Reloading .410 Shotgun Shells With The Lee Loader

A step by step demonstration of the Lee Loader tool set for reloading the 3" .410 shotgun shell. The steps in reloading a shell are: de-priming; priming; charging with powder, seating a wad, filling with shot, and finally crimping. The tool may be used to form either a roll crimp or fold crimp.

[@curtismaloney5709]

I must say wow. That is the true definition of hand loading shells. Very informative. Much better than any other videos have seen. You explain every little detail about what you are doing. Very cool thank you for sharing.

[@314299]

Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

​@@314299 does LEE make that portable handheld .410 shotgun shell loaders today ?

[@miketreen7403]

I have one of the loaders for 20g and no instruction pamphlet with it. Now I know what I was doing wrong. Thanks for doing this video! 👍🏻

[@314299]

You are welcome.

[@24revealer]

support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/lee-loader-for-shotguns/attachment/a361120309c0fc371abc7c7eedce382357a264b2e90dc41c88af98b4f56eda3ac911d28a0c458a4e

[@jesseflores7790]

Very informative video! Thank you for taking the time to educate and instruct how to use the tool set. Really appreciate your time.

[@314299]

Thanks, it's nice to hear that the video is appreciated. Best of luck with your reloading efforts.

[@davidcruger2237]

Wow I will never again complain about speed on my .410g single stage press. Very interesting video. Thanks

[@314299]

Yes, even a single stage press is pretty speedy compared to a hand tool set like the Lee Loader.

[@mtslyh]

So simple and yet so useful. Thanks for sharing.

[@314299]

You are welcome.

[@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069]

Just discovered this channel . Excellent. I love dabbling with .410 myself. Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 By the way subscribed

[@314299]

Welcome aboard.

[@mikemehaffey9693]

Good clip. Brought back good memories. I bought mine form Dixie Gun works back in the late 1970s & used them for years, before I finely got a Mec reloaders. I have one in .410, 28, & 10 ga. Picked up the 10ga one @ a gun show back in the 80s sometime. I have not used them for years now, but they would still work just as intended today, as they did years ago.

[@314299]

One plus to these is that even if they are not being currently used they do not occupy much space when in storage.

[@DeanMk1]

Thank you! I always wondered how one of those Lee loaders worked.

[@314299]

You are welcome.

[@xTheSweetyMan]

educational and informative! can't wait to start loading my own shells!

[@314299]

Thanks, best of success when you get to loading your own.

[@zachary5250]

Very helpful, and an awesome video!

[@314299]

Glad you found it helpful, thanks for the comment.

[@kencurtis508]

Very well done. Thank you.

[@314299]

Glad you liked it, thanks for the comment.

[@johnblood3731]

Great video was usual.

[@314299]

Thanks.

[@davidwagner6055]

Good video as always

[@314299]

Thanks David.

[@tonyzila5071]

Very good instructions lots of work but worth it have fun saving money

[@314299]

Yes it's worth it more than ever to reload .410 shells with the current lack of factory ones and their high prices when they do turn up.

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Great information thank you!👍🏾😀❤️🇺🇸

[@314299]

Thanks, you are welcome.

[@robertpitchford7288]

thanks for the video

[@314299]

You're welcome.

[@MilsurpGarage]

Very nice!

[@314299]

Thanks. I'm still surprised when I get comments on these old videos!

[@daleparker4207]

Thank you

[@314299]

You're welcome.

[@jimfriedman8140]

Makes me appreciate my Hornady 366

[@314299]

That's a little like comparing a shovel and a large excavator.

[@nedroberts5600]

I wish Lee would make these again!

[@314299]

I think there is a market, especially for the .410 version.

[@nedroberts5600]

If anyone wants a kit, I'd say send them plenty of emails to know there is interest in them.

[@314299]

@@nedroberts5600 Certainly would not hurt to try.

[@nedroberts5600]

I sent mine yesterday.

[@allanstevens2092]

Thank you.

[@314299]

You are welcome, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dhhzdhhz539]

Good job thanks

[@314299]

I'm glad you liked it, thanks for the comment.

[@subdawg1331]

well done thank you

[@314299]

You are welcome, thanks for the feedback.

[@toml802]

My oldTexan loader has a wad guide. Super easy to stuff plastic wads.

[@314299]

Later versions of these included a wad guide that sits on top of the shell. Wad guides are really useful for reloading plastic hulls.

[@toml802]

I'm trying to remember if I still have any of my old 12 ga. fiber wads. Switched to power pistons in the late 70's.

[@314299]

Today fiber wads are of interest mostly to those loading and shooting black powder shells.

[@trooper589]

Thanks

[@314299]

You are welcome.

[@johnpalmer7272]

I Bought my Lee loader for 45 colt in about 1957. Still have it but use RCBS now

[@314299]

Most folks who get a press and dies don't use their Lee Loader sets much after.

