What is the Best .410 Reloading Press and Why You Would Need One
Standard reloading presses work great for rifle and handgun ammunition, but most presses are simply too small to successfully reload shotgun shells. Cartridges for rifles and handguns are basically the same, they just come in different sizes. They all have a primer, a case, a bullet and a propellant powder.
In addition to the primer, case, bullet, and gunpowder, shotgun shells also have shot and a “wad” that goes between the powder and the shot. The additional parts mean that you need additional steps to make good shotgun shells. Also, most shotgun shell cases have paper or plastic components, making them less durable for reloading purposes. While you might be able to reload a brass case a dozen times, you might only get three or four reloads out of a used shotgun shell.
Because shotgun shells are built differently than rifle and handgun ammunition, you will want a specialized press to build them with. It is possible to use a standard single stage reloading press to reload them, but it takes flexibility and some expertise with reloading, as you will have to modify various parts of the shot shell to make it work. There are also ways to reload shotgun shells with various tools that you have lying around at home. However, if you’re a beginner, you’re much better off getting a specialized press than trying to use a single stage press or your household tools to reload your shotgun shells.
Just as there are different kinds of standard presses, there are different kinds of shotgun presses, namely single stage, progressive, and hand reloading presses. Shotgun presses are a lot more limited than standard presses, but they make reloading shotgun shells much easier.
If you are serious about reloading a couple of boxes of .410 shotgun shells in an hour, you should get a single stage shotgun reloading press. To further increase your savings, buy Winchester AA-HS shells. The cases on these shells can be reloaded approximately twice as many times as other shells, and are cheaper than buying just the cases. We recommend the MEC 600 Jr. Mark V shotgun shell reloading press for reloading your shot shells.
Why the MEC 600 Jr. Mark V is the Best .410 Reloading Press
This single stage reloading press is simple to use and easy to learn. Whether you use 2.5-inch shells or 3-inch shells, the press can be adjusted to accommodate either shell size, thereby increasing its versatility. Die sets are available for all the gauges of shotgun shells, including .410 bore.
The unit is generally a little more expensive than standard single stage presses, but is significantly faster than hand loading your shells. Experienced hands can crank out well over 150 shells in an hour. Setup is quick and easy, and the simplicity of the mechanism makes for a low learning curve.
If you’re looking for a reloading press to help you lower the cost of firing .410 shotgun shells, this is the best tool for you. There are other presses out there, but the simplicity and durability of the MEC 600 Jr. make it superior to all others. You can start loading your .410 shells and lowering your ammunition costs today!
So we hope you’ve found what you were looking for regarding the best .410 reloading press. If you have a 12 gauge or 20 gauge shotgun and are looking to reload those loads, please visit our shotshell page to see our recommended presses for those shells. And if you have other non-shotgun firearms, please check out our homepage for information on reloading standard bullets.
Mec 600 Jr 410 Shotgun Loader Setup and Review Part 1
Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him.
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FAQs
Go with size 8 or 8½ for the average shot out in the open. For target shooting, size 9 gives the densest pattern, but you will need to shoot fast as the pellets seem to lose energy in no time. The . 410 shines up close!
What is the most common length of .410 shell? ›
The standard . 410 cartridge is a 2 1/2-inch shell that contains half an ounce of lead shot. The more common length . 410 you'll find today is 3 inches, which can hold 3/8 ounces of small steel shot or 11/16 to 3/4 ounces of lead.
What are the best shotgun shells for reloading? ›
Federal Gold Medal Plastic, Remington STS Premier and Winchester AA HS were usually loaded in ammo marketed as target ammo, and the better hulls account in part for the higher price of that ammo. These hulls are the best choice for reloading, and most of them will last for at least five or six loadings.
