etc. He also said a Posner Warren would be a better machine but said they are on 12mo+ backorder now. 410 stuff doesn't come up used for sale as often as the others. The MEC was a cheap way to start. Seems that a lot of folks online wish Dillon would make a 410 machine.

He also recommended H110 for longest hull life. I have some of that already since its used in 357mag. We are going to have to make the semi-auto gas system happy so I'm expecting to have to play with powders to find something that will cycle reliably.

H-110 is a good powder but it is so fine that it makes a mess around the machine. Keep a shop vac handy and you will be ok.

 

[Markpixs]

Hey, hadn't been on the site for a while, out of the area taking care of family. You still need some .410 hulls, have some (like 100) Remington Nitro/STS once-fired you can have. most of my AAs are a little used these day. Not sure where you are but i'm in Leesburg. Can ship if you pay postage

 

[smdub]

Thanks for the offer! (I replied to your PM) My dad sent a couple doz hulls & wads up w/ the press. Enough to tinker with. I have powder but will go looking for primers & shot. I don't want to pay Brownells hazmat & shipping just yet so I might look for some @ the gun show over new years weekend. Else will take a trip up north to get some. I should be heading by Green Top in VA the first week of Jan so there is another opportunity. Winter is here so I'll just work up a load that cycles and bide my time until we can order a ton of identical hulls.

 

[John from MD]

Bass pro had shotgun primers when I was up there last week.

 

[fabsroman]

Have you checked out PG Trap & Skeet. It isn't all that far from you and it is where I normally buy my shot for reloading. When I first started shooting clays in 1993, I bought all my reloading stuff there. Then, I found Gamaliel's and bought everything except shot from Gamaliel's. Gamaliel's is now owned by Brownell's and I have yet to try to order anything from Brownell's for reloading. If you go to PG Trap & Skeet, just realize they have nothing larger than #7.5. So, if you are looking for larger pellets, you will be SOL there. They might have .410 in stock, but they are not the cheapest on shells. Walmart has .410 in stock once in a while. I might be going to Walmart in the morning. If I do, I'll check for you.

Prince George's County Trap & Skeet Center | MNCPPC, MD

Whether enjoyed as a personal hobby or competitive sport, clay target shooting can become an enjoyable lifetime activity.

www.mncppc.org

 

[Medusa Joe]

Thanks for the offer! (I replied to your PM) My dad sent a couple doz hulls & wads up w/ the press. Enough to tinker with. I have powder but will go looking for primers & shot. I don't want to pay Brownells hazmat & shipping just yet so I might look for some @ the gun show over new years weekend. Else will take a trip up north to get some. I should be heading by Green Top in VA the first week of Jan so there is another opportunity. Winter is here so I'll just work up a load that cycles and bide my time until we can order a ton of identical hulls.

if you don't find shot & primers before the chantilly gun show, stop by our table at the show. we'll have shot (#6-#9; $55 per bag of 25lbs) and i can bring a few hundred primers to sell you to get you started. PM me what brand of primers you're looking for.

 

[Markpixs]

Medusa Joe will do you right, hooked me up on some Remington 20 gauge wads I wasn't finding anywhere. Good people and we met up at the Chantilly show.