I've never seen anyone with 3" shells at a registered shoot. You can easily get the 229 grains of lead in a 2 1/2" shell using LilGun powder. I don't know what kind of a wad you would need to load 3" shells at the 229 grain mark. I can not see any benefit of the 3" hull.

 

None of the loads you would likely make with a 3" .410 hull would be legal for a skeet match unless you were perhaps using cheerios or some kind of filler. Just a quick look and I don't think there are wads that would be tall enough to fill the room in a 3" hull to where you would get good crimps with only the 1/2oz shot. Everyone I have ever seen on the skeet field is using 2-1/2" hulls.

 

Rodger that, thanks for the info. Looks like standard .410 reloaders are all 2 1/2" loaders anyway. You could probably get a 3" conversion but, looks like that won't be needed.

 

I am getting ready to start competing in registered skeet competitions this winter. Also entering the world of sub gauge skeet competition.

My question pertains to .410 legal ammo and reloads. From searching the NSSA Rule book and the internet, there appears to be no restrictions on 3" .410 ammo, only restrictions on amount of lead and powder to be used.

I am gettin ready to purchase a .410 reloading machine and want to make sure that 3" is not only legal but, the preferred ammo/reload that is used on the skeet field. Is anyone shooting 2 1/2" .410?

I'm getting into .410 reloading first because it is the most expensive ammo to buy. Also, will most likely practice the most with .410 sub gauge.

From the NSSA Rule Book:
Gauge | Ounces Lead | Grains Standard |Grains Maximum
12 | 1-1/8 | 492.2 | 507
20 | 7/8 | 382.8 | 394
28 | 3/4 | 328.1 | 338
410 | 1/2 | 218.8 | 229

410 is 232 grains if it matters

 

Half an ounce is 219 grains. I load around 214 grains and do just fine.

 

When you do reload, run a stiff wire through the powder and shot drop tubes once in a while to ensure they aren't clogged. They are more difficult to load, but the fun and cost saving are well worth it.

 

If you use ball powder there is no reason the powder drop tube should ever get clogged.

I've loaded over 100,000 410's in my life with H110/296 and 300-MP, and never a clogged drop tube.

If you stay away from Eagle brand shot in the 410 you will eliminate any shot tube bridging. The magnum varieties of West Coast, Lawrence, Spartan, and Heper #9 never bridge.

410's are no more difficult to load than any other gauge.

I've been loading all four gauges for almost 40 years and if you keep a clean, properly adjusted, and lubed loader, the 410 will run as smooth as a 12 gauge.

 

I wish someone would make a .410 wad with a cushion section like all the other gauges. This might require a 2 3/4 or 3 inch hull.

 

For what reason? Less shot deformed? When loading 3" .410 we always wanted the largest volume wad available.

 

A more basic problem with a 3” shell is that everyone will assume you are using more lead and you will have to prove your loads legal more than you want to. So if you do go that route carry a rule book and a scale.

 

In sporting, you’ll get DQef using 3 inch shells

 

I weighed it out, just to see what exactly we are talking about. The difference between 218 gr of #9 shot and 229 gr is 15 #9 shot of Eagle brand shot. A 1/2 oz of #9 shot typically yields a pellet count of about 295. So that's just a 5% increase in pellet # between 218 gr and 229. If you say the legal limit is 232, add two more pellets. I don't see that as significant. I do quite well with my 215 gr drop.

If the OP were to show up at a registered shoot with 3" .410 he should expect lots of raised eyebrows and for his ammo to be challenged. 2.5" is the std .410 skeet load and it will easily hold the legal amount of shot without a problem. Get the 2.5" MEC loader.

 

I am gettin ready to purchase a .410 reloading machine and want to make sure that 3" is not only legal but, the preferred ammo/reload that is used on the skeet field. Is anyone shooting 2 1/2" .410?

From the NSSA Rule Book:
Gauge | Ounces Lead | Grains Standard |Grains Maximum
12 | 1-1/8 | 492.2 | 507
20 | 7/8 | 382.8 | 394
28 | 3/4 | 328.1 | 338
410 | 1/2 | 218.8 | 229

As you've learned above, 2 1/2 inch is standard. Try to find some AA or STS hulls to load, although I have had good luck with Federal Gold Medals, when using 300 MP powder. Other powders are too hot for the FED GM and will cause Zingers, when the entire plastic hull goes through the barrel.

While AA hulls will last longer, the STS is a tad taller, and has more case volume. Thus , you can load NSSA Max shot, and enough powder to push it 1250-1300 fps, which a lot of guys like to do with 410..

 

I have good luck with federal hulls, I like above 1300. I can get 3-4 reloads out of them. I've never had a zinger, guess I've been lucky.

 

My MEC stock 1/2 oz bar was dropping 211-213 gr of shot until I opened it up. Weighing the shot drop was not too arduous.

