Author Topic: 14" 410 contender reload pattern (Read 2240 times)

Beagler410 · « **on:** March 11, 2012, 02:46:03 PM »

I finally got some shot yesteday and I started to mess around with my loads for the first time today. This is the factory federal 3" 6 shot 11/16 ounce load vs my load with hogdon lil gun a clay buster wad federal primer and federal hull. My load had 11/16 ounce of nickle platted #6s. This was out of a 1/2 ounce wad I have 4 different kinds of 1/2 ounce wads but my 11/16 stretch was hasn't come in yet. Still lots of tweaking to do in the future but here are the day one results. This is from 15 yards with a range finds. Regular comptuer paper size target. I only tried the one load today but still have 4 dif wads to try two different hulls and two different powders maybe I will find something better with the 11-16 ounce stretch was but I am already super happy on the difference.

spinafish · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2012, 04:21:46 PM »

that ought to roll them!

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2012, 06:44:13 PM »

Thats a nice pattern you got. Keep us posted on your progress of the 410 reloads. I like playing with them myself.

Beagler410 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2012, 03:23:44 AM »

Iowa do you mess with them out of the contender or mostly long guns. I would love to see this load out of a full choked 870 or 1187 it would blow a hole through the target lol. Then again it may work good in the .45 contender barrel but be garbage load in a true .410 barrel.

HHI-7420 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:31:31 AM »

beagle410, move out to 20 & 25 yards and check your loads. I hunt tree rats at those distances with my contender(14" and factory loads of 7-1/2). Pat

Couger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2012, 05:36:36 AM »

Quote from: HHI-7420 on March 12, 2012, 05:31:31 AM

beagle410, move out to 20 & 25 yards and check your loads. I hunt tree rats at those distances with my contender(14" and factory loads of 7-1/2). Pat

I was also going to recommend 7 1/2's, or a combo of 7 1/2's and some 6's. Twas me I'd not go any bigger nor smaller, unless you have a specific application, then load for that specifically!

Generally with a Contender I'd carry ammo for all contingencies, in my quest for an all-around load. I'f I could head-shot grouse, 2 1/2" #8's might be the ticket!

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2012, 10:00:47 AM »

Beagler,

I fire my reloads in 10" 14" 16" 21" and 24" contender barrels and a old Iver Johnson single barrel. It has probably been 20 years since I had the Model 42 Win out. The 16" Contender barrel sees the most use and I have pretty much retired the 14" and the 10" is retired for sure.

I use mostly the old Remington 3/4 oz plastic wads, Green Remington 3" hulls, and H110 powder. I do have and use some of the 1/2 oz wads in the newer compression formed Winchester cases. I also use the Rem wads in the Federal plastic hulls. I should try some Lil Gun as I have plenty of it but was using H110 long before Lil Gun came to the market. The market currently needs a better wad for the 3" hulls but I don't think the demad is there as I don't think a lot of folks reload the 410. I started with a Lee loader and switched to a Mec along the way. I'm always in the garbage cans at the range looking for 410 hulls as the 410's are fun little shooters.

Beagler410 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2012, 02:41:50 PM »

Iowa,

Look up ballistic products stretch wads they make a good 11/16 was called "stretch" for the new 3" 410 shells. The lil gun is extremely clean an works great to seat the wad in the small cases.

I will test them at a distance once I find the perfect load may be awhile. I have shot rabbits at 30-3( in the open with factory loads so I am hoping to get one that is consistent enough to normall achieve this.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2012, 03:59:23 PM »

Quote from: Beagler410 on March 12, 2012, 02:41:50 PM

Iowa,

Look up ballistic products stretch wads they make a good 11/16 was called "stretch" for the new 3" 410 shells. The lil gun is extremely clean an works great to seat the wad in the small cases.

I will test them at a distance once I find the perfect load may be awhile. I have shot rabbits at 30-3( in the open with factory loads so I am hoping to get one that is consistent enough to normall achieve this.