[@jakeoutdoors9600]

Man thats cool. If I find an affordable vintage one for 3 1/2" 10 gauge I'm getting it.

[@314299]

They are out there to be found if you are patient.

[@pokiebaron1]

@@314299 Wish they made a new one, for the little shorty 12ga shells. They seem a bit pricey to buy new at the moment.

[@curtiseggemeyer5681]

With the cost of 410 shells and in areas that are very remote this would be a life saver. I have the 410 Survival Reloader by the X Ring and it is about 88.00 and works well. I also have Mec 600 but had to start somewhere . Will always keep the hand tool. Not much in the way of components to loading a 410 when they cost around a buck each for factory.

[@314299]

In my part of the world 410 shells are very hard to come by and have been for the last couple of years. A box of 2-1/2 shells costs $35 or more and 3" shells are pushing $50 a box. I'm glad I have reloading gear and supplies on hand, otherwise my 410's would get no use.

[@toml802]

I can see an arbor press coming in handy for most of this.

[@314299]

I suppose you could use one with one of these sets, would eliminate the hammering.

[@aarondavenport3143]

It might be easier to crimp by using the other side of the dye body (i.e. side used to remove primer) and then using the handle end to push in the crimp.

[@314299]

That would not work as it's the geometry of the inside of the die that curls the crimp in, with the die backwards it would not work.

[@davidhenry5112]

And now to find a Lee loading kit for the grandsons 410, I wish they still made them.

[@314299]

Good luck finding one, they are hard to get and often stupid expensive now. You might want to look at getting one of these instead: www.thexringusa.com/product-page/survival-loader-for-410-ga

[@davidhenry5112]

@@314299 Thanks, I will delve deeper.

[@sweden45calibre]

Hello Thanks for another great video. Question: Did you ever get around to load those buckshot you cast in the Lee mold, a couple of years ago? Best regards From a long time subscriber

[@314299]

Yes, I did load some 12 gauge shells with the "000" buckshot that I cast in the Lee mold. I did not have much success finding a load that functioned well, the issue was that the loaded shells were "lumpy" and were hard to chamber. The "000" pellets are just so large that they dont stack well, at least not in any combo that I tried.

[@sweden45calibre]

314299 Shooting Channel Interesting, it’s the same result that I got. I have loaded some with fiberwad, but haven’t got around to test them.. Best regards

[@donmurrin5269]

Had you tried loading only 1 or 2 "000" buckshot and see the result ?

[@Joelwilly57]

Is their a part number on the spacer ( Remington shells ) spacer ? I bout a lee loader in a estate sale and it didn’t come with one. Or is their a way you can measure it with calipers and share the info ? Thanks

[@314299]

I don't see any part number, however the dimensions are: 0.50" diameter, 0.20" thick with a 0.25" hole in the center. Hopefully that helps.

[@Ensign_Cthulhu]

I'm getting a strong feeling of deja vu here. I remember seeing this a while back and wanting to try roll crimps, but I could never easily source a punch of the appropriate dimensions to make the overshot cards. Or am I thinking of a 12 gauge version?

[@314299]

I make the overshot wads with a wad punch that came in a set like this: www.princessauto.com/en/detail/12-pc-hollow-punch-set/A-p8548059e

[@aarondavenport3143]

Might the spacer also allow for more force to be used in crimping without worrying about setting the round off (perhaps using a few gentle taps with the mallet etc...) in that it reduces any concentration of pressure directly onto the primer?

[@314299]

As long as you are applying crimping force by pushing and the shell is on a smooth surface there is almost zero possibility of the primer going off. Primers are set off by percussion, so I can not recommend any crimping that involves hitting the loaded shell with a hammer or mallet.

[@Gungeek]

i should do up some 2 1/2" 410's on mine :)

[@314299]

Don't go busting your shoulder up firing those monsters.

[@jacklowe3788]

@@314299 can you load 2 1/2" shell w/ this loader?

[@314299]

@@jacklowe3788 No, the 3" version will not crimp the short 2-1/2" shells.

[@kencarol6763]

Can you tell on the 410 Lee Loader, is the body/die stamped with that information; or what does it say? I have the kit, I want to confirm that I have the original components. Someone thinks the die might be a 28 gauge....Is that possible?

[@314299]

There are no gauge markings on the loaders I examined, all the gauge info is on the load data/instruction sheet. It should be pretty easy to see if what is present in the kit is correct for the gauge marked. If you have a fired shell and a wad you can compare those to the tools present to see if they appear correct.

[@firasballouz5212]

Isn't this a previously uploaded video? I remember watching it eagerly when I first got into hunting and guns

[@314299]

It's an edited version of content previously demonetized by YT.

