[Deadeye]

I would like some 12ga. & .410ga. shells loaded with #4buckshot. Can't find any factory short of paying out the Wazooo to ship them. I have some empty highbrass hulls & some Universal Clays. I was just wondering if anybody knew if it would be possible to load these without a shotshell machine. If I can figure out how to reprime them I think I can recrimp them (maybe use a little hot glue?

Any advise from "Yea no problem!" to "What have you been smoke'n?" will be fine!

 

[sheepdog]

I'd be afraid that the .410 would be too light a hit...don't know how to close the plastic by hand....I carried #4 Buck 12 ga. for years....I think it gave me 27 pellets...kinda chews stuff up and spits it out....worth the $ to have some around...best buckshot prices I've found is a Rem 5-pk for 2.72 at Wally World...that's usually 00 9 pellet...

 

[gunman42782]

If my somewhat fragile memory is correct, it seems to me RCBS or someone used to sell dies that went into a standard single stage reloading press that you could reload shotgun shells with.

 

[Johngoboom]

Here's a pretty cheap way to get into shot gun reloading...Only $40.00 for the loader.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=pod&id=0003150

 

[Terry_P]

Deadeye:

Don't try to recrimp using glue!!! That will raise the pressure and could result in a real problem. The pressure will bust the shotshell in the chamber and then who knows what happens.

You can pick up a MEC 600 jr on e-bay for short money. For two different calibers you will need two loaders. I own a MEC Steelmaster 3 1/2" (Handles 3" and 2 3/4" as well) for 12 and I bought a MEC Sizemaster for 12 when I had my e-bay account for travel to TX. I personally prefer the Sizemaster/Steelmaster style as I like the way it resizes the shell head.

I suggest you read up on SS reloading before getting into it as it isn't the same as cartridge. SS is very component specific and mix and match can result in big problems.

 

[deputy125]

A few days ago I was in Academy Sports and they had a good spread of 12 ga defensive rounds including
4 buck
ought
double ought
tripple ought

did not look at the 410 choices

i have used the lee load-all back in the 80's and it is a fine press.
You also might be able to check around and find some old used lee loaders in 410 and 12 ga but they are becoming collectors items in shotgun gauges so they are gettin high dollar.

As for the lee load-all----it is easy to use. I believe the lee load-all press was only offered in 12, 16, and 20 guage-------used lee loaders for shotshells are available on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1960s-LEE-LOADER-Re ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lee-Loader-410-Gaug ... dZViewItem

the 410 is sticker shock as it is "new"-----but used ones show up from time to time.

The MEC is considered top notch---but you have to buy different charge bars for different shot weights and have to buy different bushings for a change in powder charges------the lee includes these items for free.................

You also will have to have two dedicated presses with one for the 12 ga and one for the 410----i believe conversion is not possible on most models and cost prohibitive on others.

The problem with reloadin' shot shells nowadays is also ordering the components as you will pay out the wazuu in shippin' costs..........

If all you are going to do is just load say a couple of boxes a year of 4 buck and not bother to reload for bird hunting or clay bustin'------it might be cheaper to go the lee loader route...............

the lee loader is the only "non-press" way to reload shotshells that i know of.

if you are talking about taking a live round, un-crimpimg, pour out the bird shot, replace with wad and 4 buckshot, and re-crimping--------never tried it, but if i did, i would try candle wax to re-seal the crimp---but i'd study and research the heck out of it first for safety sake..........

rcbs also use to sell shotshell reloading dies for presses but i have not seen them in years.........

EDIT------just did some checking and rcb still builds the shotshell dies----but not in 410 https://www.gunaccessories.com/RCBS/ShotshellDies.asp

 

[Terry_P]

There are two crimp stations on a Shot Shell loader. One starts the crimp by putting the little folds in it and the second folds the crimp down and gives it enough depth to set the folds until you fire the shell. Manually setting them down and sealing them can create a situation whereby the the crimp is stronger than the side of the shell and when the powder ignites the weakest spot will blow out. If you are shooting a pump or semi auto the result could be nasty. Secondly the wad is inserted and the loader has an indicator to measure the wad pressure against the powder. You need to have it seated firmly but not too firmly with 25# minimun to a max of 40 to 50# depending on the load. Getting decent and consistent wad pressure is another consideration.

I am not against Lee or any other loader but to load just buckshot will not require charge bars or bushings as you could weigh the powder charges and then count out the appropriate number of pellets, weigh the counted pellets and then future weigh future pellet loads as well. I'm not sure I would want to try to drop buckshot loads with a charge bar anyway.

 

[Deadeye]

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I'll just keep looking for some factory loads. I don't want to load enough to rationalize buying a whole rig.

 

[Terry_P]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/65082-5.html

or drive up to Cabelas in Buda and get a case.