Thanks Beagler

I did not know they had those wads, I hope they have a picture of them on their website. Looks like I need to try some of that Lil gun I have. I hope you post your results with the BP stretch wads.

jem44357 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:09:39 PM »

Good info.

tigerbight · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2012, 10:09:13 AM »

Yes very good info. I picked up 2 new contender barrels for myself. 1 is the super 16 the other 21" smooth bore. I have purchased 2 box of 3" shells Remington & Winchester to get started. A lanes reloading kit to reload the shells is on its way. Has anyone used the stretch wads with lil gun? I'll be useing these for Rabbit, Ptarmigan, and tree rats. So looking for the magic formula for best performance for the 410. I will be useing one for my Halibut gun for those barn door we drag up from time to time.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2012, 10:33:17 AM »

The top pattern looks good. My Contender does about the same with Winchester Super X #6's. Used it to take a pheasant over a dog this year, about a 15 - 20 yard shot. Guy I was hunting with was impressed until I admitted I was using a shot shell, and not a 45 Colt round like I had told him I was..

Larry

spinafish · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2012, 10:53:34 AM »

Too funny. A buddy of mine slipped a slug into his dads shotgun when quail hunting once upon a time. On the next covey rise his dad dropped the first bird of a double with bird shot and destroyed the second with a slug. Dad didn't think it too humorous!

tigerbight · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2012, 12:22:25 PM »

Both are great stories. I looked up the stretch wad. Found some reload data with the lil gun powder, and a nice write up on bird-lethality. A good start anyways been almost 40 years since I hunted with a 410.

tigerbight · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2012, 07:25:01 PM »

Ordered some stretch wads and Win waa410hs, picked up Win 209 primers and west coast # 6 shot. lil gun on hand. Headed out to the river to shoot the factory Remington and Win HS #6 shot shells. When the wads come in I'll reload the 2 hulls. I was suprised when I sat the 2 brands side by side Win HS are longer. next to them is a Win 2 1/2 HS as well. My hand reloader came in as well shale see how they work.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2012, 08:24:56 AM »

Tigerbight, I appreciate the pics, keep us updated on your progress with the 410. Thats an interesting looking handloader for the little shotshell, I'll be curious how it works for you loading your empty hulls. Also what you think of your 2 barrels.

tigerbight · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:43:52 AM »

The kit is a Lee clone. I watched the video on you tube for lee works the same. I will be out and pattern both barrels at 5,10, 15, 20 and as far as needed to check groups with standard factory loads #6 shot. Then I will follow up with my loads diffrent wads. all with # 6 shot. much more to come.

tigerbight · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2012, 01:51:30 PM »

Winchester wads WAA410HS and BP Stretch 36 wads came in. Been in the -20s here. Hope to get out around monday, and test some wads. Took a few pictures of the wads.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2012, 08:59:30 AM »

Will the BP Stretch wads hold 11/16 oz of shot? How much more shot will they hold than the Winchester wads?

tigerbight · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2012, 09:38:33 PM »

Ok loaded some hulls the win wads will allow more shot to be placed in the shell. The BP wad is thicker and a bit taller so it takes up more room. I will shoot both reloads tomorrow.

tigerbight · « **Reply #20 on:** December 25, 2012, 04:47:51 PM »

I did some shooting today. I was impressed with the bp wad. In a 3" shell the BP wad Holds just under 11/16 shot, but the load held a tighter pattern. The win wad held a bit over 11/16 oz shot the wad is thinner with 3 peddles so the pattern was not as tight.

jem44357 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2012, 02:01:23 AM »

Nice job tigerbight,
I am very interested in this as I would love to hunt turkey/deer with a 45/410.
Congrats
Jim

tigerbight · « **Reply #22 on:** December 26, 2012, 03:42:20 PM »

I will shoot more and from a greater distance. My wife and I were on a drive on the river, and lost track of time. The powder was lil gun. I picked up some win 296 today I'll load up some of the 296 powder. I don,t have a crono setup yet but I have worked up to loads others have shot close to 1300 fps.

Iowa Fox · « **Reply #23 on:** December 28, 2012, 10:06:18 AM »

tigerbight, thanks for the pics and info. How do you like that handloader so far?

tigerbight · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2012, 08:41:48 PM »

Iowa Fox,
They work very well so far. The kit is a clone from the lee kit lanes did a great job on them. I use 2 scoopers from my lee kit for powder and shot. When I crimp I push the folds with my thumb nail then use a 12 mm socket to push over the started crimp. It helps make a great start on the fold crimp. Then place the shell in the holder and finish the crimp with the rod. The crimp rod has a expander on the T end to open up the shell for the powder wad and shot. I use a small funnel and my scales to get exact measurments on powder and shot. I took a few pictures of the kit and finished shells.