[@ohiorusty4982]

I just bought one of those .410 lee loaders for 3 inch shells. That kit is missing the spacer with the hole in the middle you are using to force the shell body higher in the tool. Can you give some dimensions of the spader so i can make one ?? Width across and thickness ?? I can drill the hole after the spacer is made. Thanks ... Rusty in Ohio

[@314299]

The dimensions of the spacer are: 0.50" diameter, 0.20" thick with a 0.25" hole in the center. Hopefully that helps.

[@tripplebeards3427]

That roll crimp is impressive! Can I do that with the 10 gauge lee loader?

[@314299]

Yes, you should be able to do a roll crimp with a 10 gauge Lee Loader.

[@samwilliams5283]

Some drink boxes have plastic bonded cardboard. It is tougher than cereal boxes.

[@314299]

Yeah, those no doubt would make a better material for over shot wads than cereal box cardboard.

[@atubeviewer4942]

Cool, but what do I do with reloading my 2 1/2" shells?

[@314299]

You need a 2-1/2 loader, lee made them as well as the 3" shown in the video.

[@GunFunZS]

I have one, but haven't used it yet.

[@314299]

In .410?

[@GunFunZS]

@@314299 yes. Mine is the newer style with a wad guide and plastic scoops, etc.

[@jjh9355]

Is there a reason why you used hand pressure to make the roll crimp and not the mallet? I assume you want a good starting crimp, but once it is well started, why not use the mallet?

[@314299]

Pounding on a fully loaded shell is a bad idea as primers are set off by impact/shock, so there is the possibility of it going off. Pushing on the shell does not involve the same risk of a primer and therefor the shell going off.

[@roytaylor2627]

Do they make them for 12 gauge and how do you get them

[@314299]

They did make them for 12 gauge, as well as 10, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410. Lee no longer makes any shotgun Lee Loader sets, however used ones can be found on the auction sites as well as at gun shows.

[@timothytietz9194]

Just a heads up. My lee 3inch loaders wont load 2.5 inch. Rim for 2.5 wont fit in 3inch chamber. My herters similar loader will accept 2.5 and 3 inch as body internal is wider in diameter. Rem hulls are shorter, that's why the washer in sand colored envelope. These look like federal hulls. Old federal had different primer pocket shape than newer 209a type. Older more win rem cci shape, newer more bell shape at rim. Mec starter crimp may help a bit for fold. Crimps nice enough. Lee of this type waaay overpriced on fleabay. Other alternatives available, check on KZbin. Used mec 600 jr is super, as is pacific 155. As you can see it's slow but they do have their purpose. Thanks 4 all the videos.

[@314299]

The 3" .410 loader will not crimp a 2-1/2" shell so there is not much point in even trying them. As for 209 primers differing, they do differ slightly from make to make but do fit well enough to be usable.

[@larrytischler570]

@Travis Thacker they are expensive bc they are useful for special projects in reloading and very few were made.

[@ClarkesonTheMarksman]

Did you resize the hull?

[@314299]

No, the hulls cannot be resized with these tool sets. Ideally you need to use hulls that were fired in the same gun that you want to use the reloaded shells in. Hulls that were fired in different gun might not fit.

[@criticalcan]

Could I get a link to buy this specific model?

[@314299]

Regrettably these sets have been discontinued for many years. If you want one you will have to search auctions such as eBay or check the tables at gun shows. Be prepared for "sticker shock", these have gotten quite expensive. Another option would be one of the other sets such as the one by "The X Ring USA" www.thexringusa.com/product-page/survival-loader-for-410-ga

[@thesheepman220]

If I not mistaken didn’t Winchester used to make a 3/4 oz factory load

[@DeanMk1]

Wasn't that the old 3" magnum shot charge?

[@314299]

I think they did offer such a shell. 3" .410 shells loaded before the use of plastic shot cup wads had more capacity.

[@tannersires9734]

I wish I could find the .410 lee loader but I looked on eBay and they are $200+

[@314299]

Yeah that is a crazy amount. Personally I dont think they are worth any more than $50.

[@jaimeramoncampillo2748]

Dónde podría conseguir uno ?

[@314299]

Unfortunately these have not been produced for a long time so the only sources are used, I suggest trying online (ebay, auction arms), gun shows, yard sales or flea markets.

[@hectorgonzalez7416]

What size of lead shot should I get

[@314299]

For the 410 small shot is best. I would say that sizes 6 and 7-12 are probably the most useful.

[@marcryptic]

I'm new to 410 reloading. So you don't need an overshot card if you do a star crimp?

[@314299]

That's right, star/pie crimps dont require an overshot card.

[@mikec4114]

I think he may have got the 296 powder in the 1990's?

[@314299]

The metal can is indeed older but the contents are not, I get bulk packaged 296 powder and put it into the metal cans for storage, so the powder is only a couple years old.