What is the muzzle velocity of a 410 shotgun? ›
| Bullet mass/type | Velocity |
|---|
| 109.375 gr (7 g) Winchester 3 in 14 oz. slug | 1,800 ft/s (550 m/s) |
| 350 gr (23 g) 3 in Winchester No. 000 buckshot (5 pellets) | 1300 ft/s (396.24 m/s) |
| 328.125 gr (21 g) Winchester 3 in 34 oz. No. 6 shot | 1100 ft/s (335.28 m/s) |
| 218.75 gr (14 g) Remington 212 in 12 oz. No. 712 shot | 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) |
1 more rowYour maximum effective range will depend on how your gun patterns, but don't expect to hunt beyond 30 yards. For deer-size game and personal defense from 30 to 50 yards, slugs are the best choice.
How far is a 410 accurate? ›
around 35 to 40 yards for birdshot. For most shooters using a . 410, about half of that last figure.
Why is there a shortage of 410 shells? ›
They're lightweight and easy to handle, making them perfect for hunting small game or smashing clays. This rise in popularity has led to a huge demand for . 410 ammo, and supplies just can't keep up. Now, let's not forget the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How many buckshot are in a 410 shell? ›
Going to the lowest extreme of Buckshot loads would be the 410 Shotgun loads. An average 410 000-Buckshot factory load holds a mere 3 pellets while a 410 # 4 Buckshot load may have 9 pellets in each round.
Can you shoot a 2.5 shell in a 3 inch chamber 410? ›
410-gauge shotgun. If the barrel is stamped 3" Can you shoot 2 1/2-inch ammo, or can you only use 3 inch ? The Gun Guy: Yes.
What is the hardest hitting shotgun shell? ›
Slugs. Shotgun slugs are the most precise option for target shooting with a shotgun, and are generally chosen when you need to hit a target that is outside of the reliable range of buckshot or birdshot, or when you need a single hit very close to the bullseye.
Slugs for Reloading. Dangerous Game Slugs are the best performing slug for almost every shotgun and barrel combination. Lethal downrange energy is combined with stunning accuracy - even in smoothbores. Single-unit wad/slug construction for fast, easy loading.
Do you save money reloading shotgun shells? ›
Just remember, no matter how you choose to do this, after you “pay off” the reloading press, any future ammo is all savings. If you shoot a lot, which is the point of our sport, you are saving about half on ammo. That means twice the shooting and twice the fun.
What is a good 410 shotgun? ›
Best . 410 Shotguns: Final Thoughts
- Best for Turkey Hunting: Mossberg 500 Holosun Micro Dot Combo.
- Best Semiauto: Tristar Viper G2.
- Best O/U: Beretta Silver Pigeon I.
- Best .410 Target Gun: Browning Citori 725 Sporter.
- Best Budget: Stevens 301.
- Most Fun: Henry Lever-Action.
You just have to remember that a . 410 is the equivalent of a 67-gauge, so its payload will never be as stout as the more conventional bore diameters, which puts limitations on effective shooting distances. But the idea that a . 410 shotgun can't perform as well as the other gauges at shorter ranges is incorrect.
Will a 410 shotgun stop an intruder? ›
Often dismissed as ineffective for personal protection, . 410 shotguns can get the job done when loaded properly. Discussing the use of . 410-bore shotguns for home defense often ruffles some feathers.
What range is a 410 good for? ›
410 is limited to woodco*ck, rails, decoying doves, and squirrels under ideal conditions all at ranges of about 25 yards. Even then, there's nothing that can be done with a . 410 that can't be done lots better with a 28-gauge. Except for skeet shooting.
What size 410 does the judge shoot? ›
In 2008 Taurus introduced the Judge Magnum which can fire either standard 2 1⁄2" or 3" . 410 shotshells which contain five 000 buckshot and are more effective as personal defense rounds.
What is a 410 4 shot good for? ›
Most folks see the . 410 as a niche shotgun, but it actually can be a multi-purpose firearm if you buy the right model. There are several modern . 410s (Mossberg's 500 and the Remington 870 come to mind) that you could use for clays, a variety of hunting pursuits, plinking, and pest control.
How much shot is in a 3 inch 410 shell? ›
The 3 inch "maximum". 410 load now carries 11/16 ounce of #4, 6, or 7 1/2 shot. With #7 1/2 shot this amounts to about 241 pellets. Buckshot may be 4–5 pellets.
