I got hold of a MEC load kit the simple as, manual no press type.
having a ball tootoing around with loads
tonight after getting some #0 buckshot .30 calibre I loaded some up 14grns win 296
win 209 primer
reo case
winchester wad
6x #0 buck pellets
I will pattern it sooner or later and let you know what its like. the lyman#5 manual puts this as a 3/4oz load so it should be good. the book only had #00 data of 5 balls in 3" case or 4 balls in 2 3/4" case but #0 being smaller I get more in.
this is the load I use for birdshot as well.
the birdshot loads are working great for my son and it sure is cheaper than buying factory loads.

Elvis, I should.
But since we are no longer allowed to use cal 36 for hunting and I still have a decent stock...
but I'm sure one day I will reload them, probably with blackpowder and slugs. Blackpowder usually performs rather well in shotguns + is much saver in my opinion (and I like the smell )

Wish I still kept my mec 600jr 410 press, with prices around here at $18.00 a box of 25 3". I never knew mec made a manual loader for 410, I've seen the old vintage lee manual loaders for 410 at shows.

if i still had one i load for it. 410 aint that easy to find here and its kinda pricey when ya do. thats a neat caliber and a challenge to hunt with. wish i still had one. its on my short list.

After digging around the basement I stumbled across 100 fired once 444 marlin cartridges. I have read in the past about using these instead of the .410 plastic shot shells, has anyone tried this method?

Aloysius wrote:

Elvis, I should. But since we are no longer allowed to use cal 36 for hunting and I still have a decent stock... but I'm sure one day I will reload them, probably with blackpowder and slugs. Blackpowder usually performs rather well in shotguns + is much saver in my opinion (and I like the smell )

The .410 uses a nominal dia of .410, so in gauge size that would be around 67 or 68 gauge. You guys across the pond must use different ways to measure gauge.

I think you make some mistake somewhere because I've seen in Lyman's Shotshellbook also mentioned from cal 20 on and going smaller:
cal 24
cal 28
cal 32 (14 mm)
cal 36 (12 mm or .410)

and then we also have a 9 mm Flobert (ball and shot) and the 6 mm Flobert (ball and shot), but both of them are rimfire.

But don't point at me, I didn't name these calibers
(but I do have a 'full street' from cal 12 till cal 36 and some of them single shot only, other single, double (side-by-side + over/under) and those .410's are also my favourits)

And be carefull with the word 'caliber'. You mention .410 but please compare that cartridge with a .45 LC. Or a cal 24 cartridge with the old .577 Snider...

I read from Chuck Hawks website about the mis-confusion with the .410 bore shotgun.

it is close to 10.4mm . 12ga is 12x bore dia balls pure lead to the pound
so 36 should be a third of this dia
sorry guys its a MRC set
yes I have seen it refered to as a 36 or 68 guage but .410 it is and always will be.
omni thats a good article and typical of whats written about this guage what these fellas ALL dont take into account is the effectivness of 11/16-3/4 oz of #4s on small game. bunnies and possoms are dead meat right quick. in fact its a lot more fun than the 12ga on possoms as its lighter to lug around and doesnt boot on those nearly above your head shots you often get that tend to hurt a little with the 12ga.
I have shot wallabies in the spotlight but they were close (under 20yrds) I will be doing so again now we have some buckshot which should have alot more wallop. as for the slug load being under powered. a 87 grain slug at 1600-1800fps not good enough? all you .243 guys should take offence at this statement. they are great for bailed pigs as many Kiwi hunters will know.

Please note, the box says 36 GAUGE, not 36 caliber.

correct Pumpkin but its not a 36ga either thus the confusion.
.30 caliber balls #0 buck is real loose in the bore
.32 caliber balls #00 buck fills it a little more
.45 long colt may be fired through cylinder bore
gee wizz there is some funny things re this neat wee round.

Omini, your Chuck Hawks talks about 2 sizes, the 2 1/2" and the 3", I think I've a third one, I should measure it but it will be close to 2". I even have such a french boltrifle with a magazin that will only take these 2" shells. I'll try to make some pictures one of these days (and then I have to shout for help to get them placed here, but I think you will love some of these little shotguns)


and don't you call a caliber 12 also a 12 gauge?

Aloysius a 12 guage is a measure of bore old old old way of doing things only used in shotguns now the origins are waaaaay back in the black powder days a 2 guage threw a 1/2 lb ball of lead
4 guage a 1/4 ib ball etc etc
a 12 guage ball was a 12th of a pound
a 20 guage ball was a 20th of a pound
so a guage was "How many pure lead balls of bore size made up a pound"
yes .410 does come in three sizes the 2" are very rare now days and I would not think any store bought ammo could be found. I could load it piece of cake just cut a case down to size and Bobs your uncle.
Omni I have heard of brass cases and think .444 would be right you can buy metal cased rounds recently manufactured I havent had a look at any though.

Just to further confuse the discussion a bit a 2 1/2" 410 shotshell when loaded and crimped is only 2" long. The rest of the length is folded over in the crimp. Once fired they are 2 1/2".