 

I think the only problem with people pushing the limit on weights like trying to get 232gn is that there is variables that will effect your accuracy of those drops... Such as changing brands of shot.

Even though ammo challenges may not be common, I think it would be safer to load at 229gn... And if you happen to have a heavy drop of shot then you're safe in the event someone challenges your reloads. Would suck to have a challenged ammo come out at 233.

 

I think the only problem with people pushing the limit on weights like trying to get 232gn is that there is variables that will effect your accuracy of those drops... Such as changing brands of shot.

Even though ammo challenges may not be common, I think it would be safer to load at 229gn... And if you happen to have a heavy drop of shot then you're safe in the event someone challenges your reloads. Would suck to have a challenged ammo come out at 233.

I aim at 230gr for that reason. It'll vary 2gr either way. Frankly I've scaled back to 225gr. That's what a factory AA weighs out to and it breaks targets just fine.

 

3” is overkill and unnecessary.

 

1/2 ounce (232 grains) is max for NSSA 410 events. I know of no 3" 410s loaded with 1/2 ounce. Why would one attempt to reload such?

 

Im a big Skeet 410 fan and reload all my rounds. Use HS hulls, CB5050-410HS wads, Win 296 powder and HeperMetal #9 shot with 6% Antimony.

MEC 600 Jr Mark V
MEC 30212 1/2oz Bar
MEC 12A bushing

Powder drops 16.5 grains on average
Shot drops 225 grains on average
Velocity 1300

Perfect Crimps and crushes targets.

 

Im a big Skeet 410 fan and reload all my rounds. Use HS hulls, CB5050-410HS wads, Win 296 powder and HeperMetal #9 shot with 6% Antimony.

MEC 600 Jr Mark V
MEC 30212 1/2oz Bar
MEC 12A bushing

Powder drops 16.5 grains on average
Shot drops 225 grains on average
Velocity 1300

Perfect Crimps and crushes targets.

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Nice! That is what I am looking for.

I am headed over to Trainer Hale next week to pick up some shot. I am completely out and hulls are piling up.

Looks like I may have to buy a couple of flats of loaded ammo to get 410 hulls. Can't find any once fired anywhere.

Looks like most 410 reloaders prefer AA hulls. I am down to my last 6000 primers (WIN & REM). That makes me nervous. I have 8 lbs H110 and 8 of 296 also. May pick up a keg of Lll Gun if they have it.

I think I am going to get a MEC Grabber for my 410 loads. The single stages work very well but man they are slow.

Good post.

 

I used to shoot registered skeet. Now I just shoot for fun, but I use .410 almost exclusively. I always had the best results with Remington hulls and 8-1/2 Remington STS shot. I once heard Todd Bender say that the best kept secret in skeet (for the .410) was Remington STSs with 8-1/2 shot. Anyway, I use Winchester primers, Lil Gun powder, Claybuster wads, but I think the shot size and brand were/are most important. My 2 cents.

 

Fiocchi were a busy for me. AA are. My choice and get over a dozen reloads each. Of course, careful inspection after each load. Clay buster wads. Cheddite primers as WW not available. 296 and H110 powder. MEC 600 jr Loader.
That’s my go to load. Been shooting 410 for 60 years now. Last 40 at Skeet and wild birds.
Motto: if you’re good enough, it doesn’t matter.

 

Fiocchi were a busy for me. AA are. My choice and get over a dozen reloads each

Not sure what you are saying about the Fiocchi hulls. Is that a typo?

 

What's wrong with this picture?

How about 335 pellets?

 

Yeah, that's 40 pellets over what is typically in a 1/2 oz (218 grains) load. @ approx .74 grains per pellet of #9s, his shot load should weigh 247 grains. Rejected from competition.

 

Your outta here. Illegal load

 

Percentage of antimony in a given volume of shot dictates weight. You cant go by .74 grains as a given to all manufactures of shot. As a matter of fact, this brand of shot weighs .72 per pellet on average and charge bars do in fact drop different volumes.

The photo of the shot pattern wasn't for shot count purposes and the number count could be off. It was to show how the load patterns in my particular gun/choke combination given the components listed.

Below is a picture of a dropped charge 5 min ago of the same shot/weight and 1/2oz bar. I counted the pellets and there are 315 in this drop. Eagle or Lawrence shot may in-fact produce less pellets based on its antimony make up.

Lastly, the regulations allow up to 232grains of payload, not number of pellets.

 

There is no restriction on shell length, only shot weight. But don't be surprised if someone challenges you to prove your 3 inch shells are only holding 1/2 ounce of shot.

 

Yes, I agree. I won't be buying or loading 3" 410 shells. No reason to of you can get the desired amount of shot into a 2 1/2" shell.