An interesting observation with regards to .410

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Well, I was able to do something today.   I obtained a .410 shotgun.   A Stevens single shot made before 1968.  (It has no serial number.)  Seems to be a very well made gun.  Mechanics and bore are excellent.  Has a lot of surface rust, but it does work, and for a hundred bucks, why not?

Anyway...   I don't yet have any .410 shotshells, so I decided to check some things.   A .444 Marlin round dropped right into the chamber, but I could tell that it was a little "loose" in there.

On the other hand, a .45 Colt also chambered, and it seemed to be a good fit.   The cartridge seemed to fit pretty exactly.  But, it was a little harder to close the gun.  Nothing was binding or in the way, it was just tighter somehow.   The lifter did lift the cartridge out with no problems.

 

I also had some .454 Casull snap caps, and they fit the same way the .45 Colt did.  They went it, did not have to be forced, but just seemed to be too tight somehow.

So, here are my thoughts.   In spite of everything I have read, I don't think using .444 Marlin brass to make all brass .410 shotshells is not a real idea.  They are just too loose in the chamber.  The only thing I can compare it too is putting a .38 Short Colt into a .38 S&W chamber.  If "fits" but it is obviously not as big is it should be.

Also, I don't think using .45 Colt, or by extension another case that is just a longer version of it, is a viable option either.  Again, it fits, but my gut tells me it's not a 
"proper" fit.

Well, I guess getting some Magtech brass and some proper dies in the near future.

Now...  All of that being said, I am wondering if anyone IS using any of this brass to reload .410 and if so, what has your experience been?   Maybe I am overthinking it, and there are alternatives.  

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Addendum:   The .45 that fit was one of my reloads.  A factory .45 would not fit.  I feel this confirms my feeling that .45 brass can not be used.   I guess those 45/410 hybrid things are not something to go by.   But after rereading the case dimensions of .444 and .410 I am still wondering if it’s possible.   Ah, the joy of confusion!   This is why you ask those more experienced than yourself before you try anything for real.

 

Edited December 14, 2025 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

From what I have read in the past is Yes.

You can use 444 brass to make 410 .

I load my own 410 brass and plastic hulls .

You can buy used hulls online at Ebay or GB  you can buy brass hulls too .

I also buy 410 when ever I find them new and reasonable price. 

When Meijer store was stopping selling shells and gun stuff .

And they was closing out 2.3/4  Slugs for 2.00 a box and they had a lot of boxes. 

I asked the manager if I give you 1.00 a box and buy everyone you got will you do that ?

He said yes.

Went in the back room and come out with a box of 80 or so 5 round box of slugs and them maybe 20 or so on the shelf.

And I got them all for around 100.00 

This was about 20 years ago now.

And I still have some left lol 

I have three or four single shot 410's .

One Henry brass lever action 410.

And I had two Winchester 9410's 

That I bought around 2006 .

But once Winchester went under they claimed in price a lot .

I finly sold the Winchester's once they started selling for 1k .

I could no long justifying keeping them anymore. 

When I bought them new around 300.00 each .

Rooster 

 

[Chief Rick]

Ballistic Products sells primed Chedite 410 hulls by the 100 count. No hazmat. 

[Chief Rick]

To ad...

 

I was going to try the 444 brass, but found some Magtech brass 410 shells so bought them instead. Those, along with a couple hundred of the primed Chedite hulls, will keep me content for awhile.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

If using the 444 brass; even if it started "loose" - wouldn't it fireform to the chamber after the first time it was used as a shotshell in the shotgun?

 

Or is the brass too stiff and the 410 pressures too low?

 

 

[Sheriff Dill]

Not sure how far from Rochester NY you are but on Craigslist there is a complete set up for reloading .410. @H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Grizz Henry]

H K,

I shoot skeet with a 410 and reload all types of 410 hulls. I did not get many reloadings out of plastic hulls.  The crimp area deteriorated quickly.  I Reload on a Ponsness Warren press which keeps the hull in a cylinder thru out the various loading stages so you get no bulged hulls with plastic that has been reloaded many times as many reloads I found thin down the plastic hull..  Tried to salvage some of the crimp deteriorated plastic hulls by cutting the crimp end off the hull on the bandsaw , then using an overshot wad glued in with Titebond II.

 

  Got the hankering to  go to all brass hulls.  I fire formed 303 British brass and they worked excellent.  Then I read 444 Marlin also worked so I got a batch from Starline.  I found a lot of irregularity in the thickness of the 444 case rim and had to file many down so that the action would close & lock up. I did not find the 444 to be very loose in the chamber.  The next acquisition was Magtech brass.  So my stable of 410 brass now consists of 303 British, 444 Marlin and the Magtechs.  All work fine and have had many, many reloadings in each hull.

Edited December 14, 2025 by Grizz Henry

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

13 hours ago, Chief Rick said:

Ballistic Products sells primed Chedite 410 hulls by the 100 count. No hazmat. 

Great place to get all kinds of 410 reloading items. 

Good point out Chief Rick 

[watab kid]

you can fire form 303 brit cases to the task , 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Check out this 3D printed conversation kit for a 12g Lee Loadall too a 410 Lee Loadall.

 

PS. NO Dog in the fight just passing on a great buy for a 410 loader .

 

https://3dreloadingandmore.shop/products/410-loading-tools-for-the-lee-loadall-with-optional-shot-and-powder-bushes

 

https://youtu.be/Tt5Zp83PqWw?si=uUjnaxsr83qYf0DJ

Edited December 15, 2025 by Rooster Ron Wayne
Video on loader in use

[Bullett Sass 19707]

I have loaded 444 brass for the 410 using black powder.  I would have to check but I think I loaded about half way full with 3f or 4f and cardboard wad and the rest with #9 shot and glued a cardboard wad over the load.  My daughters had a great time with them and very little recoil.   Made about 8 to 10 inches of flame on a cloudy day.  Bullett