[@williamcrawford7982]

Hours of fun ?, ha.

[@314299]

Guess that depends on how many shells you reload.

[@theThinkerator]

my previous comment was made in error... I thought I was replying to a different video I have a few LeeLoaders for shotshells. I wish I could find one in .410

[@314299]

410 Lee Loaders do pop up for sale on eBay occasionally but they do generally command high prices. Occasionally one will show up at a gun show or flea market for a decent price.

[@pokiebaron1]

What does "wad pressure" mean? Thanks.

[@ashleypalmer7983]

Wad pressure is used to compress the wadding slightly to get the total package of powder, wad and shot in the shell without air. A shotgun shell has to be loaded to fill the entire shell without void or space between the powder, wad and shot. Otherwise poor ignition and strange ballistics can result,

[@pokiebaron1]

@@ashleypalmer7983 Thanks Ashley. At 3:00, what does the number 35 demote? Does that mean compress all the components to 35 lbs/f ? Thanks again.

[@GunFunZS]

@@pokiebaron1 exactly. But do the compression before you add the shot.

[@pokiebaron1]

@@GunFunZS Thanks GunFun!

[@GunFunZS]

@@pokiebaron1 welcome. Wad seating pressure is mostly a throwback to fiber wad and black powder. Modern components care about depth and lack of gaps.

[@auggiedoggie996]

How to prep 101 410 is a universal round

[@314299]

By "universal" do you mean common?

[@richardperry4115]

Are they still available ???

[@314299]

Lee has not made these in a long time. Used sets do come up for sale occasionally.

[@richardperry4115]

Have tried many places in England. Many gun shop's have never even see or heard of them . I think it's a case of being in the right place at the right time. Many thanks for the video .

[@papamorosis1570]

How do I do a slug

[@314299]

The process is essentially the same except you insert a slug instead of pouring in the shot. As for .410 slugs where are you going to get those for reloading? I've not seen any for sale.

[@wayman1776]

@@314299 I have about ten boxes of 410 slugs from Winchester but that was about 3-4 years ago.

[@user-uj2kp8xk6x]

Неповерю,чтобы у американцев небыло закрутки. (завальцовка),настольной или ручной . У нас,отродясь небыло .410-го калибра и вскоре появились приборы для снаряжения патронов... выбирай и бери,на своё усмотрение. Нафиг надо мучился с этим молотковым набором 😱

[@314299]

I tried a couple of on-line translation tools on your comment but the results they gave me were odd, here's the result one gave: "I can't believe Americans don't have a twist. (I don't believe they didn't have a twist, table or handheld. We never had a .410 before, and soon there was a cartridge-firing device... Pick one and take it at your own discretion. I don't need to bother with that hammer set." I'm going to assume your comment was something like "I cant believe you dont have a reloading press, there are many available, pick one and no need to bother with the hammer set." If that was close to the intended comment, here is my answer. .410 reloading presses are indeed available, in fact I have two, both are MEC single stage units, one set to load 2-1/2 and one for 3" shells. However the video is not about those, it about using the now discontinued Lee hand tool set. Apparently it is topic of interest to some people as over sixty-six thousand folks have watched the video at this point. Have a nice day.

[@carllove3705]

That was very cool, but way too much work.

[@314299]

In practice it goes much faster when just doing it as opposed to demonstrating and describing the process.

[@johnbailey9682]

That looks like a old used fired hull ? Try using that tool on a new hull good luck it just does not work at all !

[@314299]

Are you trying to do a roll crimp or a fold crimp on the new hulls? Roll crimping should go well on new hulls, however if you are trying to fold new crimps you will need to add a six point crimp starter. A crimp starter was not included with the set used in the video but may have been included with later production "deluxe" sets. If you cannot locate and original Lee six point .410 crimp starter you should be able to find a crimp starter for a MEC machine, they are cheap and work the same. What brand of hull are you trying to reload?

[@johnbailey9682]

@@314299 I’m just going to roll crip them it’s a lot easier

[@jerrymiller8984]

Search for Barry Declined. He has made reloader kits like 17:45 the Lee for .410 and 12ga.

[@johnbailey9682]

@@jerrymiller8984 it’s not so much as a reloaded it only works with fired shells but does not work with new hulls it just destroys the new hull .

[@TriebsOutdoors]

Dont crush your wad down so forcefully, thats not necessary. You will end up not need so much of a roll crimp.

[@314299]

Most lead shot wads for 10/12/16/20/28 gauge have a cushion section but standard 410 wads do not, therefore you can not "crush" these 410 wads as they don't have a cushion section to crush. Pushing the wad down forcefully is done so as to compact the powder for better ignition. The powders used in 410 shell are very slow burning compared to other shotgun powders and work best if firmly confined by a solid crimp, and a deep roll crimp also insures better ignition of these slow burning powders.